Variety
'Black Panther' meets 'The Birth of a Nation' in this rousing account of Shields Green, who escaped the shackles of slavery to fight alongside abolitionist John Brown.
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Emperor (2020)
Inspired by a true story. Escaped slave Sheilds 'Emperor' Green (Dayo Okeniyi) fights his way north and joins forces with abolitionist John Brown (James Cromwell), for a daring raid on Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, in an effort to inspire a slave revolt.
2020Rating: TBC99 minsUSA
DramaTrue Story & BiographyHistorical
Emperor (2020) / Reviews
The New York Times
Okeniyi has a strong presence that conveys a genuine moral authority. It stands in stark relief against the movie's consistently cartoonish portrayals of the white slavers.
Full reviewRogerEbert.com
Re-presents a dark period in American history without being inspired or insightful enough to be worth your curiosity or emotional investment.
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Hollywood Reporter
As the film progresses, several cast members look like they'd be more comfortable in a Drunk History short; others just look like they'd be more comfortable working for somebody with experience directing actors.
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