Chains that Bind

[[Image:CTB.jpg|thumb| Genre: Period Drama

Director: Sam Mendes

Cast: Ruby Dalwar

Natalie Portman

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Naomie Harris

Joaquin Pheonix

Composer: John Williams

Studio: Golden films incorporated (Golden Films General)]]

= Chains that Bind =

Chains that Bind is an Academy Award winning picture released limitedly on December 3, Year 32 and wide on December 17. The film was met with outstanding critical response, landing number two of the year in terms of critical reception via the critical consensus. Among top reviews were New York Journal and Orlando Sentinel, on which Chains that Bind appears number one. The film landed many high marks from many other reviews, including 4 out of 4 stars from the popular USA Today. Chains that Bind was nominated for a total of 13 Academy Award, including Best Picture, and it won four of them. The film was also the Year 32 Golden Globe winner for Best Drama.

Chains that Bind was a box-office hit as well, at both the domestic and international fronts. The film opened to the highest per theater average of the year in its opening week, with over 50,000 for a limited run of 3 million. The film went on to make over 11 million in its third week, and it held well throughout the Holidays and into Oscar season. By the end of its run domestically, the film took in 126 million domestically. Overseas, the film topped off to the tune of 125 million.

= Basics =

Release: Limited (December 3, Year 32)

Release: Wide (December 17, Year 32)

Genre: Period Drama/Historical Epic

Directed by: Sam Mendes

MPAA rating: R (for violence, strong language, nudity)

= Plot =

Plot Background
The story follows the life of an African who escapes slavery. When the British invade her village, Veranda (Ruby Dalwar) flees custody, even leaving her husband Jheve (Chiwetel Ejiofor). When Jheve learns of his wife's escape, he sets out through the desert to look for her. She reaches a village far off in the desert where she befriends several villagers, including the supportive Hiah (Naomie Harris). Veranda tells Hiah her story, and through it is revealed she is pregnant. While Veranda stays in the village and works and Jheve searches for her, a conflict arises in London. Several members of a high council wish to free the slaves, but their voice cannot be heard above the Queen, so they attempt an assassination on her life. Isabelle (Natalie Portman), a key player on the council, gets involved with the enemy, Jheorge (Joaquin Phoenix), who attempts to end the assassination. When the assassination goes wrong, those involved are arrested and hung, including Isabelle. Towards the end of the story, Jheve reaches the village and finds his wife. Soon later, she gives birth. Not long after that, the British invade the village, and Veranda and Jheve are forever broken apart. Veranda surrenders her newborn child to Hiah, who watches after him through the invasion. Meanwhile, the Queen's daughter, who was among those involved in the assassination attempt, claims the throne of England after poisoning her mother's wine, and she sets out to put an end on slavery.

Full Plot
A ship rides in on the horizon. Aboard, many Englishmen look at the land spawned out before them. “Gentlemen, prepare for landfall,” their leader says, and the crewmates do just that. The boats breaks for the shore as the stars twinkle above head.

I am but a fallen warrior…a noble being broken by the chains of slavery. I am but a dream deserted…a humble being destroyed by the bonds of hate. I am but a soul lost…an everlasting being killed by the traps of deceit.

A young African girl walks up a steep hill that night with her mother. They come to the top of the hill and glance out at sea, where, on the horizon, the sun begins to rise. “Quick, we must get our fish while the moon is still out,” the mother says (subtitled appear at the bottom of the screen). The girl and her mother head down to the shore, but on the horizon the lines of a battalion appear, and the two freeze in fear and shock. Never before had they seen anything like it before. “Run,” the mother says, and the daughter darts back up the hill to her village on the other side.

The first ship comes in and the captain, looking through his scope, catches sight of a fire on the shore. “What is that?!” he cries, and he orders the ship be steered toward it. There, on the shore, a group of about 5 Africans are huddled around a fire, casting debris into it to make it grow. They hum and wait, and on the horizon they see the oncoming ships. But, their eyes closed now, they dance around the fire and wait.

Veranda is an African woman. She lies awake in her cabin when she hears the sounds of warning, and she rises from her cabin. She jiggles as she rises. The baby inside her kicks. She steps toward the opening, but her husband tells her to wait, and he steps outside with the other men.

Veranda’s husband, Jheve, descends the hill to the shore with the other village men. They’re all in awe at the sight on the horizon. The sun is coming up much faster now, and the sight of the ships has become more apparent. Jheve follows his fellow men down to the shore. Farther down they see a fire dancing.

“Captain, we’re approaching land.” The captain nods and orders they be brought to rest. Then, smaller boats are dropped and some Englishmen climb aboard them. The captain, Vespa Chuchi, climbs into the nearest boat with some of the other crewmates, and they steer toward the shore. Upon reaching the shore, they climb out of the paddle boats and stroll toward the fire. The Africans stop their dance and look up. The captain tries to speak to them, but it does not work. Suddenly, the men from the village come running, weapons of all kinds drawn. The Englishmen raise their guns and a small bloodbath begins until the first shot is fired. It was from the captain, who held a pistol in the air. He demanded silence, and then turned toward the Africans. “Let me speak to your leader,” he whispered, and, as if understanding, the Africans motion for him to follow.

Veranda is in her cabin, clutching her stomach, when she hears the gunshot, and she and the other African women run out of their huts. They glance down the hill, but all they see are the fires dying. Then, a long line of men stretch upward toward them. Veranda looks amongst them. There are some Africans and some white people, and then she finds Jheve, standing amongst some of the other villagers.

The men make it to the village and, ignoring the women, approach the hut in the center. A man in jade beads steps out. He addresses the Englishmen, and the captain describes to him their purpose here. He, using examples with his hands, explains an exchange. He’s willing to get them weaponry and wealth in exchange for something in return. Seeming to understand, the man in jade beads debates it for awhile, and finally he reaches an agreement. Vespa announces that in exchange for weaponry and wealth, the Africans will need to give them some of their own men and women. At first, the village leader is appalled over such a demand, but then he gives in. He isn’t fully aware of what the Englishmen are getting at, but he permits it all the same.

Veranda and Jheve come together in their cabin. She asks him what is going to happen. He doesn’t know. Later, he leaves to go hunting with the other villagers, but the Englishmen stop them. Slightly angry, Jheve almost breaks out into a fight, but Vespa approaches and orders his men off. Jheve and the other villagers continue into the desert to get food.

While Jheve hunts, Veranda pieces together a tunic to wear, but she hears a horn blown and she steps out of the cabin and into the middle of the village. Others are gathered around…all the women and children. They look up at their jeweled leader in question. He announces to them that in exchange for their wealth, the Englishmen have asked for a select few of their own people. The women and children are appalled. The leader silences them and then adds that the men are too valuable to be let go, for without them there would be no defense for the village…there’d be no one to manage the weaponry…and so the women and children will be given up. All the women and children protest, and some cry. Veranda feels tugging and pushing as the villagers break to the front in their rage. Then she sees the line of ships below the hill and she sees lines of Englishmen, rifles at the ready. She is shocked and scared, and her only instinct is to run, and so she does. The other villagers see this, and some of them run, too, but others get trapped behind as the Englishmen surround them. Other Englishmen fire at the escaping villagers, but the villagers dodge the bullets, except for one unfortunate lady who is shot twice in the back. As she tumbles, Veranda wheels around, recognizing the villager. She rushes toward her, swelling with tears. She places her hand on the woman and tries to comfort her, but more gunshots are fired, and, kissing her on the head, Veranda leaves, back into the wilderness of the desert.

Jheve and the other men return to the village, only to find a long line of women on the shore below being dragged into paddle-boats and rolled out to the ships. The men cry out, dropping the meat they just collected and running down the hill. Jheve cries out for Veranda. Many of the women tilt their heads and watch their men come for them, and some hang on in hope while others accept their fate. Jheve steps down to shore and looks about. He cannot see Veranda, and he cries for her several times, but she is not there. He looks at those in the boats, but she is gone. A tear streams down his face, and again he screams out, “VERANDA!”

In Great Britain, a woman strolls into a chamber and approaches an Englishman. “What news do we have?” she questions, and the Englishman informs her about a discovery in the land of Africa. The woman, Isabelle, questions about it for awhile. The Englishman doesn’t know much, except for the exchanges made, though he doesn’t even know much about that. Isabelle is shocked to hear of this, but she doesn’t say much. “Is my council ready?”

Veranda is still running when she collapses from exhaustion. The baby inside her moves about a bit. 8, almost 9, months pregnant already…the baby would soon be born. When it did, Veranda wanted to make sure she was here…home. And she wanted to be with Jheve, but he was gone. She had to find him, but where would he find her lover.

Jheve is still at the shore, desperately searching for his wife, when he stumbles upon one of the women, who is slowly climbing aboard one of the paddle boats. She turns to him and says, “She escaped.” Jheve, somewhat relieved, asked which way she went, and the woman holds up a trembling finger and points toward the north. Jheve does not hesitate. He runs in the direction the woman told him.

Jheve comes across the body of a dead woman, and he recognizes her immediately. He fights back a cry, and then he heads farther north. He soon sees footprints in the sand. He follows them, but a rustle of wind blows through, cutting off the track. Still, following his instinct, Jheve continues northward, continually crying out Veranda’s name now.

It is some two days later and Veranda has made it to a village. She comes upon several unfamiliar faces, all of whom stare at her in wonder and some in pity. She asks them questions, but none answer. Finally, she stumbles into a woman, and the two fall, but the woman quickly rebounds and then catches Veranda. “Who are you?” she asks. Veranda tells her her name, and the woman brings her away into one of the cabins, setting her down on the cot. She gives her some water, though they don’t have much of it. Veranda thanks her. The woman tells her she is named Hiah, and then she asks where Veranda comes from and why she is here. Veranda explains to the best of her ability what had happened. Holding her tight, Hiah blesses her and tells her she will be safe with them. Veranda thanks her again, and she lies back on the cot and slips into rest.

It is awhile later when Veranda awakens. When she does, she finds several faces looking down at her. She blinks her eyes and she realizes they are children, who have come to see the newcomer. She sits up and looks past the children. She climbs out of the hut and the children gather around her. She sees Hiah nearby and she approaches her. She greets Hiah with a warm thanks for giving her time to rest. Hiah introduces her to the mayor of the village, Umpkepra. He takes an immediate interest to what Veranda has to say. When she completes her story, she asks if he can be of help. He says he will hide her here, but if the Englishmen come this way, he won’t be able to stop them. They are a peace-loving tribe. They do not believe in violence. Veranda nods in understanding and then thanks Umpkepra. As she turns to go, Hiah follows her. “Where is the father?” she asks. Veranda is at first shocked, and then Hiah explains that she noticed Veranda is pregnant. Veranda just tilts her head and looks at her feet. “Wherever he is…he’ll come for me.”

Isabelle sits amongst a council of other high royalties of England. For the most part, they are men, but there are some women, including the Queen, who sits comfortably at the center of the chamber. The first announcement is that of the exchange made in Africa, and it is here that Isabelle learns of what the exchanges are. She is shocked over such news, and she protests, but her voice is unheard of in the matter, and she is silenced by the others. They announce that with the slaves, they will send them to the New World to help in the islands of the West Indies. Many of the councilors agree, but some, including Isabelle, disagree and even protest. “There will be silence over this debate,” Jheorge, one of the head’s of the council, announces, “or there will be consequences to be had.” The protestors stop, but Isabelle still feels regret toward the actions of the Englishmen, and she tilts her head in shame.

It is later that night, and Isabelle is alone in her bedroom, on the balcony. A knock comes from behind. “Who is it?” The door opens and an elderly man steps forth. Isabelle recognizes him as councilor Sir Richard Vitore, one of those that protested today’s events. She welcomes him in and the two speak for a brief amount of time, and then Sir Richard explains that is Isabelle wants her voice to be heard, she is to meet with the others the following night, and he gives her the location. She agrees, and then bids Sir Richard farewell.

It is the following day, Isabelle strolls out of the council chamber as the session ends. Jheorge approaches her from behind and demands he come with her. The two enter an abandoned room, where Jheorge begins to yell at her. “What are you up to!?” he shrieks, but Isabelle acts confused. Jheorge goes on to explain that he noticed the connections made between the protestors of the slave events in Africa, and he demands to know what is going on amongst them. Isabelle assures him nothing is happening, and she steps toward the door, but he grabs her. She slaps him in the face. “How DARE you touch me, you filth.” He releases his grip and reaches for his agonized face as she storms out of the room. Jheorge comes out a second later and looks around for Isabelle, but she has vanished into the crowd of other councilors and high officials of England.

Veranda is in the village working with the other villagers. Now that she is with the villagers, she must work with them to pull her share. She is collecting water with Hiah and the other women. They are down at the shore, which is about 3 miles from the village. They collect as much water as they can, for the village will need it to last. Veranda then looks out across the sea and at the sun, and she recalls the events that took place not too long ago, and she pictures Jheve. She longs to be with him, but she feels lost from him, and she feels she will always be lost from him. After the women have collected water, they step into the water to get some fish. Veranda stays close to Hiah as they dig around for fish with their hands. Hiah notices Veranda is upset, and she tells her that everything will be alright. Veranda doesn’t loosen up, though. She stares in disappointment at the water and watches a fish swim past.

Isabelle arrives at the destined location that night and finds men and women cloaked in hoods. She steps toward them, and they take her in. Sir Richard looks around to make sure no one is watching. Then they drawl together in a circle. Sir Richard announces that if they wish to stop the slavery crisis that has arisen, they must make a stand. “But how will we do that?” Isabelle protests. “No matter our efforts, the council will shut us out.” Sir Richard nods, but he disagrees nevertheless. “We shall spread our word to the people. Once the people SEE the cruelty of what is being done (women and children are being pulled out of their homes and forced into hard labor) they will protest with us, and together our voices shall be heard over the voices of the councilmen.” “But the Queen is on their side. She can overrule anything.” “We’ll set forth to get a majority vote.” “The Queen can OVERULE that, too!” Sir Richard nods…“Then that leaves us one option.” Catching on, Isabelle protests. “Even if we were to assassinate the Queen, the throne would immediately be taken.” And from one of the hooded figures comes the Queen’s daughter. “By me,” she states…and Isabelle realizes then what that would mean.

Veranda lies under the stars, glancing up at them. Beside her lays Hiah. Veranda whispers to her, asking if she thinks the Englishmen will make it this far. Hiah doesn’t respond, and so Veranda takes it for a “yes.” She sighs and slips into thought. Images of her husband flash into her mind. Oh how she missed him. A small kick emits from inside, and she reaches her hand down toward her stomach. She could feel the baby.

Jheve could see something silhouetted against the black sky, and he crept toward it. After days of straggling through the desert, he had gotten lost in the sandstorms that came, and he had often fallen asleep in one place only to be awoken in another place. But now he felt he was back on track. On the horizon was something…he knew there was someone there, and so he crept toward it, but a gust of wind held him down, and he struggled to reach it. He fought his way through the wind and soon came toward the shadows, which evolved into a village. And he stepped into that village.

Veranda was now asleep in Hiah’s cabin, and Hiah lay beside her. Veranda hears a rustling, and she shoots up. She climbs out of the cabin and glances around, and then she spots a figure, and she recognizes it as Jheve, and with a cry she rushes toward him, and he rushes toward her. The two leap together and hug and kiss, and the kiss lasts for many a long time. When the kiss ends, Veranda asks how he found her, and he explains he wandered through the desert in search of her. She then asks what has become of the other villagers, but he shakes his head, uncertain of what happened.

A day crept by, and the following evening Isabelle met with the other protestors of the slavery at the same location as the previous night. Here, they question how they will kill the Queen. Many of them feel too guilty about it, and in more ways than one, the Queen’s daughter feels upset by it, but she has lost her connection with her mother, and she knows it is worth it for the lives of many. After awhile, she volunteers to do it, but the others forbid it. “We will not have you kill your own mother,” Sir Richards protested, and so she sulked back into the shadows, while the others came up with a plan of action. And then it dawned upon them. The only way they could kill her was at the following day’s council meeting, and so that would have to be the time and place for the murder.

The following morning, Umpkepra welcomed Jheve into the village. Hiah can see Veranda is happy to be with her lover, to be reunited with him again. After Umpkepra grants Jheve access to the village, the villagers depart. The men prepare to go hunting while the women stay to wash the clothes. Jheve and Veranda hug each other tightly, and then kiss. “Promise me you’ll come back,” Veranda says, and he promises. Then he leaves, and Veranda and Hiah stay together with the other women and prepare the clothes for washing.

Isabelle is again on her balcony just before noon. A knock emits, and in strolls Jheorge. He questions her about several events, including, to her shock, what took place last night. Isabelle asks him how he knew about the events of last night. Jheorge just states that he has his sources, but he says no more. He just announces that he’ll be keeping a close eye on her, and she is relieved to realize that he does not know everything about last night.

Isabelle finds herself seated at her chair in the council chamber. Other councilors flood into their chairs, and she spots Sir Richard take his seat, as well as some of the other protestors. Jheorge sits across from Isabelle, and she catches a wicked look on his face. Lastly, the Queen strolls in and with her are her many guards, who position themselves beside her and around the council chamber. Jheorge summons the council meeting together, and he announces that the first batch of slaves have made arrival in the West Indies, and now more slaves are being brought, including the men of villages. The Englishmen are reaching farther into Africa to get slaves. While this takes place, Isabelle looks at Sir Richard, who is piqued with interest. She is upset to hear this news, but she says nothing. She looks across at the Queen, seated next to Jheorge. The Queen has a certain look about her. Something about it made Isabelle stir in her seat. She was uncomfortable. Did the Queen know? Suddenly, Sir Richards rises and protests, and the other protestors get the cue. This was part of the plan… a distraction. Isabelle looks about. Jheorge orders that Sir Richard be silent, but he continues to shout out his protests, and so Jheorge demands that Sir Richard be arrested on heresy, which Isabelle finds preposterous, but she says nothing. She just waits and acts awed. Everyone now has their eyes on Sir Richard as some of the guards approach him, and no one is aware that one of the protestors disguised as a guard approaches the Queen and slowly drawls a pistol. However, as he aims it into focus, one of the guards notices, and a shot is fired. The protestor topples over, and everyone stares in disbelief. The other guards take the Queen and immediately lead her out of the chamber, while the others lock everyone in and search the chamber for evidence. Isabelle glances at Sir Richard, and she sees the look of disappointment on his face.

It is several hours before the councilors are allowed to leave the chamber. Jheorge is the first to go. Sir Richard is dragged out by the guards. As Isabelle exits, she is confronted by Jheorge, who holds a gun to her side and motions her to follow him. She does so, and the two enter the same empty room from earlier. Here, Jheorge places the gun at Isabelle’s head and says, “It was you. You were part of what took place here tonight.” “No…I swear, I wasn’t.” “Don’t lie to me!” Isabelle assures him it was not her doing. Jheorge silences her, and then says, “You and those that took part in the meeting last night are now officially conspirators to commit murder on the Queen of Britain. We shall see to it that you are arrested and possibly hung.” A look of horror crosses Isabelle’s face, but she does not say anything. Jheorge lowers his gun and storms out of the room.

Veranda is with Hiah when Jheve comes back. She kisses him and then the two of them help the other villagers in cutting up the meet. While this takes place, Veranda suddenly feels a tug in her stomach, and she looks down. She feels another push, and then a gasp of air escapes her, and she falls. Jheve immediately jumps to her side. “Veranda!” The other villagers come to their aide, and Hiah announces that she is about to give birth. Jheve clutches Veranda’s hand while she pants. She looks at him, a tear forming in her eye. Hiah reaches down and tells Veranda to push, and Veranda lets out several more deep breaths while she pushes. Jheve holds on tight to her, and finally, a crying comes, and the baby is released from the womb. It is soaked in blood. Veranda gazes down at it and she smiles. Jheve holds on awhile longer while Hiah removes the umbilical chord. And then the baby is rinsed off and dried, and Veranda and Jheve take their baby boy and name him Hophene.

Veranda cradles Hophene that night while on the cot in Hiah’s cabin. Jheve enters and sits beside her. They stare at their baby happily and take in the moment. They truly felt connected to their baby.

Meanwhile, Isabelle is on her balcony when she sees chariots arriving and guards step out and storm the plaza. And she knows what has taken place, for among the guards stands Jheorge. The guards storm up toward her home. They barge in, and, with no protest, she lets them take her. She is dragged down to the chariot. As she passes Jheorge, she spits on him. He wipes it off and with anger in his eyes, he announces that she is hereby charged on the attempt of murder on the Queen of England and shall be hung tomorrow morning. Isabelle is pushed into the chariot, but as she goes, she screams, “You have no evidence!” Jheorge smirks. From another chariot steps one of the other protestors who took part in the meetings the previous two nights. “I have a confession,” Jheorge announces, and the chariots ride off.

Veranda is asleep with her baby in a pot of covers nearby. Beside her lays her husband. Suddenly, a shriek breaks out. Veranda rises and looks first at her baby. Jheve stands and exits the cabin, warning Veranda to wait. There is a moment of tense silence, and then Hiah enters. She looks desperately at Veranda. “They’re here…” she whispers. Veranda’s eyes widen and she jumps up. She heads toward the door, but then she hears a scream. She looks at Hiah and says, “Please, hide my baby.”

Veranda exits as Hiah takes Hophene and wraps her in blankets, then ducks for cover with the baby under the cot. Veranda looks amongst the villagers, who are in a panic. Umpkepra is the first man Veranda sees. She rushes toward him. “Why don’t you fight them off?” she asks. He shakes his head. “We don’t believe in violence. Besides, they are too vast in number.” Unlike the small battalion of Englishmen at her own village, Veranda now finds a militia of Englishmen gathered around the village. They enter and grab the men and women. Veranda tries to run, and she sees Jheve nearby. She hides with him, but suddenly, an Englishman confronts them and points a gun at them, then orders them to come with him. They follow the Englishman, but then Jheve jumps on him, and he shouts at Veranda, telling her to run. She hesitates. “I don’t want to lose you again,” she hollers. He again tells her to run, and so she does, but another Englishman shoots at her, and then a hand clamps over her mouth.

Hiah is on the ground beneath the cot, holding Hophene in the blankets beside her. Suddenly, she hears footsteps, and boots appear beside the cot. She sees a shadow, and she knows on of the Englishmen is there in her cabin. She holds her breath and forces back a scream. The Englishmen seems to be looking around, and finally he leaves. Hiah waits before removing her hand from her mouth.

Veranda is dragged through the sand for a long while before she sees the waters glistening in the moonlight, and then she feels herself dropped into a boat. She stands up and looks for Jheve, but she is immediately plopped back down by the Englishmen. She cries out her lover’s name several times, but the Englishmen hold her down, and more people are emptied into the boats. Fearing that she will never see Jheve again, she fights back, but the Englishmen overpower her, and the boat paddles off toward the ship nearest the shore.

Jheve, too, is being dragged. He tries to fight back, but the Englishmen overpower him, and several shots are fired (though not at him). Finally, Jheve reaches the shore, and he looks around to see if Veranda made it here. He doesn’t see her, but suddenly he hears a faint cry…and he recognizes it as Veranda’s voice. She was calling him, and as he hears that name he breaks free and shouts her name. The screaming grows more intense. Jheve begins to run, shouting Veranda’s name aloud. The Englishmen chase after him, and gunshots fire…this time at him.

Veranda hears a faint cry, too, and as her voice grows hoarse she looks up and she cries out, “JHEVE!” But the roars of the waves drown her voice, and she never again sees Jheve, though she hears his voice dying on the shores. She looks out and she sees him, far off on the shore. Several men surround him, and she sees him collapse to his knees, and guns are pointed at him, and all he does is weep, and he cries her name until he is hoarse…and they are separated once more.

It is early morning, and Isabelle is dragged out of her cell. She sees some of the other protestors, but the one she is looking for is not there. She is dragged down to the courtyard, where several ropes hang. She holds her breath as she is pulled toward the ropes. She is forced to step onto one of the stone blocks, and then ropes are tied around her wrists and ankles.

A man steps out and begins to read the protestors their rights. Isabelle looks around her and she catches a glimpse of Sir Richard on a pedestal not too far off. The ropes are then laid over their necks. On a balcony nearby, she sees Jheorge…and behind him is several guards surrounding the Queen, who sits glancing down upon the protestors. Behind the Queen stands her daughter, who has a hood draped over her face to shield her from the onlookers.

The man reads aloud the wrongs the protestors have done. “You have committed heresy against the royalty of England. You have plotted and conspired against the Queen herself. You have attempted to murder the Queen. For this, you are to be executed.” He reads awhile longer, and then the stone blocks are removed from their feet. At once, fifteen bodies drape down, and Isabelle feels her face tense up. She chokes, but she has no reaction. Her face turns read, and she winces. As her eyelids drape over her eyes, she sees the Queen’s daughter vanishing from sight on the balcony above.

The Queen’s daughter, Ellis, storms down a corridor and enters her mother’s room. She slumps down into an old chair and sits, thinking. Their plot had failed, and now the slavery would continue. Above that, her friends had been murdered. She rises from the chair, catching sight of a goblet. Inside is a red whine-like substance. She looks down at it.

Later, the Queen enters her room and approaches the table on which rests the goblet. She raises it to her mouth and takes a sip, then sets it down. She sits down in the same chair Ellis sat in awhile ago. She sits there, staring blankly at the window. Suddenly, she feels her body tense up. And she loses control. She cannot move. Still, her face cringes up. Then, her eyes wide, she stops breathing, and her body stops fidgeting.

Veranda feels the ship coming to a stop. She has no idea how long she has been kept down here in the lower quarters of the ship. She has been here with all the other enslaved Africans. She hasn’t spoken much since her voyage began. She doesn’t know how long it has been, but it felt like weeks, maybe months. Finally, the cabin door opens and the slaves are dragged out, surrounded still by the Englishmen that captured them. Veranda glances out and sees a sandy white beach covered with thick palm trees. There are some plantations being constructed. Veranda is lead off the ship with the other slaves to their new home.

Ellis stands now before many councilors, including Jheorge, who is seated to her left. She stands, now as the new Queen, and she faces those around her. “Slavery. What is it? To me, it is an act of evil. Citizens of Africa have been dragged out of their homes and attacked and forced into hard labor. They have become separated from their loved ones and from their homes. They now feel fear. Because of slavery, these Africans are forced to take heed into a new world…they are forced to start new lives in new places. Ask yourself? Was the exchange worth the lives of innocent people like these? We have torn a free world into a world of hatred and slavery. I hereby banish slavery from England. We shall NOT put up with this.” The councilors protest, especially Jheorge, who looks in disgust at the new queen.

Slavery is a world torn apart. Slavery is a sin. Because of slavery, people are pained and tortured…lives are changed. Slavery tears us all apart. It rips out our hearts and replaces our souls with soot and ash. Slavery is evil. Slavery is unjust. Slavery is criminal. Slavery is…

Hiah is alone in her village with only the baby in her arms. She looks about at the destruction the Englishmen caused. Her world has been torn apart. All those she knew and loved were gone. She was alone…with only a baby to keep her company

= Cast =

Ruby Dalwar - Veranda

Chiwetel Ejiofor - Jheve

Natalie Portman - Isabelle

Naomie Harris - Hiah

Joaquin Pheonix - Jheorge

Oliver Ford Davies - Sir Richard

Djimon Hounsou - Umkepra

Helen Mirren - Queen

= Distribution =

Chains that Bind was produced and distributed by Golden films incorporated. The film was the last major project released by the studio prior to the studio division of Golden Films Incoporated into the three current production companies under the same title: Golden Films General, Golden Films Inc., and Golden Films Minor. Chains that Bind belongs to the former and was distributed as such.

= Reception =

The film received stellar reviews from all the top reviewers. Chains that Bind landed second on the yearly consensus of reviewers, just behind Crusader. All reviews were positive and, based on 149 reviews, the film averaged an RT rating of 94%, placing it at a tie for the highest RT rating of the year with The Numena War and 3 percent ahead of Crusader. Chains that Bind appeared on 16 top ten lists. Stephen King from Entertainment Weekly ranked the film 3rd of the year behind Rebellion and Silencing Marat. Top reviewers from the Chicago Chronicle helmed the film as the best picture of the year, and the film swept several critic awards such as the Chicago, Utah, and San Diego critic specials, among others. The film met rave reviews on online sites such as spaghettikitchen.com and Metacritic. Roper Ebert gave the film two thumbs way up and called it "the best film of the year, and the best of its kind in ages"

Among top reviewers:

USA Today - This film was really good. The sets were great. As were the costumes. The movie was a bit slow at times was my biggest problem. But its still good. (USA Today rank-8th of the year)

St. Louis Dispatch - A powerful drama about the wrongs during the times of slavery involving not just blacks but also whites who tried to help. Ruby Dalwar gives an Oscar-worthy performance along with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Natalie Portmann. The last third of the film is one of the most powerful this year and in past years. (St. Louis Dispatch rank-5th of the year)

Spaghetti Kitchen - 6th best movie of the year

Consevative Reviews - One of the best pictures of the year.

Lima Post - 4th best picture of the year

New York Journal - An amazing movie full of power, suspense and drama. Leads Natalie Portman and Ruby Dalwar possess an air of strength and courage in the fires of a hatred so great even the best of people fail to overcome: slavery. The acting gives way to a spellbounding journey of an African American woman who attempts to defy the odds by escaping custody and befriending an entire village along the way. The suspense puts the viewer on the edge of their seat, and the drama keeps the adrenaline rushing and the blood pulsing. This is the best film of the year, and one of the best of all time. (New York Journal rank-1st of the year)

Orlando Sentinel - Best Picture of the Year

= Awards =

Chains that Bind was pure Oscar and Golden Globe gold. The film won Best Picture at the first Silverstone Awards. The film was nominated for seven Golden Globes, of which four were won, including best drama. Later, the film was nominated for 13 Academy Awards, of which four were won.

Golden Globes

Best Drama (WIN)

Best Actress in a Drama-Ruby Dalwar

Best Actor in a Drama-Chiwetel Ejiofor

Best Director-Sam Mendes

Best Supporting Actress-Naomie Harris (WIN)

Best Screenplay (WIN)

Best Score-John Williams (WIN)

Academy Awards

Best Picture

Best Director-Sam Mendes

Best Actress-Natalie Portman (WIN)

Best Suporting Actor-Joaquin Phoenix

Best Supporting Actress-Naomie Harris (WIN)

Best Original Screenplay (WIN)

Best Ensemble

Best Film Editing

Best Cinematography

Best Original Score-John Williams (WIN)

Best Art Direction

Best Costumes

Best Makeup

= Box Office =

The film rode good word-of-mouth and critical reception to one of the most pleasant surprises of the year. Coming off of a 3.9 million opening from its first week in limited release and 11 million in its first wide week, the film rode a tidal wave to a total of 126 million domestically. Internationally, the film met similar acclaim and rode to a total of 125 million.

Opening Weekend - $3,928,339 (79 theaters); $11,204,594 (wide)

Total Domestic - $126,781,229 (yearly rank-17)

Worldwide - $251,872,512