A biography of abolitionist Harriet Tubman has been in the works for several years and for good reason. It’s one of several stories from America’s history that is both incredible and inspiring. We’re finally getting one just in time for an already crowded Awards Season.
The first trailer for “Harriet” has dropped and it looks to be covering a lot of intriguing ground. It starts with Tubman’s escape from slavery before showing the organization of the Underground Railroad and the daring rescue missions to lead slaves to freedom. Cynthia Erivo is an exciting choice to play Tubman but no one else in the cast really captures your attention. Still there is potential here for a really good biopic. Hopefully it won’t have Hollywood’s fingerprints all over it.
“Harriet” releases November 1st. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.
Keith & the Movies 
Harriet is a hero in my eyes. I’m shocked it’s taken this long to make a movie about her.
I really hope they’ve done her justice. It’s an important movie.
I do too. There is such a great story to tell. Hopefully they won’t make it too ‘Hollywood’.
I’d be ok even with that. I just mean not changing events too much or making things complicated. Then I’d be really mad.
I think this looks interesting. I don’t understand why people are so upset over Cynthia Erivo being cast as Tubman because she isn’t American (which I never knew and surprised by in a good way).
People are upset at that??? Wow!!! That’s ridiculous. I’m much more concerned about Hollywood making more showy than authentic. Her story doesn’t need embellishment. Trailer looks promising though.
Yeah. I’m over these people who are so easily triggered. Honestly, if they can’t handle it. Tough shit.
Agreed. That’s not something remotely worthy of outrage.
My expectations aren’t that high, honestly. I think this could be more Hollywoodized than needed. But Erivo will probably make this movie at least good from Tubman’s perspective and I think they nailed the casting.
She’s definitely a high point. I hope it surprises us because Tubman has a story that deserves the high quality big screen treatment.
It looks a fascinating story, and I think it’s a positive thing to see a slavery film focused on resistance rather than suffering: it’s valuable to shows life honestly but not to risk the leaning into exploitation that’s possible with depersonalised depictions of ongoing pain. I’m concerned about it potentially being too Hollywood as you’ve mentioned – the trailer suggested a little lack of nuance in its acting and too much a distance from the lead – but it seems like it’ll be informative and perhaps even encouraging regardless
Great point – “a slavery film focused on resistance rather than suffering”. I think that is spot-on. And while it probably can’t avoid some depictions of suffering, her story of resistance and resilience should certainly be the main focus.
Thanks Keith, and let’s hope indeed that it is the main focus as the trailer suggests! I’ll definitely be interested to see this upon its release and find out the approach taken with the story
Could be epic…. I kind of wish in the previews they showed a little less.
It seems like a lot of trailers have had that problem lately. Brightburn was the worst case of it. But even Hobbs & Shaw showed too much.