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View 12 Years a Slave film page

Poster artwork for 12 Years a Slave — Original poster artwork · Great Cinema Master List

Spoiler-free premise

In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.

Read expanded premiseLonger, still spoiler-free

In 1841, free New York musician Solomon Northup is deceived, kidnapped in Washington, and sold under another name into Southern slavery. He moves among owners including William Ford and Edwin Epps while trying to preserve identity and reach home.

Why it belongs

Steve McQueen makes slavery's duration and bodily power inescapable through long takes, landscape, labor, and Ejiofor's watchful Solomon.

Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case

A violin, chains, cotton fields, soap, letters, plantation songs, and held shots of punishment make survival materially meticulous. Chiwetel Ejiofor's face preserves thought and identity inside a system demanding performance.

Major award record

Metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20

Academy Awards3 wins2014 · official ceremony record ↗

Best Picture2014 · Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Steve McQueen and Anthony Katagas, Producersofficial ceremony record ↗Writing (Adapted Screenplay)2014 · Screenplay by John Ridleyofficial ceremony record ↗Actress in a Supporting Role2014 · Lupita Nyong'oofficial ceremony record ↗

Golden Globes1 win2014 · official film record ↗

Best Motion Picture - Drama2014 · 12 Years a Slaveofficial film record ↗

BAFTA2 wins2014 · official BAFTA 2014 Film Awards results ↗

Best Film2014 · Steve McQueenofficial BAFTA 2014 Film Awards results ↗Best Actor2014 · Chiwetel Ejioforofficial BAFTA 2014 Film Awards results ↗

Totals include every recorded competitive win. Only Picture or top-film honors, Direction, Screenplay, and lead or supporting performances are named.

Institutional reference ranks

Sight & Sound—IMDb Top 250195AFI 100—

Reference metadata only · not part of the 40/40/20 score

Great Cinema Master List scores

Greatness8.1

Engagement8.5

Ease8.3

English · R
Narrative Feature
Mood: Serious & Intense