12 Years a Slave (Blu-ray)

From acclaimed director Steve McQueen comes this "deeply evocative and brilliantly acted" film (Claudia Puig, USA Today) based on the true story of Solomon Northup. It is 1841, and Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), an accomplished, free citizen of New York, is kidnapped and sold into slavery. Stripped of his identity and deprived of all dignity, Northup is ultimately purchased by ruthless plantation owner Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender) and must find the strength within to survive. Filled with powerful performances by an astonishing cast that includes Benedict Cumberbatch, Brad Pitt and newcomer Lupita Nyongo, 12 YEARS A SLAVE is both an unflinching account of slavery in American history and a celebration of the indomitable power of hope.

Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Adepero Oduye, Paul Dano, Scoot McNairy, Ruth Negga, Taran Killam, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Giamatti, Sarah Paulson, Garret Dillahunt, Chris Chalk, Michael K. Williams, Dwight Henry, Mike Johnson, Michael Kenneth Williams, Alfre Woodard, Quvenzhané Wallis, Lupita Nyong¿O, Shawn Parsons, Doug M. Griffin, Thomas Murphy, Mustafa Harris, Ashley Dyke, Devin Maurice Evans, Kelvin Harrison, Craig Tate, Nicole Collins, Topsy Chapman, Marc Macaulay, Jay Huguley, Christopher Berry, John McConnell, Storm Reid, Deneen D Tyler, Isaiah Jackson, Kelsey Scott, Austin Purnell, Scott Jefferson, J.D. Evermore, Marcus Lyle Brown, Andy Dylan, Cameron Zeigler, Willo Jean Baptiste, Anwan Glover, Liza J Bennett, Vivian Fleming Alvarez, Tony Bentley, Gregory Bright, Mister Mackey Jr., Tom Proctor, Richard Holden, Bryan Batt, J C Victor, Dickie Gravois, Devyn A Tyler, Rob Steinberg, Bill Camp, Andre Shanks

Director: Brad Pitt, Anthony Katagas, Arnon Milchan, Bill Pohlad, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Steve McQueen

Rating: R