The Book of Negroes: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Ratings

See All

6.6

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

6.6	Your Score
6.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

The Book Of Negroes

Now Playing: The Book Of Negroes

Season Details & Credits

CBC | BET | Season Premiere Date: January 7, 2015

Summary: Based on the novel by Lawrence Hill, it follows the life of a West African woman named Aminata Diallo (Aunjanue Ellis), who was sold into slavery in South Carolina before the American Revolution leads her to freedom via Nova Scotia, Sierra Leone, and finally England.

Genre(s): Drama, Movie/Mini-Series

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Season 1 Episodes

No episode information is currently available for this season

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Joanne Ostrow

Feb 12, 2015

Graphic cruelty, not to mention violence, makes for difficult viewing in this lavishly produced miniseries. But it’s worthwhile, especially as director Clement Virgo has opened a new window on the experience of blacks in Canada. Read full review

Sarah Rodman

Feb 17, 2015

The characters are fleshed out with multiple layers — at one point Aminata is granted something of a reprieve by a British benefactor, but he is by no means saintly — and moments of easy humor and romance are woven skillfully into the story. Read full review

Ellen Gray

Feb 17, 2015

Although it's not always easy to watch, it kept me riveted over a recent weekend. Read full review

Robert Lloyd

Feb 17, 2015

The heroine's fearless and clever character, the self-knowledge and self-possession her tormentors lack, and her gift for survival are fixed from first to last. She is sometimes thwarted but never altered. If this makes The Book of Negroes less psychologically complex than it otherwise might be, there are real pleasures and comforts to be had from it. Read full review

Whitney Matheson

Feb 17, 2015

As Aminata Diallo (Aunjanue Ellis) reminds herself and others repeatedly, one must never give up--and it’s this steadfast hope that makes the story a particularly compelling television event. Read full review

Gail Pennington

Feb 17, 2015

A Canadian-South African co-production, it's gracefully directed by Clement Virgo ("The Wire") and gorgeously filmed, mostly in South Africa. Soapy? A little, but so was "Roots." Read full review

Brian Lowry

Feb 13, 2015

Although history obviously mixes with fiction, there’s enough here left under-covered by traditional textbooks to make The Book of Negroes an intriguing window into the period. Read full review

SEE ALL 9 REVIEWS

User Score

Write a Review

6.6

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

User Reviews

RichardGonci

Feb 16, 2015

Every shot "prettier" than the last. How is one branded without the searing of flesh rendered without smoke? Terrible art direction and camera work. No evidence of living scriptwriter. Don't get me started on the lighting direction. A worthy story reduced to a child's fairy tale level ofEvery shot "prettier" than the last. How is one branded without the searing of flesh rendered without smoke? Terrible art direction and camera work. No evidence of living scriptwriter. Don't get me started on the lighting direction. A worthy story reduced to a child's fairy tale level of production values.… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

SEE ALL 2 REVIEWS

More From Metacritic

What to Watch Right Now on Paramount+

Find a list of the best recent and upcoming film and TV titles added to...

What to Watch Right Now on Amazon's Prime Video

Get a list of the best movie and TV titles recently added (and coming...