Amistad (5/8) Movie CLIP - A Call to the Ancestors (1997) HD

CLIP DESCRIPTION:
Cinque (Djimon Hounsou) explains to John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins) that he will call up the help of his ancestors in their case before the Supreme Court.

FILM DESCRIPTION:
This Steven Spielberg-directed exploration into a long-ago episode in African-American history recounts the trial that followed the 1839 rebellion aboard the Spanish slave ship Amistad and captures the complex political maneuverings set in motion by the event. Filmed in New England and Puerto Rico, the 152-minute drama opens with a pre-credit sequence showing Cinque (Djimon Hounsou) and the other Africans in a violent takeover of the Amistad. Captured, they are imprisoned in New England where former slave Theodore Joadson (Morgan Freeman), viewing the rebels as "freedom fighters," approaches property lawyer Baldwin (Matthew McConaughey), who attempts to prove the Africans were "stolen goods" because they were kidnapped. Running for re-election, President Martin Van Buren (Nigel Hawthorne) overturns the lower court's decision in favor of the Africans. Former President John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins) is reluctant to become involved, but when the case moves on to the Supreme Court, Adams stirs emotions with a powerful defense. The storyline occasionally cuts away to Spain where the young Queen Isabella (Anna Paquin) plays with dolls; she later debated the Amistad case with seven U.S. presidents. The character portrayed by Morgan Freeman is a fictional composite of several historical figures. For authentic speech, the Africans speak the Mende language, subtitled during some scenes but not others.

CREDITS:
TM & © Dreamworks (1997)
Cast: Djimon Hounsou
Director: Steven Spielberg
Producers: Debbie Allen, Bob Cooper, Bonnie Curtis, Paul Deason, Laurie MacDonald, Walter F. Parkes, Tim Shriver, Steven Spielberg, Colin Wilson
Screenwriter: David Franzoni

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HIT US UP:

[NealX_Gaming]

One of the most beautiful things about this scene is that is got Adams himself to think about his own ancestors... recalled in the following scene where he stares at the bust of his own father.

[pjsretrogamesmusicandwrass]

Djimon Hounsou's acting, the emotion goes right through you ❤️

[mjc]

His statement is so profound if it does not touch your soul, you don't have one.

[Bull]

Honsou deserved to get an oscar nod for this movie

[mkfd]

Gives me chills when he says “for they are the whole reason I exist at all”

[Uzee_U]

This scene does a good job showing the audience a sense of deep African spirituality ✊🏾

[RedRooster]

The one quote I use time and time again when I'm doubting myself and don't think I can move forward in my life.

[alansilvestri]

And it was in this moment, this seminal moment, that John Quincy Adams knew he was dealing with a being who was more than just a kidnapped, stolen man...that he was sentient. 

[TheCoolProfessor]

You cannot judge a wise man by the color of his skin.

[elsakristina]

In case anyone's wondering, he's speaking the Mende language.

[adaorahabor]

Chiwetel Ejiofor( 12 yrs of slave). ... the interpreter, Great actor..One of the best in Hollywood.

[AquarielCharm]

"We won't be going in there alone." I met my ancestors. I will call into the past, far back to the beginning of time, and beg them to come and help me at the judgement. I will reach back and draw them into me, and they must come, for at this moment I am the whole reason they have existed at all."

[MulindwaSekanwagi]

This scene is so powerful, the statement makes you thin back and calls upon them

[lerothodinyatso]

Let's us honor our ancestors at all times 🖤🙏🏻

[MichaelTolbert]

"I will call into the past far back to the beginning of time and beg them to come and help me at the judgment. I will reach back and draw them into me and they must come for at this moment I am the whole reason they have existed at all."

[japanesespiderman_]

We don't judge people by their skin color, and their religion, but by their heart, their mind and their action.

[ashurthegreatest]

RIP to all those that died under the cruel regime of slavery

[grizzfan]

How often do people in today's world, no matter their heritage or culture, call back into the past for their ancestors' help and guidance when things become challenging?

[leedent]

It's weird too because John Quincy Adams used to whip himself because he thought he was a failure

[FrankGina]

In my opinion one of Sir Anthony Hopkins best performances!!