Amazing Grace
by Michael Apted
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DVD details
Actor: Albert Finney, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ioan Gruffudd, Michael Gambon, Romola GaraiDirector: Michael Apted
Brand: GRUFFUDD,IOAN
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled)
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 118 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-11-13
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
DVD Reviews of Amazing Grace
DVD Review: A truly inspirational film
Summary: 5 Stars
I would place this film amongst the most powerful I have ever seen in a long life of cinema going.The script was brilliantly tight and barely a word was wasted. The sets were very authentic and cost I heard a reported ?30 million. Beyond the walls of Wilberforce's home the world of London was presented in a dark and brooding manner which reinforced the sense of the legitimised evil that Wilberforce and his associates were fighting.
The mainly ensemble British acting was of the highest order. Outstanding performances amongst others were given by Ioan Gruffudd who superbly conveyed the complexities of Wilberforce's character, Michael Gambon,Rufus Sewell,Benjamin Cumberbatch, and Romola Garai with a superb cameo of the reformed and redeemed slaver, John Newton, by Albert Finney.Balance was given by recognition of the important role of Oloudaqh Equiano played by Youssou N'Dorr.However, some historical license was taken in order to create dramatic effect.This included the Duke of Clarence sitting in the House of Commons and James Fox,one of the greatest orators and reformers of the day, giving the final paean of praise to Wilberforce when in history he had already died.
Never mix politics and religion we are told, yet the film does it successfully by embellishing the issue with a real wit and humour.The power of the film lies to a great extent in its understatement which makes it very British and it will be interesting to see how well it does in the States.The deliberately diverted visit of MP's and their consorts to the moored slave ship was a metaphor of this. The power of the misery was conveyed without it being completely thrust in the face. The final tribute to Wilberforce was another notable example of the power of the use of a few chosen words rather than many.
The film was both moving and inspirational. In this era of the quick fix, it reminded us, as do the lives of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu,of the importance of never giving up in the fight for a more just and humane world. Evil prospers when good men and women do nothing -but we need to do it again and again and again. There are more slaves in the world today than there were at the time of abolition and I trust this film will inspire another generation to continue the struggle.For those who want a more politically correct revisionist view of history and who cry paternalism, it needs to be emphasised that Wilberforce and his supporters took on the might of the political and economic establishment of the day and won. Yes he was a compassionate man but he was also a great champion of justice and justice above all requires that we see those who we are trying to help as equals.This is an outstanding piece of film making that does justice to the achievement of Wilberforce and his associates
DVD Review: Not quite accurate, but a decent film nonetheless
Summary: 4 Stars
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.
DVD Review: Amazing Grace
Summary: 2 Stars
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.DVD Review: Amazing Grace
Summary: 4 Stars
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.DVD Review: Amazing Grace
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Description of Amazing Grace
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.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 (Ciar?n Hinds) and the Duke of Clarence (Toby Jones). --Kathleen C. Fennessy
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