HF Emancipation (Will Smith Movie)

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First I've heard of this, figured to start a thread now.

In the movie, Will Smith would play a real-life historical figure named Peter, a runaway slave who needed to work his way out of the South and to the North where he eventually joined the Union army and continued to fight for the freedom of his people. Deadline notes that Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) is down to direct Emancipation, and has the bidding war occurring between Warner Bros. and Apple.

The thriller is based on a true story, fueled by an indelible image; when Peter showed his bare back during an Army medical examination, photos were taken of the scars from a whipping delivered by an overseer on the plantation owned by John and Bridget Lyons that nearly killed him. When the photo known as “the scourged back” was published by the Independent in May, 1863 and then in Harper’s Weekly‘s July 4 issue, it became indisputable proof of the cruelty and barbarity of slavery in America. The photo reached around the world, and legend has it that it made countries like France refuse to buy cotton from the South. It solidified the cause of abolitionists and prompted many free blacks to join the Union Army.


By the time he made it to a Union encampment in Baton Rouge in March 1863, Peter had been through hell. Bloodhounds had chased him. He had been pursued for miles, had run barefoot through creeks and across fields. He had survived, if barely. When he reached the soldiers, Peter’s clothing was ragged and soaked with mud and sweat.

But his ten-day ordeal was nothing compared to what he had already been through. During Peter's enslavement on John and Bridget Lyons’ Louisiana plantation, Peter endured not just the indignity of slavery, but a brutal whipping that nearly took his life. And when he joined the Union Army after his escape from slavery, Peter exposed his scars during a medical examination.

 
Are they going to have vampires?

I couldn't resist, sorry. I am a big fan of Will Smith and he would be an excellent choice.

No need to apologize; it is the sort of thing that could be overdone. Or it could be really good. Smith's a good actor, and it's often interesting to see actors in roles unlike what they usually play.

Like most of us, I've seen the photo, but for some reason I always assumed it was prewar.
 
First I've heard of this, figured to start a thread now.

In the movie, Will Smith would play a real-life historical figure named Peter, a runaway slave who needed to work his way out of the South and to the North where he eventually joined the Union army and continued to fight for the freedom of his people. Deadline notes that Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) is down to direct Emancipation, and has the bidding war occurring between Warner Bros. and Apple.

The thriller is based on a true story, fueled by an indelible image; when Peter showed his bare back during an Army medical examination, photos were taken of the scars from a whipping delivered by an overseer on the plantation owned by John and Bridget Lyons that nearly killed him. When the photo known as “the scourged back” was published by the Independent in May, 1863 and then in Harper’s Weekly‘s July 4 issue, it became indisputable proof of the cruelty and barbarity of slavery in America. The photo reached around the world, and legend has it that it made countries like France refuse to buy cotton from the South. It solidified the cause of abolitionists and prompted many free blacks to join the Union Army.


By the time he made it to a Union encampment in Baton Rouge in March 1863, Peter had been through hell. Bloodhounds had chased him. He had been pursued for miles, had run barefoot through creeks and across fields. He had survived, if barely. When he reached the soldiers, Peter’s clothing was ragged and soaked with mud and sweat.

But his ten-day ordeal was nothing compared to what he had already been through. During Peter's enslavement on John and Bridget Lyons’ Louisiana plantation, Peter endured not just the indignity of slavery, but a brutal whipping that nearly took his life. And when he joined the Union Army after his escape from slavery, Peter exposed his scars during a medical examination.

Thanks for the heads up. And the links too. Is it available?
 
I may have to surprise my wife and take her go see this when it is released, I usually wait till Mo is show up on Netflix.
 
The movie is back on schedule to be released either later this year or in 2023. It will be interesting to see their take on the escaped slave Peter (aka Peter Gordon)-

"Apple is facing a dilemma over Will Smith's movie "Emancipation," which was deemed an Oscar-winning contender before the actor slapped Chris Rock onstage during the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony.

The backlash Smith faced in the last several months has reportedly caused Apple executives to discuss releasing the movie this year — in time for awards season — or holding off until 2023.

The New York Times reported that the "sensitivity of the situation is apparent."

The outlet, citing three sources, reports that there have been talks within the company to release "Emancipation" at the end of the year. However, it was previously reported that the film might be pushed until 2023...."
 
Despite it initially moving swiftly, the film has run into some problems since last year, with production delayed due to having to change filming locations outside of Georgia following the passing of the controversial Election Integrity Act in the state. The biggest hurdle the film has since run into is Smith's infamous slap of Chris Rock at this year's Oscars after a joke made at his wife's expense, though now it appears Emancipation may be right around the corner.

 
It will be interesting to see their take on the escaped slave Peter (aka Peter Gordon)...
The story of his escape from slavery (April 1863), where he came from, etc., can be verified in records, but his military service cannot be verified.
According to a newspaper article (Liberator, July 3, 1863) he became a sergeant in the 2nd Native Guards, Corps d'Afrique, but there is no Peter or Gordon on the rolls that fits with his description.
 
In the movie does he make it back to the Plantation as a Soldier to Slap the face of the Overseer that whipped him?
Don't know. There's been a test screening but I haven't found anything that I would call a review. In one article, the director says the story is based on diaries kept by Peter. Never heard anything about diaries.

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