Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Djimon Hounsou, Anthony Hopkins and Matthew McConaughey, Amistad dramatizes the true story of African captives who seized control of the Spanish slave ship La Amistad in 1839 before becoming the center of a major American court case. Combining historical drama, courtroom conflict and political debate, the film explores slavery, justice and human rights during a turbulent period of 19th-century history. Spielbergs film blends legal drama with emotional historical storytelling surrounding one of the most significant anti-slavery cases in American history. Från IMDB: In 1839, the revolt of Mende captives aboard a Spanish owned ship causes a major controversy in the United States when the ship is captured off the coast of Long Island. The courts must decide whether the Mende are slaves or legally free.