Synopsis
In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty as well as unexpected kindnesses Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist will forever alter his life.
Key facts
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Festival History
- Los Angeles Film Awards 2025
- César Awards 2015 generic - Meilleur Film Étranger
- Academy Awards 2014 academy_award ★ Won: Best Picture; Best Adapted Screenplay; Best Supporting Actress (Lupita Nyong'o)
- Golden Globes (USA) 2014 generic - Best Director ★ Nominee
- Independent Spirit Awards 2014 generic - Best Feature; Best Director; Best Lead: Chiwetel Ejiofor; Best Supporting: Michael Fassbender; Best Supporting: Lupita Nyong'o; Best Screenplay: John Ridley; Best Cinematography: Sean Bobbitt ★ Winner: Best Feature; Best Director; Best Supporting: Lupita Nyong'o; Best Screenplay: John Ridley; Best Cinematography: Sean Bobbitt
- Directors Guild of America 2013 generic
- Indiewire Critics' Poll 2013 generic - Best Director ★ 1 (winner per main article)
- Toronto International Film Festival 2013 generic
- Village Voice Film Poll 2013 generic ★ Best Director; Best Actor (Chiwetel Ejiofor); Best Supporting Actress (Lupita Nyong'o)
Titles
| Original title | 12 Years a Slave | English |
| Alternate title | Twelve Years a Slave |
Soundtracks
| CD | 12 Years A Slave (Music From And Inspired By) (2013) | 1 release, 2013: Columbia |
| CD | 12 Years A Slave (Original Score) - Hans Zimmer (2013) | 1 release, 2013: Regency |
Releases & classifications
| Theatrical | Canada | October 18, 2013 |
| Theatrical | United States | October 18, 2013 |
| Theatrical | United States | November 8, 2013 |
| Theatrical | Armenia | December 12, 2013 |
| Theatrical | Spain | December 12, 2013 |
| Theatrical | Greece | December 12, 2013 |
| Theatrical | Russia | December 12, 2013 |
| Theatrical | Ukraine | December 12, 2013 |
| Theatrical | Singapore | December 19, 2013 |
| Theatrical | Sweden | December 20, 2013 |
| Theatrical | Hungary | January 1, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Portugal | January 2, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Romania | January 3, 2014 |
| Theatrical | KW | January 9, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Lebanon | January 9, 2014 |
| Theatrical | United Kingdom | January 10, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Ireland | January 10, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Germany | January 16, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Israel | January 16, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Belgium | January 22, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Switzerland | January 22, 2014 |
| Theatrical | France | January 22, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Switzerland | January 23, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Czech Republic | January 23, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Italy | January 23, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Slovakia | January 23, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Estonia | January 24, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Finland | January 24, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Iceland | January 24, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Latvia | January 24, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Turkey | January 24, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Australia | January 30, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Macedonia | January 30, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Uruguay | January 30, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Norway | January 31, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Poland | January 31, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Argentina | February 6, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Chile | February 6, 2014 |
| Theatrical | New Zealand | February 6, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Colombia | February 7, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Lithuania | February 7, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Pakistan | February 7, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Paraguay | February 7, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Malta | February 10, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Peru | February 13, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Venezuela | February 14, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Denmark | February 20, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Netherlands | February 20, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Brazil | February 21, 2014 |
| Theatrical | India | February 21, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Mexico | February 21, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Indonesia | February 22, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Indonesia | February 26, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Switzerland | February 27, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Hong Kong | February 27, 2014 |
| Theatrical | South Korea | February 27, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Philippines | March 5, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Serbia | March 6, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Japan | March 7, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Taiwan | March 14, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Thailand | April 21, 2014 |
| Theatrical | Vietnam | May 23, 2014 |
| Television | Netherlands | May 25, 2016 |
| Classification | Germany | 12 |
| Classification | United Kingdom | 15 |
| Classification | United States | R |
Versions & editions
| Original version (English) | ||
| Home video | United States | March 4, 2014 |
| Home video | Greece | March 20, 2014 |
| Home video | Netherlands | May 28, 2014 |
Full credits
| Director | Steve McQueen |
| Cast | Chiwetel Ejiofor (Solomon Northup), Michael Fassbender (Edwin Epps), Lupita Nyong'o (Patsey), Benedict Cumberbatch (William Ford), Paul Dano (John Tibeats), Sarah Paulson (Mary Epps), Adepero Oduye (Eliza), Scoot McNairy (Brown), Paul Giamatti (Theophilus Freeman), Brad Pitt (Samuel Bass), Michael Kenneth Williams (Robert), Alfre Woodard (Mistress Shaw), Chris Chalk (Clemens), Taran Killam (Hamilton), Bill Camp (Radburn), Kelsey Scott (Anne Northup), Bryan Batt (Judge Turner), Quvenzhané Wallis (Margaret Northup), Garret Dillahunt (Armsby), Dwight Henry (Uncle Abram), Dickie Gravois (Overseer), Ashley Dyke (Anna), Cameron Zeigler (Alonzo Northup), Tony Bentley (Mr. Moon), Christopher Berry (Burch), Mister Mackey Jr. (Randall), Craig Tate (John), Storm Reid (Emily), Tom Proctor (Biddee), Marc Macaulay (Captain), Vivian Fleming-Alvarez (Mulatto Woman), Douglas M. Griffin (Sailor), John McConnell (Jonus Ray), Marcus Lyle Brown (Jasper), Richard Holden (Fitzgerald), Rob Steinberg (Parker), Anwan Glover (Cape), James C. Victor (Buyer), Liza J. Bennett (Mistress Ford), Nicole Collins (Rachel), J.D. Evermore (Chapin), Andy Dylan (Treach), Deneen Tyler (Phebe), Mustafa Harris (Sam), Gregory Bright (Edward), Austin Purnell (Bob), Thomas Francis Murphy (Patroller), Andre De'Sean Shanks (Victim 1), Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Victim 2), Scott M. Jefferson (Master Shaw), Isaiah Jackson (Zachary), Topsy Chapman (Slave Spiritual Singer 1), Devin Maurice Evans (Slave Spiritual Singer 2), Jay Huguley (Sheriff), Devyn A. Tyler (Margaret Northup (adult)), Willo Jean-Baptiste (Margaret's Husband), Jason Ament (Cooke (uncredited)), Jon Arthur (Steamboat Crew 1st Mate (uncredited)), Sean Paul Braud (Lynchman (uncredited)), Blake Burt (Upper Class Pedestrian (uncredited)), Carroll Burt (Lower Class Pedestrian (uncredited)), Edward J. Clare (Restaurant Patron (uncredited)), JJ Coker (Mr. Bartholomew (uncredited)), Haylie Creppel (Child in the Park (uncredited)), Justin Edward Davis (Saratoga Park Pedestrian (uncredited)), Jim Johnson (Lower Class Pedestrian (uncredited)), John C. Klein (Lumber Mill Customer (uncredited)), Gerard 'Jerry' Lewis (Slave Guard (uncredited)), Kevonte Mcdonald (Slave (uncredited)), Ritchie Montgomery (Roadman (uncredited)), Jason Owen (Safty (uncredited)), Shawn Parsons (Road Man (uncredited)), Wayne Péré (Winslow (uncredited)), Terrell Ransom Jr. (Slave Boy (uncredited)), Erin Rementer (Ballroom Dancer (uncredited)), Andre Robinson (Slave Boy (uncredited)), Corrina Roshea Bobb (Slave Buyer (uncredited)), Jarett Shorts (Hornboy (uncredited)), Tyler Soerries (Boy Playing in Park (uncredited)), Tre Tureaud (Saratoga Park Pedestrians (uncredited)), Justin Christopher Vaughn (Ezra (uncredited)), Bob Walker (Abolitionist Landowner (uncredited)), Caroline Grace Williamson (Ford Daughter (uncredited)), Timothy Wyant (Ford Lumber Buyer (uncredited)) |
| Screenplay | John Ridley |
| Producer | Anthony Katagas, Arnon Milchan, Bianca Stigter, Bill Pohlad, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Steve McQueen |
| Executive producer | John Ridley, Tessa Ross |
| Cinematography | Sean Bobbitt |
| Editing | Joe Walker |
| Music | Hans Zimmer |
| Production design | Adam Stockhausen |
| Visual effects | Dottie Starling, Tim LeDoux |
| Sound | Leslie Shatz |
| Costumes | Patricia Norris |
Additional data: TMDB.
Source: Wikidata (CC0-1.0)
Source: Cinémathèque québécoise, linked catalogue data (CC BY 4.0)
