Amazing Grace

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(4 stars) - Not quite accurate, but a decent film nonetheless
Amazing Grace chronicled the story of William Wilberforce, a key figure behind the British Abolition movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The film had an unfortunate tendency to hop around from "the past" to "the present" (which was also the past--dates would have been helpful). But basically, it was a tale well told--nicely filmed, well acted, and with a stirring soundtrack.

Like John Newton (the man who wrote the hymn, "Amazing Grace"), Wilberforce was primarily motivated by a conversion to Evangelical Christianity. Although little is made of his conversion in the film, this epiphany continued to inspire him throughout his life and provided the basis for many of the social reforms he championed.

While Amazing Grace was true to the spirit of the times, there were some significant inaccuracies. Departures from real history are expected in films, and I wouldn't normally point them out. However, in this case, the discrepancies tended to detract from the film rather than enhance it. First, John Newton, Wilberforce's friend and religious model, was an Anglican priest, not a rag-clothed penitent. It was not until late in his life that Newton repented of his earlier slave-trading days, and by then he had a congregation. Depicting Newton as someone who scrubbed floors in a burlap sack lent a distinctly melodramatic, off-key note to the story.

The second major discrepancy is that Wilberforce was in his seventies when the act to abolish slavery throughout the British Empire was finally passed. (He died a mere three days later.) In the movie he was shown as middle-aged, which, while better for the love story, really didn't capture the dedication of a man who literally spent his entire adult life devoted to the abolitionist cause.

Although I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for a high school class (students need to get their facts straight), Amazing Grace was a good, solid introduction to the history of the abolitionist movement. One can only imagine the course American history would have taken if the Revolution had occurred after the passage of the anti-slavery acts, rather than before.

(2 stars) - Amazing Grace
This is a powerful movie based on a true story. It is eye-opening and poignant dealing with the Britsh slave trade. Great acting, a very redemptive drama.

(4 stars) - Amazing Grace
Good historical movie. Much to much talking but good political insite to British Political fighting. To understand everything a person needs to find out some historical background. But if you stay with it a very rewarding movie and well worth anyones time.

(5 stars) - Amazing Grace
This is a brilliant and moving film, perfectionists may criticise the way it is delivered but it is moving to see that any man could be so passionate for the truth and to triumph over the wrong's of the world.

(5 stars) - One of My Favorites!
I've loved the bagpipe rendition of "Amazing Grace" for so long that I knew that I had to watch this film. The life of William Wilberforce during the 15-year struggle to end the slave trade in England was quite poignant and emotional, especially at the time when the parliament finally approves this hard-fought legislation. Michael Gambon's speech in commemoration to Wilberforce (in attendance at the time) was especially emotional for me. Of course, what could be better then ending with "Amazing Grace" played by the piper of the Black Watch?

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