This is a difficult movie for me to rate. On the one hand, it did add some odd things which was not in the book. But Solomon Northrop's book, ghost written by a white man, also appeared to not be entirely accurate. But that does not detract from the importance and impact of the book. And I think that the "creative license" used in this movie does not detract too much from the importance of the movie. Alterations to facts usually lesson the quality of movies for me. But that was less for me with this movie.

I will admit that some of the violence in the movie was hard for me to watch. But I get that it was important to not water things down, especially since some people try to do that so that slavery doesn't seem as bad as it was. But some violence was extended too much for me.

The movie does have pacing issues. Some of the long, lingering shots could have been eliminated and then some of the important missing parts of the book could have been fit in. There were some dramatic elements of the book which I would have liked to see portrayed.

I think that the movie could have been better. But I also think that bringing Solomon Northrop's story to a larger audience is also important. I actually think that his story would make for a great miniseries.