Captive Heart: The James Mink Story

Purchased this movie after seeing it on T.V. and had to have my own. If you are a Louis Gossett fan you should add this to your collection. Things like this happened in real life and it can never be forgotten.

This story reveals the conflict of two laws. Virginia says slavery is legal. Canada says slavery is illegal. Who is right? Who can "legal" slaves appeal to? Is the right of the state absolute? Where does morality reside, in the majority or in the human heart?James Mink's daughter is kidnapped from freedom in Canada and then sold into slavery in Virgina. Mink recieves word. He appeals to Canadian government. They side with their fellow rulers in Virgina. The only aid Mink can find is the Quakers Underground Railroad. They provide training and transportation. Mink and his wife free the daughter at the risk of their lives.The obvious drama is the fight to free the daughter. The subtext is the amazing support slavery recieves by the Virginia populace. Why? It is the law. This is repeated many times in the story. Mink, and the viewer, can barely believe such wickedness. The devout Quaker's clearly reject Virgina law for "a higher law".Are all these Virginians evil? Story includes a scene of the slave master crying over the death of his "Mammy", who was beaten to death. He is heartbroken. Evil? Wicked? What? Where does law end and morality start? Where does morality start and law end?Other films with similar theme are: "Amazing Grace", story about Wilberforce fighting for abolition in England; "Belle" about the first ruling against salvery in Britain; "Polycarp" which recounts the early Christian rejection of Caesar worship; and "Hitler on Trial" relating the effort of a Jewish lawyer to convict Hitler of murder.All these are real history. All these present the same question, What is the basis, the foundation of law? Majority vote or minority justice? Can "higher" law bring justice that the "state" cannot?This is a fine drama. I wondered: "If I was there, which side would I support? How much would I risk?" Thought provoking.

No matter how many times I see or hear of it, I can't get my mind around this dark part of history. It's just so heartbreaking. This movie is good. It's intense. There are some issues with it but overall, it's well done.

This is a good movie, but I was disappointed that the story is only loosely based on the history of Canadian James Mink rescuing his daughter Minnie (Mary in the movie) from slavery on a Virginia tobacco plantation. The escape of another slave who ended up marrying the daughter is a "compilation" of historical accounts of escaped slaves, and this never happened in connection with Minnie's escape.After watching the movie, I researched biographical accounts of the Mink family. Because the account from midway through the movie to the end is fabricated/fictional, I only gave it four stars. Yet, it is a good story, holding the viewer's interest until the film's end.The movie version has a "happy ending". But In real life (according to Wikipedia's biographical information on James Mink), "after Minnie returned to Toronto, it appears she had a son, [living] with her parents...and then an arsonist [set fire] to the Mink hotel and livery. They lost everything. Eventually, trains transported people and so George and James Mink's business fizzled away. James Mink died in 1866 and it appears he was living alone near today's Windsor Arms Hotel in Toronto. He is buried in the Riverdale Cemetery in the area of Toronto known as Cabbagetown."

Realistic portrayal of slavery in the US and Canada in the 1800's. Mostly based on true events. Great cast.

This movie was very inspiring and entertaining without being preachy. The great Louis Gossett plays the central role and is convincing as a free black, wealthy entrepreneur during slavery. I know that it sounds oxymoronic - free, black, wealthy, entrepreneur are seldom used in one sentence to describe any black person before the emancipation proclamation. This particular character lives in Canada. A family friendly movie. However, the viewers should be over 13 because of the nature of the film. (racism, betrayal, denigration of others based purely on color).Movie was well worth the money that I spent for it and I would recommend it highly!

This movie was on T.V. once, years ago and I have been looking for it since then. It is a true story and a very important piece of American History that needs to be told. Sadly, this is the first time that I have been able to find it, when it should be alongside Roots, and all the other important movies of this genre. It is a good teaching tool and it belongs in your video library no matter what race you are. The DVD itself is in execllent condition and was delivered on time. I'm glad I was able to find here, as even special libraries that I had asked had never even heard of this story.

Very good buy