AMAZING GRACE

"You have to listen to the people!"

Idealist politician William Wilberforce (Gruffudd) was really ruffling some feathers in 18th century British Parliament. Inspired to make a real difference and chosen by his friend William Pitt (Cumberbatch), he gathered together a collection of reformists who wanted the abolition of a blight on the British Empire, African slavery. Tabling a bill and gaining the support of the people, Wilberforce lobbied Parliament of the change but giving slaves their freedom would cost the empire a fortune and give an economic advantage to their enemies, the Americans and the French.

The abolition of slavery in 1807 was one of the monumental bills ever passed in the House of Commons and one that would not only shape the future of the British Empire but also have repercussions around the world. This is the story of the fight to bring that bill to pass.

In 1789, the Member of Parliament from Kingston Upon Hull, William Wilberforce made his first speech to the House of Commons on the subject of the abolition of slavery. After rediscovering his faith four years earlier and been compelled to remain in politics by his good friend and future Prime Minister William Pitt, Wilberforce was introduced to Thomas Clarkson and the 'Committee for the Abolition of Slavery' who told him of the plight of thousands of Africans transported across the Atlantic to the West Indies and the Americas. Even though he had not witnesses any of these hardships first hand, he knew the transport of human beings as cargo and their sale thereafter was morally wrong and against the teachings of God. When the first bill failed to pass, this started Wilberforce and his committee on an eighteen-year journey to bring in the abolition.

Those of you expecting 'Amazing Grace' to be a biopic of the life and times of William Wilberforce or portrayal of the hardships and cruelty the slaves endured at the hands of the slave traders will instead be greeted by an 18th century political movie set in the House of Commons. Here we see the politics of the era and what Wilberforce and his fellow abolishists were up against trying to get the bill passed. This was a time that Britain was at war against France and continuing problems with the Americas, so introducing a bill that would financially harm the empire was always to be deeply apposed the majority of members in the House. It is the morality of the story that rings true however and the passion and fortitude of Wilberforce, even while coping with serious illness, makes this time in British history the main emphasis of the movie.

Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd is best known for his TV role as Horatio Hornblower and appearing in big Hollywood blockbusters like 'Fantastic Four' and 'King Arthur' but as William Wilberforce is gets the chance to show that he is an actor of great talent. This is a role that gives him the chance to really develop a character. From his first foray at the House of Commons in his early twenties, through the abolishment movement and onto the passing of the bill itself, Gruffudd gets to play the character for almost twenty years of his life. Over this time we get to see Wilberforce question his faith, his own impact in politics and even find love. This gives the actor the chance to show a full range of emotions needed to play this important historical figure.

The supporting cast is also first rate. Ciarán Hinds and Toby Stevens are superb as Wilberforce's main opposition Lord Tarleton and the Duke of Clarence. Benedict Cumberbatch makes an impact as Wilberforce's best friend and Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger. Romola Garai continues to make an impact as Barbara Spooner, the future Mrs Wilberforce. Albert Finney is outstanding as John Newton, the Anglican clergyman who wrote the hymn 'Amazing Grace' and is troubled by his past. Michael Gambon brings some class to the proceedings as Lord Charles Fox. It is Rufus Sewell who really stands out however as Thomas Clarkson. For once he is not playing a villain and he gets the chance to provide a few laughs in a very serious movie.

'Amazing Grace' tells the story of one of the most important times in British and world history but the story of the abolishment of slavery is still relevant today. It shows that the passion of one person can unite a people to stop something that is morally wrong and with the modern world the way it is, we need more people like William Wilberforce.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, the movie is presented well.

BONUS FEATURES

How Sweet the Sound: The Story of Amazing Grace (28.18 mins)
Director Michael Apted, executive producer Jeaney Kim, screenwriter Steven Knight, co-producer Mark Cooper, costume designer Jenny Beavan, Wilberforce biographer Kevin Belmore, composer David Arnold and stars Ioan Gruffudd, Benedict Cumberbatch, Romola Garai, Albert Finney, Michael Gambon, Rufus Sewell, Youssou N'Dour and Ciarán Hinds talk about William Wilberforce and the Abolition of Slavery Act. The featurette talks about the political lives of Wilberforce and Pitt the Younger and the impact the pair had on Parliament over 200 years ago. The actors and actresses also talk about their characters and recreating the time and Westminster back in the early 1800s.

Chris Tomlin Music Video (4.30 mins)
Watch the artist sing 'Amazing Grace' with clips from the movie

Commentary with director Michael Apted and Ioan Gruffudd
The man at the helm and his star provide a chatty and informative track for 'Amazing Grace'. The pair talks about the two-year production of the movie and the casting of young people in the main role and the best of British in the supporting roles. They also reveal how the film turned from a biopic about the life of Wilberforce into one that covered the political process of getting the art through parliament. This is a good track from two people really invested in the film.

Trailers
Previews of 'The Painted Veil', 'The Illusionist' and 'Miss Potter'

OVERALL

The DVD treatment for 'Amazing Grace' is one that fans of the movie will be pleased with. The commentary track is very good and the featurette covers most aspects of the film's production. There could have been more facts about William Wilberforce but fans of the film should be pleased with this DVD.

DVD

Amistad

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2007