Freedom (2014 film)

Freedom is a 2014 historical drama film directed by Peter Cousens and starring Cuba Gooding Jr., William Sadler, Sharon Leal, and Michael Goodwin. The film tells two parallel stories set centuries apart, both dealing with the struggle for freedom from slavery.

One story follows Samuel (Cuba Gooding Jr.), a man enslaved in 18th-century Virginia who escapes with his family, joining the Underground Railroad and facing constant danger and hardship as they seek freedom in Canada. He is relentlessly pursued by hardened slave catchers.

The second story is set in modern times and centers on John Newton (Bernhard Forcher), a slave trader who undergoes a profound spiritual transformation that eventually leads him to become an abolitionist and write the hymn "Amazing Grace." The film interweaves Newton's personal journey of redemption with the struggles of Samuel and his family, highlighting the enduring fight for liberty and justice throughout history. The film explores themes of faith, perseverance, and the cost of freedom, and the lasting impact of slavery on individuals and communities.