I don't really like to watch historical drama movies but I do because it gives me a chance to do further research and learn about the people who are in the movie.
THIS movie was actually something new. Why you ask? Because it is about a former slave who helped start the civil war, who was never mentioned in our history books. He was there at the Raid on Harper's Ferry in 1859. The plan was to take the town's federal armory and, ultimately, ignite a nationwide uprising against slavery. What isn't mentioned is that the leader, John Brown was accompanied by a runaway slave by the name of Shields "Emperor" Green and yes.. that is his name. According to the movie; not sure if it's true: His mother said his grandfather was a king, thus making him a prince, an emperor NOT a slave. So she named him Shields. He managed to escape slavery which he was born into in South Carolina. He traveled the Underground Railroad where he eventually met up with John Brown, Dangerfield Newby and Frederick Douglass.
This movie is a dramatization of what happened from the time just before he escapes and continues on. Of course, non of the movie dramatizations can be really proven as he was the only person who met with the people along the way however the movie itself was quite intriguing. He is depicted as a strong, humble and almost regal slave who helps to run the plantation he worked on until his master loses it to gambling. Again, no knows if that is true or not. However, it shows that not all slave owners were the same. Not all were mean and hateful, not all were nice and friendly they were just human, living in a time that was different.
It also showed that not all slaves were ignorant and passive. Some of the slaves in this movie were shown as smart, some with the sense to learn how to read without being caught. Some knowing how to calculate how much seed is needed per acre in order to complete the work. The women slaves were strong and held their heads high.
I love the different interpretations of the different sides of the coin. Because we are not all the same. Sometimes our personalities burn stronger than ones ability to break us down. That struck me the most in this movie.
The action was awesome a lot of running of course but the horse chases and the gunfights were all just amazing. Costumes and makeup were on point.. Nothing seemed off. There was a scene where Frederick Douglass came on camera and I KNEW RIGHT AWAY... THAT IS FREDERICK DOUGLASS!!! That's how good the costume and makeup department did.
Musical scoring was good but honestly I didn't notice the music until the very end when the credits rolled. The very last song... That voice. It brought tears to my eyes and hit me straight in my heart and I felt it.. all the pain and suffering.
Give this movie a chance.
I gave it 4 stars on Netflix and 8 on IMDb
Review of Emperor
