AN ACTION-packed documentary about famed US abolitionist Harriet Tubman will be screened by Keighley Film Club.

Harriet is a biographical drama telling how Harriet dedicated herself to the freeing of black slaves in the Deep South before the American Civil War.

The film stars Cynthia Erivo as Harriet, Leslie Odom Jr as William Still and Joe Alwyn as Gideon Brodey.

The story starts when Harriet, married to freeman John Tubman, is still a slave herself along with her mother and sister. After her life becomes intolerable. She runs with Philadelphia.

She meets other freed slaves and joins the Quaker-led movement of the Underground Railway, and becomes more involved in persuading dozens of black slaves to fight for their own freedom.

The introduction of new legislation makes this behaviour illegal, and soon she becomes notorious as an agitator and becomes hunted as an outlaw.

Fearing for her life, she flees to Canada and rejoins the Underground Railway to continue her campaign.

By the time of the start of the Civil War she has become the most famous black slave freedom fighter, after freeing 70 slaves herself and leading black soldiers to free a further 750 slaves.

Keighley Film Club spokesman Alan Watkinson said that in the USA the film broke box office records by amassing almost $42 million in its first 15 days.

He said: "Cinema Scores through its audience poll rated the film as A plus stating 'the film holds the interest for its solid work' while Rotten Tomatoes rated the film at 74% describing it as a sincere tribute to a pivotal figure in American history.

"Other reviewers' comments included were 'Erivo's committed performance is a wonderful achievement' and 'this fast-paced historical film features harrowing rescue missions'.

"This outstanding film has gained 21 awards from various guilds and film festivals and was nominated for the Academy Awards, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards."

Harriet (certificate 12a), which lasts 125 minutes, will be screened Keighley Picture House, North Street, on Sunday March 15 at 6pm. Doors open at 5.35pm.