12 Years a Slave · written by John Ridley and Steve McQueen · 2013

Solomon reunites awkwardly with Anne and their grown children; he meets his namesake grandson, and Anne recognizes the flower he burned into his arm before embracing him.

Scene 211 of 211 · ≈ 2 min on screen · Last scene of act three

Five-Act Structure: Denouement
Save the Cat: Final Image
Story Circle: Change
Solomon
Margaret
Margaret'S Husband
Anne

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 2:20 into a 2:22 film

The story so farBefore scene 211

After being kidnapped from New York and sold into slavery, Solomon Northup uses his skills and carefully placed trust to survive and seek a way back to his family.

Scenes 1–29
Solomon lives freely in Saratoga as a husband, father, worker, and musician.
Scenes 30–65
Kidnapped and held under the imposed name Platt, Solomon must preserve his life and identity.
Scenes 66–123
He enters plantation life under Ford, passes through Tibeats’s violence and the near-lynching, and is transferred to Epps.
Scenes 124–199
Under Epps, Solomon works and watches for a route home; Armsby betrays his letter attempt, and Patsey’s punishment leaves him without a safe path out.
Scenes 200–206
Bass’s arrival gives Solomon a person willing to hear his account and carry letters to his northern friends.
Scene 207
Bass reports no answer and withdraws from the danger, leaving Solomon without confirmation that the letters will bring help.
Scenes 208–210
Northup follows Bass’s name, confirms the letter, and brings the sheriff to verify Solomon’s identity.
Just before
Scene 208
At the Marksville post office, Henry Northup hears the postmaster disparage abolitionists but mention the local carpenter Bass, then asks where to find him.
Scene 209
Henry Northup asks Bass about a Marksville letter from Solomon Northup; Bass confirms he wrote it and welcomes the chance to help rescue him.
Scene 210
A sheriff verifies Solomon’s identity with his family’s names, then Northup claims him as a free man; Solomon embraces Patsey before leaving the plantation with the rescuers.
Scene 211

211INT. NORTHUP HOUSE - DAY

It is a scene reminiscent of the top of the show. The Northup family gathered. Anne, again, in her finest attire. We see, also, the Northup children: Elizabeth, who is now twenty two, Margaret who is now twenty -SHE CARRIES WITH HER A BUNDLE - and Alonzo who is seventeen. Also present is MARGARET'S HUSBAND. The family waits patiently, dutifully...but anxiously.

THE DOOR TO THE ROOM OPENS. It is Mr. Northup. He looks from face to face, makes sure all are prepared for what's to come. Northup steps from the room. ...A moment later SOLOMON ENTERS. He is clean, well dressed, but he bears the scares of his time away.

Anne rises to greet him, but holds back. All around, the body language of the family is stiff and awkward. They are, after all - after twelve years - little more than familiar strangers.

In an effort to minimize the shock of the moment, Solomon tries to remain emotionally detached. To Anne:

SOLOMON

I apologize for my appearance. I

have had a difficult time of

things these past many years.

Solomon looks among his family. Trying to recall them as much as they look to see familiarity within him.

SOLOMON (CONT'D)

Elizabeth. Margaret. Alonzo.

You do not recognize me, do you?

How could you? When I was removed

you were but seven; a little

prattling girl playing with her

toys. Now...you've grown to

womanhood. And who is this?

MARGARET

He is my husband.

SOLOMON

Husband?

MARGARET'S HUSBAND

It is very good to meet you, sir.

Solomon almost breaks, but he keeps himself together.

SOLOMON