Washington, in his best performance since the black-story-white-viewpoint misfire of Cry Freedom, is exceptionally good as a fugitive slave whose tense relationship with Matthew Broderick charges the film's emotional core.

| Original Score: 8/10 | Jul 26, 2022

This is a sad and gallant chapter, and a first-rate movie.

| Jul 25, 2022

The film's chief virtue is its spectacular choreography. The final battle... is a striking combination of dynamism and clarity.

| Jan 16, 2020

Exceptionally well-rendered and emotive war drama.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 6, 2010

It is the movie's often awesome imagery and a bravely soaring choral score by James Horner that transfigure the reality, granting it the status of necessary myth.

| Jan 6, 2010

A stirring and long overdue tribute to the black soldiers who fought for the Union cause in the Civil War.

| Jun 5, 2008

A pretty watchable and always interesting period film, well photographed by English cinematographer Freddie Francis.

| Feb 9, 2007

The stark clarity of Freddie Francis' cinematography combined with Zwick's intimate style evokes immediacy and fear.

| Jun 24, 2006

[A] fabulous historical re-creation.

| Oct 1, 2003

This is a good, moving, complicated film.

| Original Score: 4/5 | May 20, 2003

Matthew Broderick [is] catastrophically miscast as Shaw.

Full Review | May 13, 2001

It's hard not to get carried along.

| Jan 1, 2000

A strong and valuable film.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jan 1, 2000

Generally engrossing and always well-acted.

Full Review | Jan 1, 2000