Underground Railroad: The William Still Story Film Essay

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“Underground Railroad: The William Still Story” is a film about a formerly enslaved person who escaped through the Underground Railroad. This film documents William Still, an influential slave who risked his life to free others from slavery. During his time on the Underground Railroad, William helped approximately eight hundred slaves to escape (Drewery, 2012). He documented and kept records of all who passed through the Philadelphia station where he worked and published secret notes. His book provides evidence of the activities on the underground railroad. The film contains dramatic and heroic stories that were part of the most humanitarian enterprise in the 19th century. It outlines the complicated network of black slaves, white sympathizers, and safe houses. This film, released in 2012, was made by The Canada Media Fund, The Canadian National Railway, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which was directed by Laine Drewery.

William was a boy when he helped the first person to escape; he never knew the slave’s name, but the soldiers were hunting him. He realized that there were many more to help, and he vowed that their stories would get documented. In 1847, William became a clerk for the Pennsylvania Society for the Abolition of Slavery. He used this opportunity to shelter enslaved people until they could find their way far to the north. One of the slaves he helped was his elder brother, who was still in slavery after their mother’s escape (Drewery, 2012). Such experiences made William want to keep these records and document his actions. The film depicts a time when hatred towards slaves was extreme in the United States. Many citizens were not pleased with the laws to grant them freedom. Countless Americans, especially from the south, took to the streets to oppose this movement, which motivated William to document these stories.

The movie describes William’s childhood and daily chores, including chopping wood. He was born to a family of former slaves who had just gained freedom and settled in New Jersey. His father, Mr Steel, changed his name to Still to protect his wife, Sidney, who had permanently moved in after a successful attempt to escape slavery in Maryland (Drewery, 2012). Since the beginning of American slavery, fugitives have always used secret escape routes. However, these routes were secret until the time of William and his support. Sidney tried several times to escape with her four children but, on many occasions, got captured and sent back to slavery. Her final attempt bore fruits; however, she only managed to escape with two of his children, leaving others behind. The scenes at home portray William as a restless man who questions the reasons for slavery. In the final events, the film features images believed to be of individual slaves whom William helped. William and the organized Fugitive Aid Effort were never shy of their intentions to help destroy slavery.

The film blends characters, stories, and historical contexts with shocking and touching accounts of the slave trade. The historical accuracy of this movie was timely; it was released in the year 2012, a time when historians argued that the underground railroad had become a dead issue. The predominant voices of the program are that of William Still and the selection of freedom seekers whose stories helped define the era. The film uses more powerful diaries and historical perspectives to give evidence of slavery in America; it recreates one of North America’s greatest sagas (Drewery, 2012). The Underground Railroad is much more than a film and historical lesson; it avoids conflicting issues and alternates lyrical passages of magical realism, focusing more on the wounds inflicted by the history of slavery. The actors of this film use costumes and language that clearly show how the actual events took place. Even though the film is shot in the modern era, the scripting and the set of costumes make it look natural. It is a beautiful, moving, and terrifying film that is both profoundly genuine and poetic.

In conclusion, “The Underground Railroad: The Williams Still Story” is a more informative film that provides evidence of slavery in early America. History students reading about the slave trade cannot go without watching this film. It informs learners of the most important historical record book. This film instills courage and confidence in viewers; William, through this movie, inspires many people to do what is right, no matter the risks. He sacrificed his life against all odds to help slaves escape and documented their names, believing they would unite someday with their families (Drewery, 2012). It is a well-made, well-written film that provides a valuable learning experience for viewers. At the time of his death, William Still was recognized as the “Father of the Underground Railroad,” acknowledging his efforts in ensuring many enslaved people escaped. With the help of white abolitionists, William successfully placed his name on the pages of history books. Even though he recognizes several contributions of the white man in abolishing slavery, he portrays the fugitives as courageous individuals who struggled for their freedom.

Reference

Drewery, L. (2012). Underground railroad: The William Still story. 90th Parallel Film and Television Productions

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