Movie #19: Harriet

We're back to watching movies again and thankfully, the library is up and running again. We started out with the movie, Harriet. It shows the life of Harriet Tubman. I knew that Harriet saved slaves, but I really didn't know her story until now.

She was a slave along with her mom, brothers, and sisters. Her dad and husband were free. Her sisters were sold off to another plantation years before. Before he died, their master had promised to free Harriet's mom and the rest of her family when she turned 46, but alas she's in her 50s. Since he died, his wife and son won't honor his wishes. Harriet who goes by the name, "Minty" is the son's favorite slave. She gets visions from God of the future.

Harriet wants to be free. She decides to go escape on her own. She's directed to talk to the local minister, even though he doesn't seem sympathetic to fellow African Americans. He gives her the name of contacts to help her in Philadelphia. Her master's son tracks her and traps her on a bridge. But she's not going back, she jumps off the bridge. She wakes up hours later, coughing up water. She picks her free name as Harriet Tubman.

Once she arrives in Philly and with the help of her contact, she gets lodging and a job. She works a year as a maid. It's an emotional year without her family and husband. She goes back for him. Unfortunately, she learns that he's remarried with a baby on the way. He was told she died. She is absolutely gutted. Instead, her family sends her with her brothers, their wives, their baby, and some other friends. She hadn't planned to take so many. With God's help, they cross a large rover and get to Philly.

Over time, there's a large bounty for "Moses," who they're calling the person helping slaves run away. That doesn't slow down Harriet, she's passionate about helping free slaves. Laws change and people are allowed to go get their slaves back. This brings violence and trouble to Philly, as well. Harriet looses her close friend to someone looking for Harriet.

Harriet frees her mom. They all move to Canada. This was a great movie. It wasn't overly graphic, but still showed what slaves went through. This is a must-see movie. Check out the trailer here.