A young woman named Cora makes an amazing discovery during her attempt to break free from slavery in the deep south.A young woman named Cora makes an amazing discovery during her attempt to break free from slavery in the deep south.A young woman named Cora makes an amazing discovery during her attempt to break free from slavery in the deep south.
- Nominated for 7 Primetime Emmys
- 15 wins & 63 nominations total
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Summary
Reviewers say 'The Underground Railroad' is acclaimed for its storytelling, visuals, and performances, especially Thuso Mbedu and Joel Edgerton. It is celebrated for emotional depth and world-building, blending historical and magical realism. Criticisms include historical inaccuracies, slow pacing, and dramatic scenes. Viewers are divided on its artistic liberties versus historical representation. Despite this, many find it impactful, highlighting slavery's horrors and character resilience.
Featured reviews
First of all, I was a bit shocked to see this rated PG. It should have been at the very least a 12. The first episode, especially, is very gritty with some disturbing scenes. Perhaps not at graphic as some shows today, but still not for children, IMHO.
Secondly, after the gripping first 2 episodes, this becomes very, very slow, with scenes stretched out for far, too long.
I didn't mind the flashbacks, but it would have been so much better if the pace had been faster, rather than showing everything in excruciating detail.
Thirdly, I know it wasn't supposed to be historically accurate, but having actual trains running underground with no-one up above ever hearing or finding them was too far-fetched, never mind how long it would have taken to dig the tunnels and steal a train to run down there!
Also, not all whites were abusers, even in the deep South. Many hated slavery and helped a lot of slaves to escape to the North, but in this portrayal almost all whites are bad and use the 'N' word far, too often.
The program did, however, show how slaves were treated as less than nothing. Property to be used and disposed of on a whim. Sometimes it's easy to forget just how bad it was.
All-in-all it was watchable, but slow-paced, far-fetched and graphic in parts.
Secondly, after the gripping first 2 episodes, this becomes very, very slow, with scenes stretched out for far, too long.
I didn't mind the flashbacks, but it would have been so much better if the pace had been faster, rather than showing everything in excruciating detail.
Thirdly, I know it wasn't supposed to be historically accurate, but having actual trains running underground with no-one up above ever hearing or finding them was too far-fetched, never mind how long it would have taken to dig the tunnels and steal a train to run down there!
Also, not all whites were abusers, even in the deep South. Many hated slavery and helped a lot of slaves to escape to the North, but in this portrayal almost all whites are bad and use the 'N' word far, too often.
The program did, however, show how slaves were treated as less than nothing. Property to be used and disposed of on a whim. Sometimes it's easy to forget just how bad it was.
All-in-all it was watchable, but slow-paced, far-fetched and graphic in parts.
Dont let today's world climate affect your decision to watch this show. Across the board a fantastic production that ticks all the boxes. Visually amazing, Great story, Good acting but most importantly it captures you from the start. This will be an extremely easy binge watch. The content is pretty fully on so tread lightly, this is not a family watch.
The enormously well-received series starts strong with an incredibly powerful pilot episode, and a very interesting second one. But that's where the charm ends, and the show becomes obsessed with incredibly boring white characters. I dragged it out till episode 8 so far, and will definitely finish the show - but I think it should just have ended at Episode 2.
Arnold Ridgeway - the most pathetically boring character invented in 2021.
Arnold Ridgeway - the most pathetically boring character invented in 2021.
This 10-part series is filled with deeply impactful scenes of the African-American experience in the South and southern Indiana in the pre-Civil War era.
Cora Randall, the escaped slave, and Arnold Ridgeway, the slave catcher, are unforgettable characters. Some of the violence is extremely graphic.
The series takes a magical realist approach to the story, which is not my favored approach to fiction. I found some symbolism very distracting and the many very dimly-lit scenes hard to follow.
Worth watching.
Cora Randall, the escaped slave, and Arnold Ridgeway, the slave catcher, are unforgettable characters. Some of the violence is extremely graphic.
The series takes a magical realist approach to the story, which is not my favored approach to fiction. I found some symbolism very distracting and the many very dimly-lit scenes hard to follow.
Worth watching.
Barry Jenkins does what he does best! Beautiful cinematography, amazing score, excellent casting and acting, the pace is deliberate (if not a bit slow). Stand out episodes South Carolina, Fannie Briggs (for the cinematography), Indiana Winter (whew). I love that there aren't any standout stars to distract you as well....that being said you will see a lot for this cast in the future. I definitely recommend but I don't think you should binge it. The subject matter is heavy and you need to allow time to absorb the subtle details.
Did you know
- TriviaThe "Underground Railroad" as a train/railroad had never really existed. That name describes a network of secret routes and safe houses during the 19th century across the Eastern Seaboard of the United States of America. The "railroad" helped enslaved African Americans escape to Northern states, and, after the Fugitive Slave Act, to Canada. The first literal subway/tube/underground railroad was built in London, England, in 1863, while America was embroiled in the Civil War to end slavery.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Late Night with Seth Meyers: Joel Edgerton/Edward-Isaac Dovere (2021)
- How many seasons does The Underground Railroad have?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime59 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1
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