Prince Among Slaves (2007) on Netflix
NR200758mDocumentary
Captured in Guinea in 1788, Abdul-Rahman is sold into slavery in America. Bought at a Natchez auction by Thomas Foster, he claims to be a prince whose father will pay a ransom.
- Netflix3.4/5
- IMDb7.5/10156 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes100%
Trailer
Plot summary
Abdul-Rahman, a prince of Futa Jallon in Guinea, commands an army in a military campaign in 1788 when he is captured at the age of 26 and sold to slave traders. The slave ship Africa carries him across the Atlantic to New Orleans, and an auction in Natchez, Mississippi, delivers him to the tobacco plantation of Thomas Foster. There he tells Foster that he is an African prince and that his father will send gold to ransom him, and Foster refuses the offer. Abdul-Rahman works the plantation, marries Isabella and fathers nine children, holding to the Muslim faith he brought from Africa. The film mixes reenactments of his life with historians' commentary on slavery in early America.
Cast
- Henian Booneas Middle Passage
- Ian Coblynas Young Abdul-Rahman / Middle Passage
- David Elvoveas Henry Clay (voice)
- Tyler Gattonas Mouth harp player / child
- Bruce Holmesas Thomas Foster
- Andreu Honeycuttas Samba
- Lewis Sheridan Hughesas Various backround characters
- Marcus Mitchellas Prince Ibrahima Abdul Rahman
- Theodore M. Sneadas David Walker
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about Prince Among Slaves (2007)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- At the time of his capture in 1788, Abdul-Rahman commanded an army bigger than George Washington's, in a country larger than the 13 original U.S. states.
- His liberation began with a chance meeting with Dr. John Cox, whose son William later enlisted the local newspaper editor Andrew Marschalk; articles written by Marschalk caught the attention of Secretary of State Henry Clay, who convinced President John Quincy Adams to free Abdul-Rahman.
- Up to 30 percent of the slaves who came to America were Muslim, according to director Andrea Kalin, and their customs are still evident in blues and in some of the South's food.
