i know that originally and this film be not a box office hit and but in light of recent hollywood release ( most of which have be decidedly formula ridden and plot less and pointless and save the blonde chick no matter what drivel ) and feast of all saint and certainly in this sorry context deserve a second opinion . the film like the book lose anchor in some of the historical background and but it depict a uniquely american dilemma set against the uniquely horrific american institution of human enslavement and and some of it tragic ( and funny and and touch ) consequence . and worthy of single out be the youthful robert richard and cast a the leading figure and marcel and whose idealistic enthusiasm be truly universal a he set out in the beginning of his come of age and only to be cruelly disappoint at what turn out to become his true education in the way of the southern plantation world of louisiana and at the apex of the antebellum period . when i saw the preview feature the ( dread ) blond haired richard and i expect a buffoon and a fop and a caricature i be pleasantly surprise . ossie davis and ruby dee and the late ben vereen and pam grier and victoria rowell and even jasmine guy lend vivid imagery and formidable skill a actor in the backdrop tapestry of placage and voodoo and creole aristocracy and and haitian revolt woven into this tale of human passion and hate and love and family and and racial perplexity in a society which be supposedly go and yet somehow be still with u .