What role/message does the film convey about the theme of freedom? The Amistad conveys the message throughout the film that man’s natural state is freedom, and he can, and should do whatever and anything to achieve his natural state once it has been unlawfully taken from him. Throughout the majority of the film Cinque is seen trying to regain what has been taken from him. His freedom. This quote by John Quincy Adams close to the end of the film states Cinque’s and the other slaves’ plight quite well: “The natural state of mankind is instead - and I know this is a controversial idea - is freedom. Is freedom. And the proof is the length to which a man, woman or child will go to regain it once taken. He will break loose his chains. He will decimate
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Throughout the film the film conveys the message that the separation of powers is what separates a tyranny from democratic system. Though the American branches of power are not entirely separate from each other, compared to the courts of Spain, which are all controlled by an 11 year old girl, America is more a nation of the people. As President Martin Van Buren puts it when speaking to Calderon: “Calderon: What 's most bewildering to Her Majesty... is this arrogant independence of the American courts. After all, if you cannot rule the courts, you cannot rule.
Martin Van Buren: Señor Calderon, as any true American will tell you, it 's the independence of our courts that keeps us free.” Though the courts of America aren 't as independant as Van Buren would have you believe. He himself throughout the film influences the court proceedings, by changing judges, removing juries, and appealing lower court decisions to the supreme court, almost dooming Cinques quest of freedom. The film makes the point that American court systems are not completely independent, and are flawed, but in contrast to the court systems of Spain that are toyed with by an 11 year old girl, they are as free as can
Throughout the film the film conveys the message that the separation of powers is what separates a tyranny from democratic system. Though the American branches of power are not entirely separate from each other, compared to the courts of Spain, which are all controlled by an 11 year old girl, America is more a nation of the people. As President Martin Van Buren puts it when speaking to Calderon: “Calderon: What 's most bewildering to Her Majesty... is this arrogant independence of the American courts. After all, if you cannot rule the courts, you cannot rule.
Martin Van Buren: Señor Calderon, as any true American will tell you, it 's the independence of our courts that keeps us free.” Though the courts of America aren 't as independant as Van Buren would have you believe. He himself throughout the film influences the court proceedings, by changing judges, removing juries, and appealing lower court decisions to the supreme court, almost dooming Cinques quest of freedom. The film makes the point that American court systems are not completely independent, and are flawed, but in contrast to the court systems of Spain that are toyed with by an 11 year old girl, they are as free as can