12 Years A Slave by Solomon Northup
Mon Feb 02 2026
Welcome to Offscript, the podcast where literature meets cinema. Each week, hosts Bri & Alli compare books to their movie adaptations — exploring what worked, what didn’t, and whether the book really was better than the movie. From timeless classics to today’s bestsellers, we break down characters, themes, and the creative choices that shape stories on page and screen.
🎬 This Week on Offscript: 12 Years a Slave
This week, Bri & Alli explore the harrowing, powerful, and deeply moving story of 12 Years a Slave. Based on Solomon Northup’s true account, the film tells the story of a free Black man whose life is violently stolen when he is kidnapped and sold into slavery. Unflinching and emotionally raw, 12 Years a Slave confronts the brutal realities of slavery while highlighting resilience, dignity, and the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable injustice.
📖 Story Summary
In the years before the Civil War, Solomon Northup, a free Black man living in upstate New York, is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the American South. Enduring years of physical and emotional cruelty under multiple enslavers, Solomon struggles to survive while holding on to his identity and hope. In his twelfth year of captivity, a chance encounter with a Canadian abolitionist offers a final opportunity for freedom—and justice.
Author: Solomon Northup
Director: Steve McQueen
Screenplay Writer: John Ridley
📚🎬 Coming Up Next on Offscript: Cyrano de Bergerac
Next week, Bri & Alli take on the wit, romance, and tragedy of Cyrano de Bergerac, comparing Edmond Rostand’s iconic play with its film adaptations. The story follows a brilliant poet and swordsman whose sharp tongue and eloquent words conceal deep insecurities—especially when it comes to love. As Cyrano helps another man woo the woman he adores, his selfless devotion raises timeless questions about identity, pride, and sacrifice.
Tune in as Bri & Alli break down how Cyrano de Bergerac translates from page to screen, exploring what each adaptation changes, emphasizes, or leaves behind. From poetic language to visual storytelling, this episode examines how the heart of Cyrano’s story survives—or transforms—across mediums, and what is gained or lost when a literary classic becomes a film.
✨ Subscribe & Listen
Subscribe to Offscript: The Book vs. Movie Podcast on your favorite platform — Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube — for weekly deep dives into your favorite books-to-movies adaptations.
Whether you’re a film lover, avid reader, or both, Offscript is your go-to podcast for thoughtful discussions where literature meets film.
A huge thank you to our sponsor – CAVE, be sure to check out their website here!
Check out our website here! Follow us on Facebook, TikTok & Instagram!
Props to Ashen for our adorable artwork, Adam Daniel for our awesome theme song, and Brianna Daniel, LLC for producing our podcast!
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/offscript/exclusive-content
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Welcome to Offscript, the podcast where literature meets cinema. Each week, hosts Bri & Alli compare books to their movie adaptations — exploring what worked, what didn’t, and whether the book really was better than the movie. From timeless classics to today’s bestsellers, we break down characters, themes, and the creative choices that shape stories on page and screen. 🎬 This Week on Offscript: 12 Years a Slave This week, Bri & Alli explore the harrowing, powerful, and deeply moving story of 12 Years a Slave. Based on Solomon Northup’s true account, the film tells the story of a free Black man whose life is violently stolen when he is kidnapped and sold into slavery. Unflinching and emotionally raw, 12 Years a Slave confronts the brutal realities of slavery while highlighting resilience, dignity, and the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable injustice. 📖 Story Summary In the years before the Civil War, Solomon Northup, a free Black man living in upstate New York, is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the American South. Enduring years of physical and emotional cruelty under multiple enslavers, Solomon struggles to survive while holding on to his identity and hope. In his twelfth year of captivity, a chance encounter with a Canadian abolitionist offers a final opportunity for freedom—and justice. Author: Solomon Northup Director: Steve McQueen Screenplay Writer: John Ridley 📚🎬 Coming Up Next on Offscript: Cyrano de Bergerac Next week, Bri & Alli take on the wit, romance, and tragedy of Cyrano de Bergerac, comparing Edmond Rostand’s iconic play with its film adaptations. The story follows a brilliant poet and swordsman whose sharp tongue and eloquent words conceal deep insecurities—especially when it comes to love. As Cyrano helps another man woo the woman he adores, his selfless devotion raises timeless questions about identity, pride, and sacrifice. Tune in as Bri & Alli break down how Cyrano de Bergerac translates from page to screen, exploring what each adaptation changes, emphasizes, or leaves behind. From poetic language to visual storytelling, this episode examines how the heart of Cyrano’s story survives—or transforms—across mediums, and what is gained or lost when a literary classic becomes a film. ✨ Subscribe & Listen Subscribe to Offscript: The Book vs. Movie Podcast on your favorite platform — Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube — for weekly deep dives into your favorite books-to-movies adaptations. Whether you’re a film lover, avid reader, or both, Offscript is your go-to podcast for thoughtful discussions where literature meets film. A huge thank you to our sponsor – CAVE, be sure to check out their website here! Check out our website here! Follow us on Facebook, TikTok & Instagram! Props to Ashen for our adorable artwork, Adam Daniel for our awesome theme song, and Brianna Daniel, LLC for producing our podcast! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/offscript/exclusive-content