Search - The Middle Passage on DVD

Gloria B. (glowbird) from SPOKANE, WA
Reviewed on 11/18/2022...

Middle Passage is narrated by Djimon Hounsou, and is at once beautiful, tragic, and poetic."Middle Passage" refers to the route of slave ships that brought captured Africans to the new world to be enslaved. The journey was horrendous--many died en route and they endured unspeakable horrors on the voyage. This is not a film to watch as "entertainment," but education. Not for the weak of mind or spirit, and possibly unsuitable for young children. It is well worth the watch.

2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.

Eye opener

MaryBeth Patterson | Ludlow, KY | 10/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I used this video in my sophomore World History class when we were studying the beginnings of sea trade in the 1500s. This film was a major eye opener for my kids, as well as a vehicle allowing me to learn a few new things. Most of my students knew little or nothing about where and how the slave trade began, let alone the "contribution" made to this hideous practice by those who would become our nations forbears. They do now. This film gave us a lot to talk about and was truly both an eye opener and a paradigm shifter. An excellent film in content, both historically and cinematically. I highly recommend this to any audience with a maturity level to handle the extreme emotion evoked by the suffering and heartache laid bare on the screen. Parents and teachers - be ready to discuss some hard truths with your kids. Excellently done!"

Not good for middle school students, better for high school

Naimah | 05/24/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Even though this is presented as the story of a slave, it's not really set up with a plot, characters etc. My students found it hard to follow because it is lacking typical narrative elements - and it is presented more like a philosophical & reflective journey. The excessive voice-over narration and advanced vocabulary were also confusing for the students. It did not keep the student's attention. I think this is film is better suited for older students."

OUTSTANDING!Everyone shares the blame for this mess!!

KerrLines | Baltimore,MD | 03/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Everyone is to blame for the holocaust of millions of innocent people in the slave trade;such is the sad and sorry conclusion eloquently reached in this poetic rumination by one African manslave who endured the betrayal of HIS OWN PEOPLE into the hands of greedy Europeans who carried him and fellow Africans to The Americas.The slave route was known as The Middle Passge.What this particular man notes that what is worse?-the treatment he received by the slaveship seamen, or the abduction and genocide that he experienced at the hands of his fellow Africans? On a 120+ days voyage in deplorable conditions aboard a French Vessel, this one man speaks for the 600+ souls with him and the untold millions before and after him.MOVING,POIGNENT and MAGNIFICENTLY done by HBO and narrated by Djimon Hounsou,who was the Golden Globe nominated actor for his role as Cinque in AMISTAD.This narrative film was written by Walter Mosely of "The Devil in the Blue Dress" fame.Excellent companion films would be the current AMAZING GRACE,A RESPECTABLE TRADE,AMISTAD,ROOTS and AMISTAD:The Documentary."