His fellow actors are almost as good. Newcomer Hounsou brings the needed intensity to his role, while McConaughey displays his customary low-key charm. Unfortunately, Freeman doesn't get nearly enough to do, nor do Pete Postlethwaite and David Paymer, relegated to relatively minor supporting roles.

Most of their work is undone by Spielberg, who directs things as if he has a very tenuous grasp on the subject matter, and scripter Dennis Franzoni, who isn't above maudlin sentimentality and corny courtroom speeches.

Also, his script never addresses one particularly troublesome matter. In the film, Spielberg portrays the ship revolt in a brutally violent manner — showing the slaves butchering all but two of the ship's crew — and then tries to make heroes out of the Africans. Certainly their plight makes them sympathetic, but the circumstances of their mutiny definitely don't make them heroic.

"Amistad" is rated R for considerable violence and gore (most of it in the film's first 15 minutes), some full male and female nudity, a brief scene of gruesome torture and a couple of mild profanities.