IMDb >
Amazing Grace (2006)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsAmazing Grace (2006) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 18 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 9) |
          |
|
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Steven Knight (written by)
Release Date:
23 February 2007 (USA)
more
Tagline:
Behind the song you love is a story you will never forget. more
Plot:
The idealist William Wilberforce maneuvers his way through Parliament, endeavoring to end the British transatlantic slave trade. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
1 win
&
2 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(18 articles)
Julia Stiles Also in the Running For Spider-Man 4
(From Slash Film. 17 November 2009, 1:40 PM, PST)
Bullplop? More potential casting news for Spider-man 4: Rachel McAdams as Black Cat
(From Reel Loop. 10 November 2009, 12:02 PM, PST)
(From Slash Film. 17 November 2009, 1:40 PM, PST)
Bullplop? More potential casting news for Spider-man 4: Rachel McAdams as Black Cat
(From Reel Loop. 10 November 2009, 12:02 PM, PST)
User Comments:
Decent movie of a great story
more (132 total)
US TV Schedule:
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Ioan Gruffudd | ... | William Wilberforce |
 | Romola Garai | ... | Barbara Spooner |
 | Benedict Cumberbatch | ... | William Pitt |
 | Albert Finney | ... | John Newton |
 | Michael Gambon | ... | Lord Charles Fox |
 | Rufus Sewell | ... | Thomas Clarkson |
| Youssou N'Dour | ... | Olaudah Equiano |
 | Ciarán Hinds | ... | Lord Tarleton |
| Toby Jones | ... | Duke of Clarence |
| Nicholas Farrell | ... | Henry Thornton |
| Sylvestra Le Touzel | ... | Marianne Thornton |
 | Jeremy Swift | ... | Richard the Butler |
| Stephen Campbell Moore | ... | James Stephen |
| Bill Paterson | ... | Lord Dundas |
| Nicholas Day | ... | Sir William Dolben |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG for thematic material involving slavery, and some mild language.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
117 min | USA:111 min | Canada:111 min (Toronto International Film Festival)
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
USA:PG |
Ireland:PG |
UK:PG |
Singapore:PG |
Hong Kong:I |
Australia:PG |
South Korea:All |
Netherlands:6 |
South Africa:PG |
Finland:K-7 |
Portugal:M/12 (Qualidade) |
Argentina:Atp
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
A special screening of the film was shown in Buncrana, Co. Donegal in Ireland. This was in celebration of John Newton's link with the county, when in 1748 his slave ship, the Greyhound, came ashore after surviving a terrible storm. This event began the spiritual journey for Newton, which culminated in his authorship of the song, Amazing Grace.
more
Goofs:
Continuity: William Pitt's deathbed scene: when Pitt says "I'm scared", a blob of pale yellow discharge can be seen beneath his left eye. The shot then cuts to Wilberforce, but as soon as it cuts back to Pitt (after about a second) we can see that the blob has vanished.
more
Quotes:
Marianne Thornton:
The Romans believed this water would restore the dead to life.
Barbara Wilberforce: [looking at it, unimpressed] Most pump water I've investigated works in the opposite direction.
more
Barbara Wilberforce: [looking at it, unimpressed] Most pump water I've investigated works in the opposite direction.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in "Tavis Smiley: (2007-01-23)" (2007)
more
Soundtrack:
Morning Prayer
more
FAQ
What is the flag in the slave ship scene?more
more (132 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Amazing Grace (2006) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Gone with the Wind | Giant | 8½ | L'anglaise et le duc | The Good Earth |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Biography section | IMDb UK section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |
Most people probably have vaguely heard of William Wilberforce without knowing too much about his life. The power of his story, and the power of the central issue (the abolition of slavery), carries this movie that veers from artful to clumsy.
The movie can be confusing, as it moves back and forth between phases of Wilberforce's life. Often I found myself wondering for a few moments, "When is this?" Also, much of the political intrigue has to be inferred, since the backgrounds of the various players - particularly Wilberforce's adversaries - are not adequately explained.
However, the performances are quite good, some bordering on excellence. Some might argue that the villains are too simplistically presented, but on an issue like slavery, it is expected that the opposition would be completely unsympathetic (just as Nazis are rarely presented with any hint of sympathy).
I am sure the writers took some liberties with history. By the way, the tune we now associate with the hymn "Amazing Grace" did not become the melody for John Newton's famous lyrics until after Wilberforce's death.
I just watched this movie at a private screening for attendees of the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC (clergy are a natural audience for this movie). The reception was favorable, but this was an audience for which the moralizing of the story would naturally resonate. I'm not sure it will attract a very broad audience - this is a movie that may well find its niche on DVD being shown in high school history classes and at church gatherings.
It is a nice, historical, period piece. It is (largely due to subject matter) reminiscent of "Amistad", with similar pacing.
Should you see it? It depends on whether you like this TYPE of movie. If this genre (historical drama) interests you, this is quite well-done. It might even inspire you to read more about Wilberforce. Go see it. If you are in search of movies that teach lessons about good values and perseverance in fighting for what's right, go see it.
But if you have no idea when the French Revolution occurred relative to our War of Independence, and if it doesn't come naturally to you to remember that the newborn U.S. was allied with France against Britain during that period - and if you don't care - this movie might not be your idea of a fun time.
If I were the producers, I would add one of those "scrolling text" historical introductions to the film before final release, though it is probably too late.