Starring: Ioan Gruffudd, Romola Garai, Benedict Cumberbatch, Albert Finney, Michael Gambon Directed By: Michael Apted Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Binding: DVD Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC Label: 20th Century Fox Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: November 13, 2007 Running Time: 118 minutes Theatrical Release Date: February 23, 2007
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
Amazing Grace an amazing movie! Amazing Grace is an outstanding movie, full of wonderful lessons from history. It is the well told, true story of the abolition of the slave trade in England. The scenery, costumes and acting are suprisingly great. May we draw the parallels to the present day fight for the right to life of human beings in the womb.
pre Civil War Human rights activity I used this with 8th graders showing that there was a consciousness about the evils of slavery in the 1700's. It was captivating to them. Good movie.
GREAT PERIOD MOVIE!! Amazing Grace is a very interesting period movie.Wonderful acting by Ioan Gruffudd.Albert Finney is very good in such a very different role than he has ever done before.All the cast did Excellent Job!!!!
Worth watching again and again A great movie that will inspire you and make you realize how much we take for granted. A movie you will want to watch over and over again.
I finally understand the lyrics of Amazing Grace (My chain was gone) This is really a story that many have missed. We are fimilar with the story of Amazing Grace. But how many of us know that the man behind Amazing Grace also tries to influence another man to promote anti-slavery? This DVD shows that a man can do much more if only one man continues to believe in him.
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