The main character from Africa who was captured as a slave. He only speaks Mende.
Roger Sherman Baldwin
A young attorney who agrees to represent Cinque.
John Quincy Adams
Former President of the US, who is a little crazy, but has wisdom. He also us a former lawyer, and will represent the 44 Africans at the end of the film.
(Sir Anthony Hopkins)
An educated freedman who is an abolitionist, dedicates his life to end slavery. Helps Cinque and the other Africans
A Christian abolitionist who wants to end slavery
AMISTAD: Pro-Slavery Characters
Queen Isabella II
The Queen of Spain. She is still very young and easily influenced by her advisors. Spain still engages in slavery. She claims the slaves are hers, since La Amistad is a Spanish ship.
President Martin Van Buren
The current President of the United States. Does not actually want to have anything to do with this issue because it will cause conflict between North/South.
John C. Calhoun
Southern Senator and the Spanish Ambassador. He supports slavery. He warns the President that if he goes along with abolishment, the South will have to go to war.
Secretary of State who wants to sentence the 44 Africans into slavery
William S. Holabird
The District Attorney who wants to sentence the 44 Africans into slavery
AMISTAD: Other Important Characters
One of the slave traders sailing La Amistad.
An officer in the Royal Navy and a former slave. He is originally from West Africa and can act as a translator because he speaks Mende.
Second leader from West Africa, and Cinque’s main rival for leadership; He is eventually converted to Christianity by the Americans.
The judge in the courtroom, who ultimately feels the Africans should be returned to Africa.
British naval commander assigned to patrol the West Africa coastline to enforce the British Empire's anti-slavery policies.
Judge Joseph Story
The Judge in the Supreme Court rules in the court case.