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 African American Many Rivers to Cross”, and it speaks of the slave trade in
Africa, the journey and the arrival of the slaves in America.
2. What period in history was being depicted in this film?
The period depicted by the film is between the years 1500-1800.
3. When was the film produced?
The film was produced in 2013.
4. What is the mood or tone of the film? How does it affect emotions?
The mood of the film is sad. It brings the feelings of anger and disbelief in what the African slaves had to go
through in the hands of their white masters.
5. What are the physical qualities of the film and how does it add to film? (Narration, music, special effects,
lighting, etc.)
One of the most outstanding physical qualities is the eloquent narration by Henry Louis Gates Jr., the
moderately slow music with an expounded feel of the drums signifies a journey. The special effect is shown in
recreating the environments during the slave trade for the viewer to understand where use the black and white
was to bring out the ere during which slave trade was happening.
6. What is the main message of film and what does this film tell you about life in US at the time it was created?
The message is that no matter how brutal the past was for the African Americans, they shouldn’t forget how far
they have come. At the time when the film was created, it shows that great strides had been achieved and
Prof. Cook—American Ethnic Studies Department
Name:
1. What is the title and subject of the film?
The title of the film is “The African American Many Rivers to Cross”, and it speaks of the slave trade in
Africa, the journey and the arrival of the slaves in America.
2. What period in history was being depicted in this film?
The period depicted by the film is between the years 1500-1800.
3. When was the film produced?
The film was produced in 2013.
4. What is the mood or tone of the film? How does it affect emotions?
The mood of the film is sad. It brings the feelings of anger and disbelief in what the African slaves had to go
through in the hands of their white masters.
5. What are the physical qualities of the film and how does it add to film? (Narration, music, special effects,
lighting, etc.)
One of the most outstanding physical qualities is the eloquent narration by Henry Louis Gates Jr., the
moderately slow music with an expounded feel of the drums signifies a journey. The special effect is shown in
recreating the environments during the slave trade for the viewer to understand where use the black and white
was to bring out the ere during which slave trade was happening.
6. What is the main message of film and what does this film tell you about life in US at the time it was created?
The message is that no matter how brutal the past was for the African Americans, they shouldn’t forget how far
they have come. At the time when the film was created, it shows that great strides had been achieved and
