Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives

Feb 10, 2003

1h 15m

★ 5.9

In their words, our shared history.

Overview

When the Civil War ended in 1865, more than four million slaves were set free. Over 70 years later, the memories of some 2,000 slave-era survivors were transcribed and preserved by the Library of Congress. These first-person anecdotes, ranging from the brutal to the bittersweet, have been brought to vivid life in this unique HBO documentary special, featuring the on-camera voices of over a dozen top African-American actors.

Genres

History

Documentary

Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives Trailers

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Cast

Narrator (voice)

Whoopi Goldberg

Angela Bassett

Michael Boatman

Roscoe Lee Browne

Don Cheadle

Ossie Davis

Ruby Dee

Robert Guillaume

Jasmine Guy

Samuel L. Jackson

CCH Pounder

LaTanya Richardson Jackson

The rebellious Thracian Spartacus, born and raised a slave, is sold to Gladiator trainer Batiatus. After weeks of being trained to kill for the arena, Spartacus turns on his owners and leads the other slaves in rebellion. As the rebels move from town to town, their numbers swell as escaped slaves join their ranks. Under the leadership of Spartacus, they make their way to southern Italy, where they will cross the sea and return to their homes.

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Cast

Narrator (voice)

Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives

Overview

Genres

Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives Trailers