It’s Friday night and you are looking for a movie to watch. Watch Harriet. I could tell you who is in it, what it’s about but for this movie, I don’t think that will sell it. If you read my movie reviews and listen to my recommendations you’ll already know what puts a film in the recommended watch category. This film is in the best films I’ve ever seen category, stands head and shoulders above most of the films I deemed worthy of a review.

I put in Google the top most glamourous, stylish inspirational movies and a British Vogue list comes up, Sophia Loren The Millionairess, Audrey Hepburn Breakfast at Tiffany’s Anne Hathaway Devil Wears Prada, Gwyneth Paltrow in Emma, Emma Stone In Poor Things, a possibility I hadn’t seen, Tar about a conductor, starring Cate Blanchett I didn’t fancy and Maria staring Angelina Jolie; that was the top 7-8 usual suspects, we looked at Crossing a BBC film which we felt positive about, watched the opening credits and then discovered it’s subtitled, we weren’t in the mood for the work of a foreign language film, but will probably revisit.

How we stumbled across Harriet, I am not entirely sure, American Civil War historical drama about the abolitionist Harriet Tubman wouldn’t normally be my thing. I find American history dry, and wouldn’t normally lean towards a story about injustice not because I am not interested but would find it disturbing and depressing especially considering what is happening in the US under the current administration. Have we not learned anything??

I even began watching with the idea I’d turn off if it became too much.

On the contrary this one woman film carried by the spectacular Cynthia Erivo, she was nominated for an academy award and I don’t know why she didn’t get it, had me in it’s grip from beginning to end and is possibly one of the most magnificent pieces of historical story telling I have ever watched. Rene Zellweger scooped the best actress statue for Judy in 2020 which was a great performance. To my mind Cynthia Erivo’s passionate gutsy portrayal of this anti slavery heroine was better by a mile.

So good I think everyone should learn about Harriett Tubman and what better way than to sit engrossed and enraptured by the power of the tale and the equally powerful lead actress and ensemble cast in 90 minutes of cinematic magic. Whilst not entirely historically accurate; Edward Brodess’s son Gideon created for the story as was the slave catcher and Harriet’s friend Marie, the Free Black woman and property owner created to show the contrast between slavery and free society in Philadelphia at the time, these edits for cinematic impact didn’t spoil the film in anyway. (Although some critics did point out the inaccuracies.)

For every wrong that was committed and endured in 19th century America this isn’t a remotely sad story, and my it should be, we should weep for the atrocities committed and yet from this frankly unbelievable story of self reliance, resistance, resilience and bravery told by director Kasi Lemmons who also co wrote the screenplay you can only feel inspired and motivated to be a better human.

Not surprising a women told this story in such a clever way and whilst religion “God” is woven into the script as the driving force behind Harriet Tubmans unrelenting courage her simple mantra “Freedom or Death” and her deeply in tune independent spirit gives deep thinkers and philosophers so much more to connect with.

It’s a very clever and deep script and allows movie lovers the opportunity to learn, feel and grow inside the most painful of difficult and horrific circumstances.

I won’t tell you what happens as that would spoil it. It’s a journey you must go on yourself.

It’s not remotely sad, even though the film tells a story full of pain it is possibly the most uplifting film I’ve seen in a long time.

Erivo is so magnificent you forget it’s her, you see Harriet Tubman in every word she utters, every mile she runs, every enemy she challenges and every person she loves.

David and Goliath epic. Harriet a born leader operating in the most gruelling and cruel conditions fuelled by instinct and faith in her greatest power and knowledge her greatest enemy is fear.

And so she walks, runs and survives to become the only woman to ever lead an armed battalion during the American Civil War.

I cannot tell you how stupendous this film is. A complete inspiration and education about our own internal power and capability if only we have to courage to stand alone for what is right.

Thank you to the cast and crew and everyone involved in making this fabulous movie. I am sure it wasn’t easy to get it made but oh how blessed we are it was.

Remember this “Freedom or Death” and really what else is there.