Emancipation follows the story of an African-American slave named Peter as he struggles to escape slavery and find his way to Lincoln’s army. The movie is now streaming on Apple TV+.
Warning: This article contains heavy spoilers
Plot summary
On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaims the enslaved people in the rebellious states to be free.
In Louisiana, 350,000 enslaved people now have a choice. They can either stay in bondage and wait for the Union army to liberate them, or they can free themselves.
Peter, a slave working for Captain John Lyons, is taken by the army to Clinton to build a railroad. Peter is forced to bid his family goodbye as he is brought to a camp where slaves are treated ruthlessly.
Each and every day, the slaves question why God is not showing them mercy. Peter tries to keep everyone together, but he certainly has no answer to this.
During his time at the camp, Peter meets Jim Fassel, who compares his slaves to his dogs and treats them viciously. Fassel declares himself to be Peter’s only God.
News travels through the camp that Lincoln has freed the slaves, and all of these slaves are now running toward Baton Rouge, where Lincoln’s army is.
Peter tells this to some of his companions, and one of them claims that he has also heard this news. Peter suggests that they should run through the swamp and make their way to Baton Rouge.
One of his companions argues that traveling through the swamp means they could die. Peter replies that they are dying at this camp anyway.
Peter waits for the right moment and attacks the men guarding him. He then runs for the swamp, followed by his companions.
One of them loses the courage to jump into the swamp filled with crocodiles. He eventually gets caught by Fassel’s dog, and Fassel later kills him.
Peter and his two surviving companions part ways in order to make it harder for Fassel to track them. They plan to follow the sound of Lincoln’s cannon.
On his way to Baton Rouge, Peter is put through a test of survival. He fights a crocodile and finds shelter and water in abandoned houses.
He makes the best use of nature to guard himself against Fassel’s dogs that are tracking his scent.
Fassel’s men were surprised to see how far Peter has gone. Fassel, on the other hand, knew the survival instincts men like Peter have.
Peter manages to get rid of Fassel’s men, who soon find him while he is trying to save a kid who had barely survived an attack.
The following day, he comes close to a shore. From there, he hears Lincoln’s cannon loud and clear. Jim Fassel shows up out of nowhere and destroys his hopes of ever reaching Lincoln’s army.
He humbles Peter down and asks him to beg for mercy. He proceeds to remind Peter that he is his God.
Emancipation ending explained in detail:
Who saves Peter?
Jim Fassel was seconds away from killing Peter when a shot from behind killed Fassel, who fell into Peter’s arms. Peter lets him know that he is not his God before he dies.
The Louisiana Native Guard, led by Captain Andre Cailloux, comes to aid Peter, who questions if they are with Lincoln. They admit that they are and take Peter to their camp.
Back at the camp, the doctors are surprised to see how Peter has managed to survive and travel through the swamps. Two men capture a photograph of Peter and the scars on his back in an attempt to show the world what slavery looks like.
He is further questioned about where he came from and who he has worked for. Peter is then asked to choose whether he will work on the federal farms or join the army, which will not only help him reunite with his family but will also help him free them.
Does Peter survive the battle?
Captain Cailloux brings Peter to meet the general, who learns from Peter about the big cannons their enemies have at Clinton.
The general glances at his picture, and he deems Peter to be unfit for the battle they are about to go on.
The general wonders if he is a runner or a fighter. Peter backs himself up and gives a detailed account of the torture he has suffered over the years. The general vows that they will test how tough he is on the battlefield.
The big cannons give the Louisiana Native Guard a tough time. When Captain Cailloux dies on the field, Peter takes the lead and encourages his fellow soldiers to pursue the cannons.
The battle ends with the Louisiana Native Guard marking their victory over the rival army by hoisting their flag. Peter, alive and well, along with the surviving soldiers, goes to Captain Lyon’s cotton plantation to announce that the slaves are free.
Does Peter reunite with his family?
Captain Lyons gets killed, and the slaves at the cotton plantation rejoice upon hearing that they are free. They are assured that God is looking down on them.
Peter looks for his family amidst the crowd and eventually finds them. The family sits down to pray and thank God. Peter’s iconic image, taken at the camp, travels the world. The image becomes a rallying cry against slavery.
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