Here's What Harriet Got Wrong About Harriet Tubman's Life

The biographical film "Harriet" about American abolitionist and activist Harriet Tubman is already generating Oscar buzz for Cynthia Erivo’s portrayal of the title character. The movie opens on a plantation in Maryland and ends with Erivo’s character leading an armed expedition of 150 Black soldiers into the famous Combahee River Raid during the American Civil War. The movie covers many famous and infamous moments in American history during the 19th century. But when a Hollywood movie attempts to recreate history, it also tends to bend the truth, even if just a little bit. Here’s what "Harriet" got wrong about Harriet Tubman’s life.

#HarrietTubman #Harriet #Movie

My name is... | 0:00
The mystery of John Tubman | 1:32
Retracing her steps | 2:19
Sparking an escape | 3:09
The visions of Harriet | 4:14
Gideon Brodess | 5:43
Marie Buchanon | 6:48
Bigger Long | 8:11
The Fugitive Slave Act | 9:30

[GrungeHQ]

Which historical figure should they make a biopic of next?

[maderightamerica]

Harriet Tubman is a true American hero whereas, Hollywood is the complete opposite. God bless you Harriet Tubman. Rest in Peace.

[annpayton]

Gosh If Only The Original Slaves Could Tell Their Horrific, Agonizing Stories✊🏾🙌🏿✊🏾

[Kunsoo]

Actually, it's the second feature film about her. A Woman Called Moses aired in the 1970s.

[TheGreekPianist]

I don’t know why people are focusing on the negatives of this film. I think it’s very inspirational, powerful, and gave Harriet justice. I really loved it, and I hope Cynthia Erivo wins the Academy for her performance! ♥️

[kurthoman]

"A Woman Called Moses" a made for TV movie 1978 starring Cecily Tyson is what I believe was a good an accurate presentation of the life of Harriet Tubman. The real problem with that movie is the very poor film quality back then. Most scenes are filmed at night which was the safest time of the day for Harriet to travel. The scenes are so dark the screen is nearly blank. I would love to see this movie recreated using modern digital technology in order the make the movie much more enjoyable to watch.

[mefirst]

they dont want to acknowledge she outsmarted those slaveholders

[karenreynolds]

I liked the movie. If this encourages people to read more about her and help her not to be forgotten, great! Many movies take liberties to facilitate the story line. If this were a documentary, which it is not, I don't think as many people would watch it. If the truth be told, most details of movies are forgotten over time except to the few passionate fans. She was a great woman so much so that there is even enough material to make a second movie.

[detroitplayboi]

Well this is a movie, not a documentary, so um there’s that. 🤷🏾‍♂️

[professormccullough]

Of course the film has historical inaccuracies in favor of Hollywood. But for the comments about the “white savior, ” saving Harriet from the Black bounty hunter, please realize that... (spoiler alert)





He killed the black bounty hunter so that that he hurt Harriet himself. He wanted Harriet to suffer at his own feet. So no, he was no “white savior.” Use the plot of the story to find your own inner strength. Focus on the theme of not letting the opinion of others hinder you from your own truth. That’s what the biopic represents.

[Crow]

OMG, Disney owns this movie, right? Because this is a fairy tale and took liberties like Pocahontas. Wow. I knew I didn’t want to watch this. I’ll stick to the history books. Geez.

[chrisschauer]

Why would you presume to know more about Harriet's spiritual influence in her success than Harriet herself?

[queenbee]

“A woman called Moses “ was the first movie about Harriet Tubman.

[sadirajones]

Harriet Tubman had great visions. I have no doubt about this. She had a great deal of knowledge yes, but she followed her unseen Guides given to her by the Creator of the Universes. Please do not try to diminish this great ability bestowed upon her.

[roderickahairston]

This is no true biography of Harriet because it adds people that didn’t exist and as a fellow Marylander its sad. This woman’s life didn’t need added characters but truth 🤬

[dorothybrown]

As a little girl I used to sit down and listen to my grandmother tell stories about stories that her great-grandmother and grandmother told her about Moses the freeing of slaves so I know a lot of in this movie is made up but please do the real research and get the real story there's nothing like it rest in peace is Harriet Tubman my beautiful Heavenly angel

[stogler]

Dude if you’re going to water down her story don’t post this garbage.

[InfatuationFaze]

This movie is a damn shame and if you want to see it, firestick that mess. DO NOT give your money. And if you black and never read her autobiography, please do so and you will see why ✊🏾. The creators and actors should be ashamed of themselves for this blasphemous movie.

[TheWholeWorld]

This movie was a TRAVESTY and an INSULT! I get that movie sometimes take “liberties” with historical figures, but THIS dumpster fire was horrendously flawed. In the era of America’s GREAT SIN you make the BLACK MAN the antagonist!? Then you make the Slave owner the “white savior”!? Not to mention giving Harriet MCU-like super soldier serum abilities? Who the hell green lite this monstrosity?

[TSXDHLledaArtifacts]

The movie wasn't that bad. It wasn't meant to be a documentary. I thought it depicted her as a hero and gave people a better idea of what she REALLY complain, just retell the story more accurately if you don't like it