"Harriet" should have been more realistic

Although most people know Harriet Tubman’s general history, her biopic, “Harriet”, tells her story. From her escape from slavery to her battles in the Civil War, the movie perfectly captures the trials and tribulations of a brave woman who, in the face of danger and injustice, fought to free her people from bondage. Harriet Tubman was a “conductor” on the Underground Railroad, a series of routes and houses used to lead slaves in the antebellum south to freedom in the north. An escaped slave herself, Tubman knew the landscape well and displayed a strong determination that helped her achieve her goals. She went on to lead an attack in the Civil War, then retired to Auburn, New York.But “Harriet” went beyond just the history of this incredible woman. It portrayed her story; it showed audiences her emotions, her dreams and her passions. It took viewers on a journey— Araminta Ross’s journey as she became Harriet Tubman, the hero history books remember. Every actor worked together to create a poignant and invigorating environment. Cynthia Erivo’s determination as Tubman, Leslie Odom Jr.’s resolve as the organizer of the underground railroad and Monae’s assuredness as a friend and fellow conspirator of Tubman’s were all vital to the success of the narrative. “Harriet” also incorporated an interesting take on spirituality, with Tubman often discussing communications with God, specifically about “God showing her the way,”; she was frequently referred to as ‘Moses’ and displayed genuine clairvoyant abilities. However, the age rating of the movie presented several issues. The studio chose to focus on Tubman’s journey rather than the explicit, horrific violence and hardships slaves experienced during the time period, allowing the movie to be rated PG-13. The film did not accurately portray the overwhelming challenges Tubman was forced to overcome in order to accomplish her goals, softening a terrible time to make it more cinematically suitable. On the other hand, a PG-13 rating allows younger audiences to see the movie, spreading valuable history to a variety of ages, which is extremely valuable. “Harriet” portrayed the violence and racism of the 19th century more with words than with actions. The sheer emotion evoked by the words, “I would give every last drop of blood in by veins until this monster called slavery is dead!” sends an alternate but equally powerful message about the fight against slavery. Overall, “Harriet” encompassed the spirit of Harriet Tubman through creative and emotional cinematography. Even with controversial takes on clairvoyance and period accuracy, Harriet is absolutely a film worth seeing.