Scene summaries

The film 12 Years a Slave directed by Steve McQueen begins by showing several scenes from the life of Solomon Northup, who is a slave on a plantation. Solomon is picking sugar cane with the other slaves. Then, he is eating, and he looks at the blackberry juice. He later uses the juice to write a letter. At night, he is restless, and a woman who is lying next to him urges him to perform sexual acts with her and then she starts to cry. Solomon remembers lying in bed next to his wife, many years ago. 

Act 1

Saratoga, New York

Solomon Northop, a free black man who lives in Saratoga with his family, is playing the violin to a group of white people who are dancing. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves, including Solomon. At home, Solomon’s son and daughter are playing with toy instruments when Solomon comes and puts them to bed. As he closes the door, he can hear his children still giggling. That night, Solomon lies in bed next to his wife, Anne, and expresses his disappointment that Anne has to go away for a few days. The next day, Anne leaves with the children, and Solomon sees them off as they get in a carriage.

Solomon is strolling across a field at an event when an acquaintance of his, Mr. Moon, introduces him to two men, Mr. Brown and Mr. Hamilton. Brown and Hamilton claim they do circus performances and that they need someone to play music for their performances in Washington. They promise to cover Solomon’s travel expenses and to pay him well if he agrees to come with them. Solomon seems excited at the prospect.

Washington

Solomon arrives in Washington together with Brown and Hamilton. He seems delighted by the sights.

On the final night, Solomon is celebrating in a restaurant with Brown and Hamilton. The two pay him, and Solomon is pleased, because it is much more than he usually makes.

Solomon does not remember what happens for the rest of the night. He recalls being sick, then Brown and Hamilton carry him to his room and put him to bed. Hamilton remains for a while by Solomon’s bedside trying to comfort him, but Brown urges him to leave, as they can do nothing more for Solomon.

Burch’s dungeon

Solomon wakes up to discover that he is chained alone in a dark room. He tries to free himself but is unable to do so. Burch and Radburn enter the dungeon. Solomon tries to tell them that he is a free man from Saratoga and that his name is Solomon Northup. Burch asks if he has papers to prove this, but Solomon does not. Burch tells him that he is not Solomon Northup from Saratoga but a runaway slave from Georgia. Solomon denies this. Burch and Radburn whip him, but Solomon still refuses to say that he is a slave. 

Later, Radburn comes with new clothes, but Solomon refuses them, as the shirt he is wearing was made by his wife. Still, Radburn does not seem to care and insists that Solomon should change clothes.

Some time later, Solomon is outside the dungeon with several other prisoners. One of them is a young boy named Randall who keeps asking about his mo...