Book vs. movie

On the following pages, you can read about the book Twelve Years a Slave by Samuel Northup, on which the movie 12 Years a Slave is based.

Plot differences

The memoir Twelve Years a Slave recounts Solomon Northup’s true experiences after he was kidnapped and sold into slavery where he spent twelve years before he could regain his freedom. Northup recounted his story to David Wilson who wrote and published it in 1853.

The film 12 Years a Slave offers a mostly faithful adaptation of the source material. However, there are a few differences in plot and tone, mostly due to the difficulties of transferring the events from the text to the screen.

One of the main differences is the omission of certain events. Northup’s book begins with a long introduction about his life, detailing where he was born, where he worked, how he met his wife, Anne Hampton, got married, and moved to Saratoga Springs. In the book, Northup also has three children, Elizabeth, Margaret, and Alonzo, while in the movie he only has two, Margaret and Alonzo.

Another omission is the smallpox epidemic that breaks out after the ship voyage to New Orleans. Northup and Eliza fall ill, and it is even believed that they will die, although they get better eventually. Also, while in the film Eliza is sent away by Ford’s wife and Solomon does not know what happens to her, in the book we are told that she eventually falls ill and dies. There also is a second attack by Tibeats that is not mentioned in the film. Solomon also makes several attempts to escape throughout the years, although all are unsuccessful. 

The film also added a few extra scenes that were not in the book, mostly for emotional impact. One notable example is Uncle Abram’s funeral. While there is a character named Uncle Abram in the book, he does not die, but remains at Epps’ plantation after Northup is rescued. Also, while in the film Solomon tries to tell Ford that his name is not Platt, in the book, he only reveals his true identity to Burch, who whips him brutally. Afterwards, Solomon keeps silent about who he is for twelve years, until he meets B...