Amazing Grace
Editorial Reviews:
Description
From the makers of Ray, AMAZING GRACE tells the inspiring story of William Wilberforce and his passion and perseverance to pass a law ending the slave trade in the late 18th century. Several friends, including Wilberforce's minister, a reformed slave ship captain who penned the beloved hymn Amazing Grace, urge him to see the cause through.
Amazon.com
In this inspirational costume drama, Michael Apted (49 Up) recounts a period in British history sure to be unfamiliar to most Americans. In fact, his eye-opening biography of 18th century abolitionist William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd) is likely to come as a revelation to many Britons, as well. After all, despite the presence of his wife, Barbara (Romola Garai), this isn't a particularly "sexy" story, but it is a powerful one. The title comes from John Newton's hymn "Amazing Grace" ("I once was lost but now am found"). Newton (Albert Finney) was a former slaveholder, who became a clergyman and spent his days repenting. While America had John Brown, England had Wilberforce, and Newton is one of many who helped the MP to abolish slavery in the UK. The story begins towards the end of Wilberforce's mission when he's sick with colitis and addicted to laudanum. Apted continues to alternate between 1797 and 1789, when Wilberforce was fitter and more idealistic, and ends in 1807 as his efforts come to fruition. Apted and writer Steven Knight (Dirty Pretty Things) do right by their hero. Unlike Amistad, however, slaves are largely off-screen, with the exception of author Equiano (Senegalese vocalist Youssou N'Dour). Amazing Grace reserves its focus for the politicians who risked their reps for the greater good, like Wilberforce and Prime Minister Pitt (an excellent Benedict Cumberbatch), and those more concerned with the income slavery provided their constituents, like Lord Tarleton (Ciarán Hinds) and the Duke of Clarence (Toby Jones). --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Customer Reviews:
Review #1: Exciting and Inspiring Movie!
2009-05-20 
"Amazing Grace" was a movie that made my husband and me want to work with zeal and persistence in our life pursuits for good! The fact that this was a true story made it even more meaningful. The characters were excellent, as was the setting and entire quality of the film. The movie was an exciting drama that we will watch again and again.
Review #2: Not exactly what the title leads one to believe...
2009-05-20 
I will share that part of my disappointment may have been that the film toted itself as "How the song Amazing Grace came to be". Not really what the film was about. While the song was penned and tuned during this time, the film is actually about William Wilberforce and his decades long struggle to abolish the British slave trade. The song is mentioned and it's author is a pivotal figure in the film, but it's not the main focus. I thought this film took an interesting look as Wilberforce's life and the relationships formed that inspired and supported Wilberforce during his quest. The movie jumps quite a bit between two periods with a sort-of "flashback" mentality. I found it a bit difficult to keep up with the concepts and am not sure it was a useful tool within this story. I learned more of the "players" during this period of abolition and am looking forward to researching their stories. The acting is fabulous.
*For parents: I believe you could watch this with children even as young as elementary age. However, the jumping back & forth between time periods may be confusing for younger viewers. Be prepared, there some graphic descriptions/depictions of what slaves endured especially as it pertained to traveling from Africa on the ships.
Review #3: A very inspirational movie
2009-05-19
Amazing Grace is truly one of the classic great movies of our time. It demonstrates what a tireless effort by one man can do to strike a blow against evil. This is especially valuable for times such as we live in today.
Review #4: Not every movie is worth 5 stars, but THIS ONE IS !!!
2009-04-28
"Amazing Grace" tells the story of the fight to overthrow the British government's support of the African slave trad during the late 1700s, as well as the story behind the popular Christian hymn of the same name.
Ioan Gruffudd is outstanding as William Wilberforce, the man that leads the figtht against slavery in Britain's Parliament. The rest of the cast is equally magnificent. Watch as Wilberforce spends his time, efforts, energy, health, and reputation fighting the deplorable, yet government sanctioned slave trade.
Every time I watch this movie I think to myself, "Why has it been so long since I last watched this!?"
What should you know about this movie if you are considering it?
1) It has a fantastic set of actors and actresses in the cast.
2) This is a period drama, based on historic events mainly in the late 1700s in Great Britain
3) The costumes, sets, etc., are incredible.
4) The main focus of the movie is the British slave trade, and the battle in Parliament to make that practice illegal.
5) Though this film carries only a PG rating, the focus of the fllm - slavery - contains dailog and some images that are not appropriate for younger children.
6) This is top-notch drama, and the fact that it's based on historical events makes it all the more compelling!
In my opinion, this 5-star movie belongs in the collection of any thinking viewer.
I recommend the following products as companion items to go along with this movie: Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World and Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy. "Cod" contains infornmation about how the cod industry helped fuel the slave trade by providing a cheap source of protein to British-held plantations in the West Indies. "Six Frigates". while mostly about the birth of the US Navy, touches on importnat issues regarding international shipping, practices of the Royal Navy, and the British merchant fleet, including British slave ships.
Broaden your world and deepen your understanding: read these books and watch this film!
5 stars, and no doubt about it!
Review #5: Amazing Grace
2009-04-06
This is the true story of one Englishman's crusade -- and ultimate victory-- against slavery in England. From what I have read on the subject, the film stays close to fact. Although this is a serious film, it is not overly heavy, and is not preachy. The seriousness of the matter is balanced with humor and wit about the human condition. There's matchmaking, schemes to outfox politicians, etc.
One of my favorite scenes is when one self-important politician finally gives in and grudgingly comes to an abolitionist meeting. The first thing out of his mouth is --- Well, do any of you, "saints", drink? Promply a bottle of whisky is produced!
Also in the film, our hero - Ioan Gruffudd- can actually sing as well as act Some may recognize him from his lead role in the PBS series "Horatio Hornblower".
The only slight negative to the film IMHO is that it incorporates flash-backs, which sometimes threw me off regarding where exactly we were in the scheme of things. Other than that, it's a terrific film. I highly recommend it. |
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