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A film about a US freedom fighter has been added to BBC iPlayer and fans can't get over the lead performance

A "powerful" story based on a US abolitionist and social activist has been added to BBC iPlayer and viewers have been blown away by its central performance.

Wicked star Cynthia Erivo plays Harriet Tubman in Harriet, which chronicles the life of the US freedom fighter who fled slavery herself before going on to help many others do the same, reports the Express.

The film was released in 2019 and critics were dazzled by the actress's turn as Harriet, who risked capture and death to guide hundreds of people to safety as one of the most prominent conductors of the Underground Railroad.

One New York Post critic said it was "a towering performance", while the Washington Blade said she was "riveting" and a VultureHound reviewer wrote: "This is Erivo's movie and she's an incendiary presence, capable of immense sensitivity as well as soaring defiance."

Others called the actress "a standout", and one posted on Reddit: "She is a force."

Another said the star was "very powerful" in the "harrowing" tale, which also starred Leslie Odom Jr, Joe Alwyn, Clarke Peters and Janelle Monáe.

A synopsis for the film said: "Witness the story of a woman who defied impossible odds to change the course of her life and the fate of the nation."

It said the movie told "the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America's greatest heroes", adding: "Haunted by memories of those she left behind, Harriet ventures back into dangerous territory on a mission to lead others to freedom."

Others said that they wished Cynthia had scooped an Oscar for her performance, with many commenting on her "excellent" acting.

"Excellent story!! Excellent casting!!" one exclaimed on IMDb.com.

"I love the songs and how they moved through the whole story about this sad and sinful slavery time of our history!! Thank you!! It is worthy of an Oscar and should have had one too!!"

"This a must-see for people who want to understand history and a real American hero, Harriet Tubman," said someone else, while a Los Angeles Sentinel review said: "The film is extraordinary just like Harriet Tubman. The film is brave just like Harriet Tubman. The film is beautiful, just like Harriet Tubman."

Harriet is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

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