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AMAZING GRACE : Movie Review/DVD
Michael Apted, Director

List of Characters:

William Wilberforce - Ioan Gruffudd
Barbara Spooner - Romola Garai
William Pitt - Benedict Cumberbatch
John Newton - Albert Finney
Lord Charles Fox - Michael Gambon
Thomas Clarkson - Rufus Sewell
Olaudah Equiano - Youssou N'Dour

Introduction:

Overall, Amazing Grace is an interesting, inspiring film. This film won the Heartland Truly Moving Picture Award/Criystal Heart Award presented at the Heartland Film Festival. Every October the Heartland Film Festival seeks to commend films/filmakers that/who, "...explore the human journey by expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life...," and, "...film(s) that unlock the vast potential of the human spirit...stories that display courage, integrity and hope...taking entertainment to a higher level."-www.trulymovingpciture s.org.

The film captures the story of the abolition of the English slave trade, late 1700's. The foremost catalyst in the dissolution of this economic dynasty is William Wilberforce-passionate Christian, humanitarian/reformer. As a zealous Christian he becomes chained to his pursuit of ending the slave trade in England. Additionally, he is a stalwart pursuer of humane animal treatment, free education and numerous social reforms.

Strengths of the Film:

1. Superb photography, design/choreography (costumes of England/London, circa late 1700's);
2. Heartrending story/plot/theme; and
3. Notable performances by the actors.

Weaknesses:

A lack of solid introductory information for those unfamiliar with English History, process/purpose of the English House of Commons and the English slave trade is sorely missing. Substantial introductory information regarding the characters of William Wilberforce, William Pitt, John Newton, Thomas Clarkson and Lord Fox would also have been helpful. The few lines of introductory material at the beginning of the film is not enough to give solid context to the plots and the aforementioned characters.

There is a scene at the beginning, which could be seriously disturbing. Wilberforce stops the beating of a horse unable to pursue its tasks. But until the later scenes of compassion towards animals, it doesn't fit in the film except to possibly set the tone of abuse and cruelty.

Characterizations:

The perspectives of the Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd) character at first felt disjointed. The film presented flashbacks which moved rapidly, almost too rapidly. This gave the film a sense of anxiety, urgency and stress, though

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