Justice Blackmun: how did Spielberg pull this one off?
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Amistad
matthewparry — 20 years ago(February 08, 2006 02:47 PM)
Okay, I have to start by saying that I really enjoyed this film: it was intense, masterful, and had some of my favourite actors in it (Hopkins, Freeman, Hawthorne, Posselwaithe and of ourse an early role for Chiwetel Ejiofor). The sight of the main Americans being played by Brits was amusing though Hopkins stole the show.
My question was how the hell Spielberg persuaded a former Supreme Court Justice to appear in the film? Even a man as considerate as Justice Blackmun must have taken some persuadign: if memory serves it's the first time it's happened (and the last!) Can anyone shed any light on this? -
hollywoodpsychic — 20 years ago(February 24, 2006 12:54 PM)
It doesn't seem like Spielberg really had to twist his arm at all. From the articles I've read, Justice Blackmun seemed honored to be given the opportunity.
http://www.law.harvard.edu/alumni/bulletin/backissues/fall97/classnotes/main.html
A lot of strange things happen in this world. Things you don't know about in Grand Rapids. -
receiver27 — 19 years ago(November 26, 2006 02:50 AM)
I don't know why it would be completely out of the question for a former member of the Supreme Court to appear in a film. Other branches of the government have had actors/entertainers. President Reagan being the most obvious individual to point to as an actor in government. Senator Fred Thompson was a government attorney turned actor, who then became a US Senator, only to return to the acting field (in fact signing for a role while finishing his term.) Why should the courts be left out?
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kag2-1 — 16 years ago(September 27, 2009 10:52 AM)
In addition to retired Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun playing a Supreme Court Justice, a current U.S. Senator named Enest "Fritz" Hollings (D-SC) played a U.S. Senator in the movie CITY HALL (with Al Pacino), and lawyer/Urban League head Vernon Jordan played a law professor for a mock trial in the film ROUNDERS.
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djrosenblatt — 14 years ago(July 30, 2011 06:59 AM)
They should have given Clarence Thomas a role on the Amistad, whining about the lack of women.
Hehehe. I can see it now "Hey, who put the pubic hair in my buttermilk?!"
Badgers? We don't need no stinkin' badgers! But if you could show us something in a nice possum -
jaystarstar — 14 years ago(December 27, 2011 12:54 AM)
I would bet Blackmun had assurances his character would be portrayed in a dignified and respectful way, and I would also guess he was allowed to see some early cuts of the film to make sure the storyline did not detract from the stature of the Supreme Court.
- You ever seen Superman $#$# his pants? Case closed.