Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property

Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property

58 mins | Documentary | Feb. 16, 2003

In 1831, Nat Turner led a slave rebellion in the United States that resulted in the murder of local slave owners and their families, the eventual execution of 55 rebels and the retribution lynching of more than 200 innocent slaves. Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property examines how the story of Turner’s revolt has been interpreted throughout history and how it continues to raise new questions about the nature of terrorism and other forms of violent resistance to oppression. The film adopts an innovative structure by interspersing documentary footage and interviews with dramatizations of these different versions of Turner’s story. A unique collaboration between MacArthur Genius Award feature director Charles Burnett, acclaimed historian of slavery Kenneth S. Greenberg and Academy Award-nominated documentary producer Frank Christopher, Nat Turner is a compelling look at one of history’s most mysterious figures.

Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property

58 mins | Documentary | Feb. 16, 2003

Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property
In 1831, Nat Turner led a slave rebellion in the United States that resulted in the murder of local slave owners and their families, the eventual execution of 55 rebels and the retribution lynching of more than 200 innocent slaves. Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property examines how the story of Turner’s revolt has been interpreted throughout history and how it continues to raise new questions about the nature of terrorism and other forms of violent resistance to oppression. The film adopts an innovative structure by interspersing documentary footage and interviews with dramatizations of these different versions of Turner’s story. A unique collaboration between MacArthur Genius Award feature director Charles Burnett, acclaimed historian of slavery Kenneth S. Greenberg and Academy Award-nominated documentary producer Frank Christopher, Nat Turner is a compelling look at one of history’s most mysterious figures.
IMDb rating 6.8
Producers Subpix
Original title Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property
Directors Charles Burnett
Writers Kenneth S. Greenberg, Frank Christopher, Charles Burnett

Cast

Carl Lumbly

as Nat Turner - Gray

Justin Dray

as Thomas Gray

Megan Gallagher

as Margaret Whitehead

Charles Burnett

as Lucinda

Ossie Davis

as Himself

Frank Faucette

as Jesse

Harry Kollatz Jr.

as Benjamin Phipps

Alfre Woodard

as Narrator

William Styron

as Self

Raymond H. Johnson

as Virginia Militiaman reenactment

Shaun DePriest

as Moses

Kimberly Grey

as Sally Travers

Martha Minnow

as Self