The American heroine was more than history lets on

Growing up in the public school system, kids in America learn certain names that become synonymous with American values. We think of George Washington, and how he couldn’t tell a lie, or of Abraham Lincoln and his famous speech at Gettysburg — but one name stands above the rest in this month’s most famous biopic — “Harriet.”

“Harriet” follows the story of Harriet Tubman, an African-American slave who ran away from her master’s plantation in 1849. From then on, she spent her life working for the underground railroad, transporting slaves to freedom and later serving in the U.S. Civil War. 

The movie has received mixed reviews since its release date on Nov. 1, with many of the film’s opponents claiming “Harriet” glorifies the historical hero too much, making her less human and more of a “magical figure.” At their worst, “Harriet” critics claim the movie is leftist ploy to get Tubman on the 20-dollar-bill, or that it is a sham by “woke” activists to make black people undeservingly sympathetic. 

To say these critics have missed the point is an understatement.

“Harriet” is, first and foremost, an honorable retelling of a great American hero who risked her life continuously in pursuit of freedom, not only for herself, but for all those who were enslaved. The movie does not shy away from Tubman’s relationship with God, although many secular critics seem to wish it had.

Throughout the film, Tubman experiences fainting spells which are thought to have been caused by trauma to the head when she was younger. However, it becomes clear early on that she is receiving the gift of prophecy from God. 

As in real life, Tubman is compared to Moses, an Old Testament prophet who led Hebrew slaves out of Egypt many centuries ago. In the movie, Tubman sings, “Go Down Moses,” an African-American spiritual, which encourages slaves to follow her back to free lands.

Tubman’s relationship with God is a documented historical fact, but is often ignored in her retellings. Most of the time, people focus on her identity as an abolitionist while actively ignoring her visions and prayers.

“Harriet” has many scenes of Tubman praying, asking questions, begging and at times, calling out in pain to God. Each time, she is met with God’s abundant love and mercy as God shows her visions of the near future to guide her in her expeditions. 

In one of the most compelling scenes, Tubman leads her family and friends to freedom. Among her group is an elderly woman and a baby. The group knows only one way to promise land, as they call it — over the bridge where many slave masters wait to recapture them. Tubman leads the group confidently towards the bridge, unaware of the dangers that lay ahead, when she is suddenly overcome with one of her ‘spells.’

The group becomes worried, knowing the masters are on their tail, but one of Tubman’s brothers stops another from grabbing her, saying, “She is talking with God.” When Tubman’s eyes open, she knows the bridge is too dangerous. Trusting the word of God, she leads the worried group across the river, walking alone at first in a Christ-like fashion. 

Secular critics are fast to call her character in this film magical, or to say that she is psychic, but that is neither what the movie nor the real life Tubman claimed. Rather, both the adaptation and the hero hold to the truth that God found favor in this strong woman and used her to help God’s people. 

In a way, “Harriet” is one of the best Christian films to have been released in recent years, as it shows how God is faithful even in the midst of trauma and injustice. The movie rightly honors Tubman as an incredible, brave woman, but doesn’t shy away from her relationship with God, and how God guided her to mercy, love and justice.