Netflix fans have just days to watch 'inspirational' film with huge star

The powerful biographical drama, Harriet, tells the story of real-life hero, Harriet Tubman, who escaped slavery and went on to free hundreds of enslaved people during the civil war

The star of Wicked, Elphaba, is cast in a whole new light as Cynthia Erivo leads the charge in the powerful historical drama Harriet, set against the backdrop of a 1800s U. S plantation.

Harriet unfolds the incredible tale of Harriet Tubman, a real-life shero who broke free from the shackles of slavery to become a beacon of hope, aiding hundreds in their quest for freedom during the civil war. Tubman's unwavering courage not only altered the path of history but also stood as a foundational force in the fight to end slavery.

She endured an upbringing marred by violence on a Maryland plantation and lived through horrific injuries that plagued her since childhood.

Her daring escape in 1849 marked the beginning of a series of rescue missions, where she bravely returned to liberate her kinfolk and numerous others, leading them one by one to liberty.

Tubman etched her name in history books as the first woman to orchestrate an armed military raid on American soil. The cinematic retelling of her valiant battle for liberation has resonated with audiences worldwide, reports Surrey Live.

A critic on Rotten Tomatoes expressed their captivation: "Captured me from the start. Harriet is an exceptionally strong character. A very inspirational film."

Meanwhile, another review said: " This is a fantastic film about a dark time in America's history. The acting is superb. Definitely a film everyone should watch."

Initially released in 2019, this biographical drama showcases Cynthia Erivo's singing talents prior to her upcoming role in the 2024 musical Wicked. Her original song, Stand Up, which she wrote and performed, earned her prestigious nominations at the Grammy, Oscars, and Golden Globes.

Starring alongside Erivo are singer Janelle Monae and British actor Joe Alwyn, who portrays the owner of the enslaved individuals and the land on which they toil.

One enthusiastic review said: "I am literally obsessed with this movie! ! ! The music is amazing; the first few times I watched it, I would get chills when the singing happened.

"The storyline is amazing and very much gives you a very realistic view of how hard even the more northern slaves had it during the Civil War times.

"For how long the movie is, there was only one part that seemed a little slow but other than that the movie keeps my attention the whole time. It is also a very inspiring movie just to think and know how much she did and how much she's made an impact on so many."

Harriet was met with critical acclaim and achieved a global box office total of $44 million. The film garnered numerous significant nominations and holds an overall rating of 74% on a review site.

However, some viewers questioned the accuracy of the movement's depiction in the film. One viewer expressed disappointment, saying: "Well acted but slightly ridiculous. Harriet Tubman deserved better than the Hollywood version delivered here."

Despite this, the consensus appears to favour the film's emotive narrative, highlighting Cynthia Ervio's performance as exceptional.

The film is described as a rousing story of escape, belief, and liberty in one review that says: "Harriet is an exciting tale of escape, faith, and freedom."

The critique goes on to commend Erivo's portrayal: "Erivo captured the essence of a character sick of her old life with unwavering faith to start another. Although it doesn't break any storytelling barriers, I found Harriet to be moving and gained great respect for the figure represented on screen."

Harriet is currently available for streaming on Netflix, but hurry – it's set to leave the platform come June 1.