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

Back in the ward, Solomon begs God to end his suffering and take his life.

Scene 84 of 211 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Solomon

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 51 min into a 2:22 film

The story so farBefore scene 84

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 81
A ward worker drains Solomon’s smallpox sores as he watches the sicker Clemens and imagines the death that may await him.
Scene 82
Clemens dies and the hospital bell tolls; near death, Solomon stares at sunlight refracted through the window.
Scene 83
In a memory, Solomon’s family admires the stained-glass flower Elizabeth made for him, while he prays over the light and his faith.
Scene 84
This scene

84INT. HOSPITAL/PATIENTS ROOM - CONTINUOUS

We have returned from the flashback. Solomon remains in bed, looking far worse than just previously. Though his lips move barely if at all, we hear the payer coming from him.

SOLOMON

Did I not believe my gifts were of

your grace and not my creation? I

have always been faithful, Lord.

I ask you reward my devotion. I

beg of you only one thing: I pray

you end the suffering. Death is

better than all that waits. Take

me, Lord... Take my life. Lord.

...Lord?

BLACK