VIDEO: Brad Pitt Talks New Film '12 Years a Slave' on TODAY

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Brad Pitt visited NBC's TODAY to talk about his new movie, "12 Years a Slave," which opens Friday, October 18th. The film tells the true story of Solomon Northup, a free black man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1841. Check out the appearance below!

"It's one of those few films that ... cuts to the base of our humanity," Pitt told Ann Curry on TODAY on Wednesday. "And it was not until I saw Solomon Northup's story that I fully, fully (grasped) the utter horror of losing your freedom or denying another one their freedom, taking their freedom, splitting their family apart. It's why I got into film in the first place," Pitt said.

Pitt believes the film will have a lasting impact on those who see it. "I'm a moviegoer," Pitt said. "That was a place that was a big escape for me, to open my eyes up to the world when I was a little, little kid. I loved going to see films. So I think of it from that side of it, and I know the impact of this film."

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