Good start, but then it gets ruined

Fresh and Exciting

Don't Believe the Hype

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Based on a bit of true history and a fictionalized book of the same name, this mini-series yields an aspect of the African slave story that I'd not known about before. Set in the late colonial / post-Revolutionary era, the story fills in some gaps left by Alex Haley's Roots chronicle. No doubt legitimate criticism could be made of the film regarding its perhaps overly romanticized version of real life for African slaves in the colonies, and the multiple, implausible transatlantic voyages of the main character, and the surprise ending. If you can look past those flaws, the movie holds interest and the principal actors give engaging performances.Two actual copies of the real Book of Negroes exist -- one in the National Archives in London, the other in National Archives in Washington DC.

The Book of Negroes miniseries was amazing! The cast truly portrays what the African people had experienced throughout the years. Even in the pilot episode, the Book of Negroes depicts the torture, loss of identity and culture that the people faced. Unlike other movies or television shows that revolve around slavery and oppression of black people, the vividness of the show really hit me hard. There are a few moments when I had to shut my eyes because it was became too intense and I couldn't bear to watch. The story is a great reminder of the hardships and suffering of the African people and captures the true meaning of why we celebrate Black History month. It is one of the most interesting shows I have watched as it gave me better insight of how the slave trade functioned and the oppression of a whole race as well as the many cultures within it.I would definitely recommend others to watch the Book of Negroes or read it. It is a heartbreaking yet an eye-opening story.

I read the book Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill a few years ago. I loved the book. Took me a while to watch the mini-series but I just finished binge-watching it with tears flowing down my face. So very powerful. It truly makes me sick to see the revolting things white human beings have done to people not of their colour.One of the reviewers has talked about the anti-Semitism. Well, I must vehemently disagree with that person. Firstly, the two Jewish characters were portrayed in a very sympathetic light - the wife treated Aminata very well and kindly. The husband brought a reunion about with Aminata and her long lost daughter, May, at the very end. Yes, he sold May initially but he thought he was doing her a favour. So, I don't see any anti-Semitism in this min-series at all.I would love to see this book on the school curriculum everywhere. I have researched this period of history and the book/TV series stays very close to reality. Well done to all involved!

The Book of Negroes was an eighteenth century British document detailing all the Afro-Americans who had fought on the British side in the Revolutionary war, and were promised a new life elsewhere. A considerable number ended up in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. There were problems with the harsh climate and petty racism, but it was better than the alternative.This program takes its name from that, and the first episode looks quite satisfying, as we trace a black girl's odyssey from Mali to America.So far, it does not seem much different from Roots, but I will keep watching to see if something original turns up.