Back in 1984, one of my favorite anthology series, PBS’s American Playhouse, presented a fact-based telemovie drama called Solomon Northup’s Odyssey, directed by Gordon Parks and starring Avery Brooks in the title role, as a free black man kidnapped and sold into slavery in the mid-19th century. This excellent telemovie was based on Northup’s memoir, Twelve Years a Slave – which also serves as the inspiration for this powerful 2013 movie, directed by Steve McQueen and starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, recently seen in another impressive period drama, the miniseries Dancing on the Edge. He’s terrific – and so is Lupita Nyong’o, who won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her film debut as Patsey, a fellow slave. McQueen’s direction is so full of energy and vitality, some scenes are very difficult to watch – but must be seen.