Film Analysis Worksheet
Prof. Cook—American Ethnic Studies Department
Name:
1. What is the title and subject of the film?
The title of the film is The Middle Passage and it’s about the transatlantic slave trade particularly the journey
from Africa to America.
2. What period in history was being depicted in this film?
The slave trade period – from the 15th century to the late 17th century
3. When was the film produced?
1997
4. What is the mood or tone of the film? How does it affect emotions?
The mood of the film is very sad. It makes one angry to see the inhumane treatment of other human beings by
fellow humans. There is, however, one instance of relief and joy, albeit short lived, when the Amistad
resistance happened and when the slaves are eventually freed and returned to Africa.
5. What are the physical qualities of the film and how does it add to film? (narration, music, special effects,
lighting, etc.)
Some of the outstanding physical qualities of the film include the narration by Deborah Allen, which takes the
viewer through the factors that led to slavery and why it thrived. The expert interviews were also very useful in
explaining this. The music is notably African and sets the mood for the film. As for the lighting, the film uses
darkness in the dungeons used to hold slaves before they left the Africa coast to set the mood and depict how it
felt being inside the prisons. The film also re-enacts how the captured Africans were tired together and
transported, these help the film showcase the inhumanity visually.
Prof. Cook—American Ethnic Studies Department
Name:
1. What is the title and subject of the film?
The title of the film is The Middle Passage and it’s about the transatlantic slave trade particularly the journey
from Africa to America.
2. What period in history was being depicted in this film?
The slave trade period – from the 15th century to the late 17th century
3. When was the film produced?
1997
4. What is the mood or tone of the film? How does it affect emotions?
The mood of the film is very sad. It makes one angry to see the inhumane treatment of other human beings by
fellow humans. There is, however, one instance of relief and joy, albeit short lived, when the Amistad
resistance happened and when the slaves are eventually freed and returned to Africa.
5. What are the physical qualities of the film and how does it add to film? (narration, music, special effects,
lighting, etc.)
Some of the outstanding physical qualities of the film include the narration by Deborah Allen, which takes the
viewer through the factors that led to slavery and why it thrived. The expert interviews were also very useful in
explaining this. The music is notably African and sets the mood for the film. As for the lighting, the film uses
darkness in the dungeons used to hold slaves before they left the Africa coast to set the mood and depict how it
felt being inside the prisons. The film also re-enacts how the captured Africans were tired together and
transported, these help the film showcase the inhumanity visually.
