Amazing Grace is an historical drama - depicting an ordinary Christian man doing exceptional things because of his beliefs - a man on a mission. Like Chariots of Fire and Shadowlands it balances faith with the art of film making.
For those who don't know the story of William Wilberforce - it goes like this..... At the age of twenty one in the late 18th century Wilberforce was elected to British Parliament. Some years later, he experienced something monumental that brought him back to his Christian faith - to the point where he was prepared to leave politics behind to fully devote his life to being a Man of the cloth,' as a clergyman or monk. The future Prime Minister and a close friend from college days, William Pitt, tries to convince him to stay on in Parliament because of his natural and gifted way of speaking to an audience. As seen on several occasions on the floor of Westminster he is able to transfix people with his eloquence as an orator in several political debates. Was he to change the world or follow the Lord's path? Or could he possibly do both?
Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd) is a man of principles and very early on in his career he makes it crystal clear that he is personally opposed to Britain's thriving slave trade, and several leading abolitionists of the era (Olaudah Equiano, Thomas Clarkson) do their best to gain his support. In the film, it is his close friend, John Newton (Albert Finney), an ex slave ship captain and the author of the soulful hymn, Amazing Grace (although I am not convinced about the authenticity of this) that finally convinces him to take up the cause for moral and spiritual reasons.
He is even labelled as a seditionist - which was a serious accusation at the time, with the newly established States of America, an imminent French Revolution and a loopy King George ruling England. All good reasons, according to Clarkson, to instigate change with a revolution.
It's enough to steer any crusader to sickness, as both Wilberforce's health and cause begin to deteriorate about the same time. We know the end of the story, but it's still compelling and intriguing to watch the famed abolitionist's uphill struggle to maintain his passion and enthusiasm, and see his vocation through to the end of slavery.
The screenplay which is written by Steven Knight certainly inherits the essence of the man's accomplishments. He doesn't hide Wilberforce's faith but he never makes it the central component either. This film seems honest and balanced, and the director, Michael Apted, who has made several documentaries as well as The Coal Miner's Daughter, has succeeded in rendering the story with a little authenticity if not totally true.
Anyone who can make a film about Parlimentary legislation suspenseful even when you now what happens, gets my vote. A large proportion of the film is told in flashbacks which gives the film a sense of urgency and more gravitas. I think a straight time-line would have been uninteresting. Some parts of the film are a bit dry but fortunately it doesn't fall into a rut. Scenes vary from Wilberforce the politician which are inspiring - then we have more moderate scenes of him as a family man and college chum and then there are scenes where our protagonist spends time alone with his god. Images and descriptions of slavery are very sobering, and Newton's grief for past violations are especially touching.
There's also room for frivolity with charming jibes from Clarkson, Fox and Pitt, not to mention a sweet, romantic portrayal of Wilberforce's budding friendship with Barbara Spooner (Romol Garai), who later became his wife. Their shared private joke is laughable as is their attempts to not fall madly in love with each other.
All these qualities are superbly carried out by a stellar cast, including many British thespians. I have always admired Ioan Gruffudd and in this film he is inspirational, charming and charismatic but yet still brings the correct weightiness to the part. Rufus Sewell as Clarkson brings comedy to his role which is nice to see and I love the way Ciaran Hinds is so ultra smug as Wilberforce's opponent. Michael Gambon is as charming as ever in his role as Fox. But the most stunning performance for me is Albert Finney as John Newton. I have always admired his work and he never seems to fail to deliver. He is brilliant in this film, even though he is only in two scenes.
The sets and costumes are very well designed and fit the period perfectly and the scenes of London outside Parliament and Wilberforce's home are authentic, in that dark and moody atmosphere in which we are always led to believe London looked like at that time.
Amazing Grace is a serious and often verbal film. It is a good film but it isn't groundbreaking. There are some things missing which puts the film in the list of inspirational rather than sensational. What's missing? There aren't any scenes in the film that I think are absolutely sensational or breathtaking. If I was to compare it with Chariots of Fire (a film with a similar tone) for example - there aren't any scenes like the one on the beach and Grace doesn't have an amazing soundtrack - only a bagpipe finale. Although Wilberforce is portrayed well as a serious Christian who wants to raise peoples awareness of injustice in humanity, I believe there are a couple of historical inaccuracies. Was John Newton really a monk or was he a vicar? Did he really write the tune - Amazing Grace? As for the images of slavery - are they are a bit light weight. Should they have been more in your face? It depends on your interpretation of the film. I think most people know the story of the slave trade and how abhorrent it was. I don't think graphic details would have made the film any more powerful. The point of the film to me was the portrayal of the parliamentary procedure that Wilberforce had to endure before the Abolition Bill was passed and how he never ran out of courage to stand alone or give up on his determination to fight off his political enemies.
Amazing Grace in my view is more of a long, glorified BBC historical drama than a powerful movie. That doesn't mean it is bad in anyway. It just means that I wasn't bowled over and it isn't logged away in my movie memory as one of the greats. I have always been keen on history and always been interested in Wilberforce's quest for justice. What I do admire about the film is how it shows us that although the abolition of slavery is the driving force, at the same time it shows us how one man can step out of his comfort zone when he knows his actions will not be embraced and uses his faith to try and change the world. That takes a lot of courage, a lot of faith and should be an inspiration to all of us.
Running Time: 118 minutes
Certification: PG