Harriet Movie Review

Harriet, the Movie

The real-life adventures of Harriet Tubman come to a theater near you.

By Karyn Lee



Harriet is not your average slave movie. There is no horror and gore, which makes it family friendly. The film is a romanticized yet compelling account of the life of Harriet Tubman, the ex-slave whose dangerous work on the Underground Railroad helped transport escaped slaves to freedom. Though important because of its subject matter, the film comes off as melodramatic at times.

Directed by Kassi Lemmons (Eve's Bayou, Black Nativity), the film stars the British actor Cynthia Erivo as Tubman, whose intense performance is compelling. The motto of the film is “be free or die,” and Erivo brings that motto to life on the big screen.

The movie recounts the young adult life of Harriet Tubman. Araminta “Minty” Ross was born into slavery in Maryland and would later take the name Harriet Tubman once she became free. Minty is abused and forced to watch her sisters get sold into slavery, far away from her and her family. In the film the story is told that Minty is beaten so badly by her master as a child that she begins to have spells. She falls into a coma for months due to the head trauma and when she awakens, she begins to have spells in which she would randomly pass out.

The portrayal of the spells in the film is quite dramatic and unbelievable. It is portrayed as if she could see the future when she has a spell and passes out in the middle of the climax of a scene. These spells happen several times during the film and serve as transitional points for the movie.

Minty lives on a plantation with her mother (Vanessa Bell Calloway). Her Father (Clarke Peters) and husband John Tubman (Zackary Momoh) are both free. Minty believes that emancipation is near, due to a promise made by a slave master to her family. That promise is not kept, and she is told that she will never see freedom by an evil slave master’s son. That is not something that Minty is going to accept, so she escapes to freedom in Pennsylvania. The journey was 100 miles away, but she is able to get there with the help of the Reverend (Vondie Curtis-Hall) and the prayers of her family.

Once Minty reaches freedom in Pennsylvania she meets a man named William Still (Leslie Odom Jr.), an abolitionist and writer. Upon meeting him she chooses the name Harriet Tubman. She is helped by a free woman named Marie Buchanon (Janelle Monae) who runs an inn and helps the newly freed Harriet get a job. Harriet lives as a free woman for two years before she takes the journey back to Maryland to help her family escape. Upon returning she finds that the husband that she left behind has taken another wife. That’s when it became clear for Harriet that she has a bigger purpose.

In the film, every time Harriet has a spell, she sees a vision of somebody that she needs to help. Eventually Harriet joins the Anti-Slavery Society in Philadelphia and later becomes a conductor for the Underground Railroad, where she works hard—putting her life in danger— to free over 70 slaves. Though emotional and believable, characters like Marie Buchanon and William Still are a bit underdeveloped. It is never really made clear exactly who they were. Although they help Harriet on her journey, it is not clear if they are real or fictional characters.



The set is simple and seems low budget, making it feel almost like a made-for-TV film. Because of the unchanging set, the film sometimes feels like a play.

Everyone needs to know the story of Harriet Tubman. Harriet brings to life the emotional journey that Tubman embarks on as a young adult and displays how many lives she touches.

Harriet pays tribute to an American hero who is a friend and ally to many. She endures heartbreak, abuse and many trials, but she relies on God to bring her through. Harriet shows a woman who put herself to the side to help others.

The film is suspenseful and enjoyable to watch. Despite some flaws, it is a movie that all should see simply because it brings an iconic historical figure to life.