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Black Jack is a 1979 British drama film directed by Ken Loach with a screenplay written by Jim Allen. The film stars Stephen Hirst in the titular role of Black Jack, a young boy who is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the 18th century. The story begins with Black Jack living a happy life in a small village with his mother and father, who work as farmers. However, one night when Black Jack is sleeping, he is kidnapped and sold to a slave trader by a group of men who break into his home. The rest of the film concerns Black Jack's journey as a slave, and the various people he meets along the way.

One of the people who becomes a significant influence in Black Jack's life is a man named Tolly, played by Jean Franval. Tolly is a slave who has managed to escape and is now living as a fugitive. He takes Black Jack under his wing and teaches him how to survive in the harsh world of slavery. Through Tolly, Black Jack learns about the resistance movement that is fighting against slavery. Tolly is also a fan of the game of blackjack, and he teaches Black Jack how to play.

Along the way, Black Jack also meets a young girl named Jess (Louise Cooper), who is also a slave. Jess and Black Jack develop a deep bond and form a close friendship. Jess is more worldly-wise than Black Jack and teaches him about the realities of the world they live in. Together, they struggle against their captors and the oppressive system of slavery that enslaves them.

The acting in Black Jack is strong, especially considering that many of the cast were non-professional actors. Stephen Hirst gives a convincing performance as Black Jack, and he manages to portray the emotional depth and complexity of the character, despite his young age. Jean Franval is also excellent as Tolly, bringing a quiet dignity and wisdom to the role. Louise Cooper is equally impressive as Jess, bringing a sense of resilience and strength to her character.

Visually, Black Jack is an impressive film, with beautiful cinematography by Chris Menges. The film is shot in a naturalistic style, which gives it a sense of authenticity and realism. The locations, many of them in the West Country and Bristol, also add to the feeling of historical accuracy.

One of the most striking aspects of Black Jack is its focus on the humanity of its characters, even those who are slave traders or plantation owners. The film does not shy away from the brutality of slavery, but it also shows the complex motivations of those involved. This nuanced approach to the subject matter makes the film all the more powerful, as it shows how slavery was a system that dehumanized everyone involved.

Overall, Black Jack is a powerful and moving film that examines the horrors of slavery through the eyes of a young boy. The film does a remarkable job of bringing the realities of the past to life, and it remains a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of slavery.

Black Jack is a 1979 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.