1841
Solomon Northup, a free Black man from Saratoga, New York, is kidnapped and sold into slavery after being drugged by two men posing as circus performers. He is transported to Louisiana, where he endures brutal conditions under various masters, including the cruel Edwin Epps, and witnesses the suffering of fellow slaves like Patsey, who is repeatedly abused. Despite the constant threat of violence and the suppression of his identity, Solomon secretly attempts to send letters to his family, facing betrayal and the destruction of his hopes. After twelve years, Solomon finally confides in a sympathetic Canadian carpenter, Samuel Bass, who successfully mails a letter to Solomon's family, leading to his rescue and reunion with his wife and children.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Free black Solomon Northup enjoys a harmonious family life until he is deceived, kidnapped, and sold into slavery.
Open full beat sheetSolomon Northup is listed as Protagonist. A free Black man from Saratoga, New York, kidnapped into slavery. In the parsed data, Solomon Northup is connected to 90 scenes, 136 dialogue lines, 142 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
90 scenes / 136 dialogue linesClemens Ray is listed as Slave. A fellow captive. In the parsed data, Clemens Ray is connected to 19 scenes, 18 dialogue lines, 19 text mentions, first appearing around scene 32.
19 scenes / 18 dialogue linesEliza is listed as Slave. A fellow captive, mother of Emily and Randall. In the parsed data, Eliza is connected to 18 scenes, 35 dialogue lines, 40 text mentions, first appearing around scene 32.
18 scenes / 35 dialogue linesJohn Williams is listed as Slave. A fellow captive. In the parsed data, John Williams is connected to 15 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 32.
15 scenes / 8 dialogue linesEdwin Epps is listed as Master. A brutal plantation owner. In the parsed data, Edwin Epps is connected to 13 scenes, 61 dialogue lines, 63 text mentions, first appearing around scene 72.
13 scenes / 61 dialogue linesPatsey is listed as Slave. A highly productive slave on Epps's plantation. In the parsed data, Patsey is connected to 13 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 17 text mentions, first appearing around scene 95.
13 scenes / 12 dialogue linesAbram Hamilton is listed as Kidnapper. A man who poses as a circus performer to kidnap Solomon. In the parsed data, Abram Hamilton is connected to 12 scenes, 22 dialogue lines, 22 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
12 scenes / 22 dialogue linesMerrill Brown is listed as Kidnapper. A man who poses as a circus performer to kidnap Solomon. In the parsed data, Merrill Brown is connected to 11 scenes, 25 dialogue lines, 25 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
11 scenes / 25 dialogue linesEbenezer Radburn is listed as Turnkey. Overseer at Burch's dungeon. In the parsed data, Ebenezer Radburn is connected to 10 scenes, 14 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 25.
10 scenes / 14 dialogue linesRobert is listed as Slave. A fellow captive who attempts to fight back. In the parsed data, Robert is connected to 10 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 45.
10 scenes / 2 dialogue linesEmily is listed as Slave. Eliza's daughter. In the parsed data, Emily is connected to 10 scenes, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 30.
10 scenes / 0 dialogue linesAnne Northup is listed as Wife. Solomon's wife. In the parsed data, Anne Northup is connected to 8 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
8 scenes / 13 dialogue linesJames Burch is listed as Slave Trader. Runs the slave pen in Washington. In the parsed data, James Burch is connected to 8 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 25.
8 scenes / 12 dialogue linesWilliam Ford is listed as Master. Solomon's first master in the South. In the parsed data, William Ford is connected to 7 scenes, 23 dialogue lines, 27 text mentions, first appearing around scene 58.
7 scenes / 23 dialogue linesTheophilus Freeman is listed as Slave Trader. Slave trader in New Orleans. In the parsed data, Theophilus Freeman is connected to 7 scenes, 18 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 53.
7 scenes / 18 dialogue linesMargaret Northup is listed as Daughter. Solomon and Anne's daughter. In the parsed data, Margaret Northup is connected to 7 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
7 scenes / 7 dialogue linesAlonzo Northup is listed as Son. Solomon and Anne's son. In the parsed data, Alonzo Northup is connected to 7 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
7 scenes / 3 dialogue linesJohn Tibeats is listed as Master/Carpenter. A cruel man who owns Solomon for a time. In the parsed data, John Tibeats is connected to 6 scenes, 28 dialogue lines, 30 text mentions, first appearing around scene 58.
6 scenes / 28 dialogue linesRandall is listed as Slave. A child captive. In the parsed data, Randall is connected to 6 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 30.
6 scenes / 4 dialogue linesSamuel Bass is listed as Carpenter. A Canadian carpenter who helps Solomon. In the parsed data, Samuel Bass is connected to 5 scenes, 29 dialogue lines, 29 text mentions, first appearing around scene 93.
5 scenes / 29 dialogue linesMr. Cephas Parker is listed as Store Owner. A white store owner in Saratoga. In the parsed data, Mr. Cephas Parker is connected to 4 scenes, 25 dialogue lines, 25 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
4 scenes / 25 dialogue linesJasper is listed as Slave. A slave seen in Saratoga. In the parsed data, Jasper is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 94.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue linesMr. Moon is listed as Acquaintance. An acquaintance of Solomon. In the parsed data, Mr. Moon is connected to 1 scene, 2 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
1 scenes / 2 dialogue linesFitzgerald is listed as Master. Jasper's master. In the parsed data, Fitzgerald is connected to 1 scene, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
1 scenes / 2 dialogue linesSolomon Northup plays his violin in his study.
Solomon NorthupSolomon plays for a dinner party dance.
Solomon NorthupSolomon interacts with his family before leaving.
Solomon Northup, Anne Northup, Margaret Northup, Alonzo NorthupSolomon and his family walk through Saratoga; Jasper watches them.
Solomon Northup, Anne Northup, Margaret Northup, Alonzo Northup, JasperSolomon and his family shop at Mr. Parker's store; Jasper enters.
Solomon Northup, Anne Northup, Margaret Northup, Alonzo Northup, Jasper, Mr. Cephas ParkerThe Northup family eats dinner and discusses the President's death.
Solomon Northup, Anne Northup, Margaret Northup, Alonzo NorthupSolomon and Anne put the children to bed.
Solomon Northup, Anne Northup, Margaret Northup, Alonzo NorthupSolomon and Anne discuss her upcoming trip.
Solomon Northup, Anne NorthupAnne and the children depart for their trip.
Solomon Northup, Anne Northup, Margaret Northup, Alonzo NorthupSolomon meets Brown and Hamilton.
Solomon Northup, Mr. Moon, Merrill Brown, Abram HamiltonBrown and Hamilton offer Solomon a job with their circus.
Solomon Northup, Merrill Brown, Abram HamiltonSolomon packs for his trip.
Solomon NorthupSolomon decides not to write a letter to his family.
Solomon NorthupSolomon leaves with Brown and Hamilton.
Solomon Northup, Merrill Brown, Abram HamiltonSolomon plays music while Brown and Hamilton perform magic.
Solomon Northup, Merrill Brown, Abram HamiltonBrown and Hamilton persuade Solomon to travel to Washington.
Solomon Northup, Merrill Brown, Abram HamiltonSolomon arrives in Washington.
Solomon Northup, Merrill Brown, Abram HamiltonBrown and Hamilton give Solomon money and toast to the late President.
Solomon Northup, Merrill Brown, Abram HamiltonSolomon becomes violently ill.
Solomon Northup, Merrill Brown, Abram HamiltonBrown and Hamilton help Solomon up the stairs.
Solomon Northup, Merrill Brown, Abram HamiltonSolomon is left in his room by Brown and Hamilton.
Solomon Northup, Merrill Brown, Abram HamiltonSolomon wakes up in chains in a dungeon.
Solomon NorthupBurch and Radburn confront Solomon.
Solomon Northup, James Burch, Ebenezer RadburnBurch brutally beats Solomon to force him to accept his status as a slave, while Radburn later tries to manipulate Solomon into submission.
Solomon Northup, James Burch, Ebenezer RadburnThe camera pulls back from the dungeon to reveal the Nation's capital, highlighting the irony of slavery in the seat of freedom.
Solomon NorthupDaylight floods the dungeon as the door is opened.
Solomon NorthupSolomon and other captives are forced to wash in the yard, where Solomon tries to comfort a crying child.
Solomon Northup, Ebenezer Radburn, Clemens Ray, John Williams, Randall, EmilyRadburn brings Solomon a new shirt and takes his old one, which Solomon treasures as a memento of his wife.
Solomon Northup, Ebenezer RadburnThe captives discuss their situation; Eliza and Emily arrive.
Solomon Northup, James Burch, Clemens Ray, John Williams, Randall, ElizaEliza tells Solomon about her life as a mistress and how she ended up in the slave pen.
Solomon Northup, ElizaBurch and Radburn wake the captives to move them.
Solomon Northup, James Burch, Ebenezer Radburn, ElizaThe captives are shackled together; Burch beats John for protesting.
Solomon Northup, James Burch, Ebenezer Radburn, Clemens Ray, John Williams, RandallThe captives are transported in a wagon covered by a cloth.
Solomon Northup, Clemens Ray, John Williams, Eliza, EmilyThe captives are loaded onto the steamboat Orleans.
Solomon Northup, James Burch, Clemens Ray, John Williams, Eliza, EmilyThe captives are locked in the hold of the steamboat.
Solomon Northup, James Burch, Ebenezer Radburn, John Williams, ElizaThe engine room of the steamboat is shown.
The steamboat travels between Washington and Norfolk.
Clemens Ray advises Solomon to keep his identity and literacy secret to survive.
Solomon Northup, Clemens RayMore slaves are brought on board in Norfolk, including Robert.
Solomon Northup, James Burch, Ebenezer Radburn, RobertSolomon observes Robert in the galley.
Solomon Northup, RobertSolomon, Clemens, and Robert discuss fighting back.
Solomon Northup, Clemens Ray, RobertThe steamboat continues south.
A sailor attempts to assault Eliza, but Robert intervenes and is killed.
Solomon Northup, Clemens Ray, Eliza, RobertSolomon and Clemens dump Robert's body overboard.
Solomon Northup, Clemens Ray, RobertSolomon watches Robert's body sink.
Solomon Northup, RobertClemens Ray is claimed by his master and leaves, leaving Solomon behind.
Solomon Northup, Clemens RayFreeman inspects the remaining slaves and renames Solomon 'Platt'.
Solomon Northup, Theophilus FreemanSolomon is transported through the port, witnessing the brutality of the slave system.
Solomon Northup, John Williams, Eliza, EmilyThe group arrives at Freeman's slave pen.
Solomon Northup, John Williams, Eliza, Emily, Theophilus FreemanFreeman inspects the slaves as they clean themselves.
Theophilus FreemanSlaves are given new clothes.
Freeman coaches the slaves on how to behave to be more sellable; Solomon plays the fiddle.
Solomon Northup, Theophilus FreemanCustomers arrive to view the slaves.
Solomon Northup, Theophilus FreemanSolomon plays the fiddle for the slaves and Freeman, who praises his talent over Cape's.
Solomon Northup, Clemens Ray, Theophilus FreemanTibeats confronts Solomon over the use of nails, leading to a violent struggle where Solomon beats Tibeats.
Solomon Northup, John Tibeats, Eliza, William Ford, Ebenezer RadburnCustomers inspect slaves for purchase. Ford buys Solomon and Eliza, but Eliza is separated from her children.
Solomon Northup, Clemens Ray, John Williams, Randall, Eliza, EmilyTibeats returns with accomplices to lynch Solomon, but Chapin stops them with pistols.
Solomon Northup, John Tibeats, William Ford, John WilliamsSolomon and Eliza arrive at the Ford plantation.
Solomon Northup, Eliza, William FordSolomon remains tied to the tree while plantation life continues around him.
Solomon Northup, William Ford, ElizaTibeats introduces himself and Chapin to the slaves and threatens them.
Solomon Northup, John TibeatsMaster Ford returns and cuts Solomon loose.
Solomon Northup, William Ford, John WilliamsFord informs Solomon he is being sold to Edwin Epps for his own safety.
Solomon Northup, William FordEdwin Epps reads the Bible to his slaves, emphasizing punishment.
Edwin Epps, Patsey, Clemens Ray, John Williams, Emily, RandallSlaves pick cotton under the supervision of Edward and Treach.
Solomon Northup, PatseyCotton is weighed; Epps praises Patsey and punishes those who picked less.
Solomon Northup, Edwin Epps, Patsey, Clemens Ray, John Williams, ElizaSlaves eat and Uncle Abram speaks of General Jackson.
Clemens Ray, John Williams, Eliza, Emily, Randall, RobertEpps forces slaves to dance; Mistress Epps attacks Patsey in a fit of jealousy.
Solomon Northup, Edwin Epps, PatseyMistress Epps questions Solomon about his ability to read.
Solomon NorthupSolomon runs to the store and encounters a lynching.
Solomon NorthupSolomon buys supplies at the store.
Solomon NorthupSolomon arrives to fetch Patsey.
Solomon Northup, PatseySolomon and Patsey return from Shaw's; Epps confronts them in a drunken rage.
Solomon Northup, Patsey, Edwin EppsSolomon encounters a starving runaway slave named Celeste in the swamp and shares his food with her.
Solomon Northup, ElizaSolomon steals food from the storage shed to provide for Celeste.
Solomon NorthupSolomon meets Celeste again to give her food and reveals his true identity.
Solomon Northup, ElizaSolomon gathers materials to make ink.
Solomon NorthupSolomon writes his letter using homemade ink.
Solomon NorthupCeleste tells Solomon she is returning to her master due to fear of wild animals.
Solomon Northup, ElizaSolomon and others return to Epps's plantation.
Solomon Northup, Edwin Epps, John Williams, PatseyArmsby joins the slaves in the field.
Solomon Northup, Edwin EppsHow could I write a letter without ink or paper? There is nobody I want to write to 'cause I hain't got no friends living as I know of. That Armsby is a lying drunken fellow. You know this, just as you know that I am constant in truth. Now, master, I can see what that Armsby is after, plain enough. Didn't he want you to hire him for an overseer? That's it. He wants to make you believe we're all going to run away and then he thinks you'll hire an overseer to watch us. He believes you are soft soap. He's given to such talk. I believe he's just made this story out of whole cloth, 'cause he wants to get a situation. It's all a lie, master, you may depend on't. It's all a lie.
Most slaves escape at night. The overseers are alert for such chicanes. But Celeste tricked dem 'n alight in the middle of the day wit the sun up at its highest. The place of my concealment now deep in the swamp, not half a mile from Massa's plantation, and a world apart. A world a tall trees whose long arms make fo' a canopy so dense dey keep away even the beams of the sun. It twilight always in Celeste's world, even in the brightest day. I will live there, and I will live freely. The overseers are a cowardly lot. Dey will not go where their dogs show fear and where it always be night. Others will join me in the twilight, and we ain't gunna be slaves no 'mo forever.
If the conversation concerns what is factual and what is not; there's no justice nor righteousness in slavery. I wouldn't own a slave if I was rich as Croesus, which I am not, as is perfectly well understood. More particularly among my creditors. There's another humbug: the credit system. Humbug, sir. No credit, no debt. Credit leads a man into temptation. Cash down is the only thing that will deliver him from evil. But this question of slavery; what right have you to your niggers when you come down to the point?
Well, boy. I understand I've got a larned nigger that writes letters and tries to get white fellows to mail 'em. Well, Armsby tol' me today the devil was among my niggers. That I had one that needed close watchin' or he would run away. When I axed him why, he said you come over to him and waked him up in the middle of the night and wanted him to carry a letter to Marksville. What have yah got to say to that?
I seen a good many of the black kind just where yah're. Sick. Make me sick. Often times the situation was resolved, and I think; what was all the beatin' and abuse for? Things end as they should, and the violence was for naught. So why cause trouble when they ain't no cause for it? Be of a cooperative nature, and things don't need be particularly unpleasant.
I am trying to save your life! And...I have a debt to be mindful of. That, now, is to Edwin Epps. He is a hard man. Prides himself on being a "nigger breaker." But truthfully I could find no others who would have you. You've made a reputation of yourself. Whatever your circumstances, you are an exceptional nigger, Platt. I fear no good will come of it.
Gentlemen... Whoever moves that nigger another foot from where he stands is a dead man. I am overseer of this plantation seven years, and in the absence of William Ford, my duty is to protect his interests. Ford holds a mortgage on Platt of four hundred dollars. If you hang him, he loses his debt. Until that is canceled you have no claim to his life.
Gentlemen... Whoever moves that nigger another foot from where he stands is a dead man. I am overseer of this plantation seven years, and in the absence of William Ford, my duty is to protect his interests. Ford holds a mortgage on Platt of four hundred dollars. If you hang him, he loses his debt. Until that is canceled you have no claim to his life.
SlugDB turns parsed screenplays into scene, character, dialogue, trivia, semantic search, Save the Cat, and API-ready analysis.
Use SlugDB when you need screenplay API data, movie dialogue search, character evidence, scene context, or MCP tools without building a scraper first.