Few figures in American history have the legacy of Harriet Tubman. Her life has come to represent courage, faith, and an unwavering commitment to freedom. Born into slavery in the early nineteenth century, Tubman rose to become one of the most important figures in the fight against it. Her story has endured across generations because of what she symbolized; the hope—and possibility—of change.
Tubman escaped bondage in 1849, yet freedom for herself was never the end of her journey. She returned to the South repeatedly, leading dozens of enslaved people to safety through the Underground Railroad. Known as “Moses,” she carried out these dangerous missions in secrecy, relying on her faith, intuition, and knowledge of the land. During the Civil War, Tubman served the Union Army as a nurse, scout, and spy, and later became active in the movement for women’s suffrage. Her leadership in the Combahee Ferry raid, which helped free hundreds of enslaved people, remains a landmark moment in American history.
Over the years, filmmakers and television producers have sought to capture Tubman’s remarkable life on screen. From dramatized miniseries to documentaries and feature films, these portrayals attempt to illuminate the woman behind the legend. In honor of her birthday and Women’s History Month, here are several films and television projects that bring Harriet Tubman’s story to life.
Starring Cicely Tyson, A Woman Called Moses is a miniseries about the life of the African American abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Narrated by Orson Welles, the production was broadcast on the NBC television network on December 11 and 12, 1978.
Harriet Tubman: They Call Her Moses is a historical documentary that recounts the life of the famed Underground Railroad conductor. The film examines Tubman’s escape from slavery, her repeated missions guiding others to freedom, and the events that earned her the nickname “Moses.”
Kasi Lemmons’ film stars Cynthia Erivo as abolitionist Harriet Tubman, tracing her escape from slavery and her daring missions guiding others to freedom through the Underground Railroad. The film also features Leslie Odom Jr., Janelle Monáe, Joe Alwyn, and Clarke Peters, bringing Tubman’s story to life.
In a quest to overcome one of the biggest obstacles of her life, personal trainer and author Metra Lundy simulates a walk to freedom by re-tracing the steps of the great American heroine, Harriet Tubman.
This documentary revisits the life and legacy of the famed abolitionist and Underground Railroad conductor. Through historical analysis, reenactments, and expert commentary, the film explores Tubman’s faith, leadership, and the visions she believed guided her missions to lead enslaved people to freedom.
