Sally Hemings: An American Scandal
Echo Bridge Home Entertainment (2000)
Drama
In Collection
#11170
0*
Seen ItYes
096009258290
IMDB   6.9
2 hr 51 mins USA / English
DVD  Region 1   NR
Sam Neill Thomas Jefferson
Carmen Ejogo Sally Hemings
Diahann Carroll Betty Hemings
Mare Winningham Martha Jefferson Randolph
Mario Van Peebles James Hemings
Rene Auberjonois James Callender
Zeljko Ivanek Thomas Mann Randolph
Klea Scott Critta Hemings
Jessica Townsend Maria Jefferson
Larry Gilliard Jr. Henry Jackson
Kevin Conway Thomas Paine
Amelia Heinle Harriet Hemings
Peter Bradbury Samuel Carr
Chris Stafford Peter Carr
Kelly Rutherford Lady Maria Cosway
Director
Charles Haid
Producer Gerrit van der Meer
Marty Eli Schwartz
Writer Tina Andrews
Cinematography Donald M. Morgan
Musician Joel McNeely

This movie dares to suggest that Thomas Jefferson might have loved his slave Sally Hemings. No one will ever know for sure if he loved her but if they had a relationship it would have lasted close to forty years. Can a man have a relationship with a woman for forty years and feel nothing for her, even if she was his slave and a black woman? Some people would suggest that but not this movie. Jefferson himself was a contradiction. He said slavery was wrong, yet he owned slaves. This movie focuses on the kind of relationship they may have had and the people they were. Sally is portrayed as a strong and educated woman. We know she went to France and she could have been educated while she was there. She is also the half sister of Jefferson's dead wife and she could have quite possibly looked like her. If Sally did look like Jefferson's dead wife, whom he loved dearly, could he have been attracted to her. Sally is shown as a woman that Jefferson could have loved. Jefferson is shown as a man wrestling inside with his public life and his private life. The relationship they have is tested many times but remains strong even after his death. It may be hard for some to believe that these two people loved each other but this movie suggests that they just didn't love each other but that they were devoted to each other. I like how it focuses on Sally's life because she is the one people know little about. It goes into detail about the kind of life she might have lived with her children and the joy and sadness she might have felt, living during this time. This movie offers a refreshing description of Sally Hemings and her life. If you are interested in history, Sally Hemings or Thomas Jefferson I recommend that you watch this movie. It might change everything you know about these two people. This is a great movie and I highly recommend it to everyone.
Edition Details
Distributor Echo Bridge Home Entertainment
Release Date 2/8/2005
Packaging Keep Case
Screen Ratio Fullscreen (4:3)
Audio Tracks Stereo [English]
Layers Single Side, Single Layer
No. of Disks/Tapes 1