ENSLAVEMENT:

THE TRUE STORY OF FANNY KEMBLE

REVIEWED BY CHARITY BISHOP

Our rating: 3 out of 5

Because of: nudity, sexual content, thematic elements

Rated:

While the writings of Harriet Beecher Stowe did a great deal in the fight to abolish slavery in the Union, no less noteworthy was the influence of Fanny Kemble, a popular English author and actress who successfully convinced Parliament through her controversial writings to halt their support of the Confederates due to their stance on slavery. This film follows the true story of a young woman of remarkable courage, who flouted convention to become one of the most prominent activists for equality in the nation.

Plantation owner Pierce Butler (Keith Carradine) has never known a woman like Fannie Kemble. Beautiful, opinionated, and talented in the arts, the young British thespian (Jane Seymour) is touring the United States as a member of her father's traveling theatrical production. Each evening a single white rose is left in her dressing room. Only when she meets Pierce at a social event does she distinguish its origin. Advised by her family and friends against seeking any form of a relationship with the likable and evasive southern gentleman, Fannie longs to escape the spotlight through marriage. This leads her to accept Pierce's proposal, but shortly after their marriage she discovers that he is not as supportive of her ventures as she supposed. Attempts to halt her publication of her private journals, a series of scathing comments on American society, drive a rift between them that only further widens when he transplants his family from city life into the country.

On the thriving plantation are a number of ill-treated slaves. Appalled by their living conditions and ill health, Fanny does everything within her power to alter their misfortune. Goading her husband's cruel overseer into unwitting assistance, Fannie is horrified when Pierce reveals a brutal nature. One of the slaves is flogged for complaining. Others are tracked down like dogs in the event of their escape. Her only alley comes in the form of Dr. Hudson (James Keach), a local silent activist for human rights and active member of the Underground Railroad. Dealing with difficulties in her marriage, repressed hatred for the man that dominates her waking hours, and struggling to fight for feminism and equality in a prejudiced world, Fanny enlists the assistance of her dear friend Elizabeth (Janet-Laine Green) in helping slaves escape to the north. It is a dangerous time in which to be involved, and may bring our intrepid heroine to her knees.

Contrary to what I first believed, this is not a one-sided look at the brutality of slaves, but a thoughtful perusal of one woman's remarkable passion for justice. While the film does have some prominent content issues to be contended with, the script is extremely well written, giving us two-dimensional figures never written off as sentimental or overly vile. Pierce is a semi-villain, willing to whip his wife for protecting a slave against punishment, but is also a loving husband and father. His redemption toward the end of the film comes as a welcome surprise. Fanny has a well-grounded faith that is often referenced in conversation. Her husband attempts to manipulate the scriptures to exercise control over her, but the film undermines the message with nudity and sexual content. The very first scene is a slave sneaking away to make love to his wife. He is dragged off her by his masters, revealing (briefly) her naked breasts. We could have also done without a lengthy scene in which Pierce undresses and makes love to Fanny. The camera pans up her naked side several times, barely avoiding explicit nudity.

Dr. Hudson and Fanny have a relationship built on attraction, but never act on their feelings. Fanny opens her chemise and musses her hair to make slave hunters believe that she was involved in a tryst with him in the barn. There are several uses of GD, and mild profanities. Violence exists of several brutal floggings. Fanny is struck with a whip, drawing blood; she is also slapped so hard that she careens to the ground. I wish that HBO had shown a little more restraint with this production, since it has a lot of worthwhile lessons to impart.