Emotionally charged first trailer for 12 Years A Slave, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, and Brad Pitt

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Based on the memoir by Soloman Northup, Steve McQueen‘s adaptation of 12 YEARS A SLAVE has debuted an emotionally-charged trailer that highlights the plight of Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) who was born a free man and pushed into slavery illegally for 12 years. Directed by Steve McQueen (SHAME) and adapted by John Ridley (U TURN), the film has an oustanding roster of co-stars, including Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Scoot McNairy, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sarah Paulson, and Alfre Woodard. Beautifully shot and with powerful performances just from the trailer alone, this has Oscar contender written all over it.

Take a look:

Of course, having Hans Zimmer’s score from THE THIN RED LINE doesn’t hurt to help sell your movie either, so this trailer greatly benefits from being put together with an eye towards striking those emotional chords. It worked for me, that’s for sure. You couldn’t ask for a better cast and filmmaking team for this material and I have no doubt this will be a powerful, if not very difficult, film to watch.

12 YEARS A SLAVE is set to debut on October 18, 2013.