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

As Freeman’s cart crosses New Orleans, Solomon sees the scars, brands, shackles, and chain gangs that reveal slavery as an entrenched system.

Scene 66 of 211 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 42 min into a 2:22 film

The story so farBefore scene 66

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.
Just before
Scene 63
Robert dies from smallpox and the crew sews him into a blanket and throws him overboard; Solomon watches, then drops the mutiny knife into the river.
Scene 64
At New Orleans, Arthur’s legal owner secures his release and takes him away, while Solomon watches in vain for help.
Scene 65
At Freeman’s New Orleans market, Freeman imposes the name Platt on Solomon and carts the captives away; Ford’s purchase comes later.
Scene 66
This scene

66I/E. CART - LATER

Solomon is carted off along with the rest of "Burch's stock:" Eliza and her children, Clemens Ray, John and Solomon.

As they travel for the first time Solomon sees true and severe slavery. These are not the visiting servants, such as Jasper was back in Saratoga. These are humans held in strict bondage - herded like cattle, working in "chain gangs." Slaves are evident not merely by the color of their skin. The residue and accessories of slavery are everywhere. Blacks almost universally display scars - THICK AND HEAVY DEAD TISSUE FROM LACERATIONS THAT WERE LEFT UNTREATED - brands and are often missing limbs. Blacks are held in all kinds of shackles, from simple chains to elaborate bindings, to neck collars that are spiked. Some are muzzled or forced to wear bits. THESE IMAGES SHOULD BE A CONSTANT AND CONTINUAL CANVAS TO THE PIECE. EVER PRESENT, BUT NOT REALLY COMMENTED ON AS THEY ARE THE NORM. They should be a reminder that not only are people being oppressed, but that there is an entire system of oppression in place.