Through film, history can be dramatized, exaggerated and fictionalized. The sole purpose of this genre of film is to entertain an audience while trying to depict history. While Steven Spielberg's Amistad was definitely no exception, it raised fascinating issues regarding natural law opposed to positive law. Two noteworthy philosophers who advocated each a different law are Plato, who supported natural law, and Austin who supported positive law. Because of the diverse views of both the natural and positive law, Plato's beliefs suggested the slaves in the film were justified in their actions, whereas Austin's did not.

Plato was essentially an idealist who proposed the idea that law should expose particular truths and virtues. He understood that humans were incapable of finding real justice. He contended the idea that a just man should disobey unjust laws. This was precisely the case of Cinque, an African slave from Sierra Leone...