Amazing Grace (2006)

The idealist William Wilberforce maneuvers his way through Parliament, endeavoring to end the British transatlantic slave trade.

Director:

Michael Apted

Writer:

Steven Knight

Stars:

Ioan Gruffudd, Romola Garai, Albert Finney

1 win & 5 nominations.

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

Storyline

In 1797, William Wilberforce, the great crusader for the British abolition of slavery, is taking a vacation for his health even while he is sicker at heart for his frustrated cause. However, meeting the charming Barbara Spooner, Wilberforce finds a soulmate to share the story of his struggle. With few allies such as his mentor, John Newton, a slave ship captain turned repentant priest who penned the great hymn, "Amazing Grace," Prime William Pitt, and Olaudah Equiano, the erudite former slave turned author, Wilberforce fruitlessly fights both public indifference and moneyed opposition determined to keep their exploitation safe. Nevertheless, Wilberforce finds the inspiration in newfound love to rejuvenate the fight with new ideas that would lead to a great victory for social justice.

---

Plot Keywords:

slave | slavery | olaudah equiano | abolition | hymn | 

---

Taglines:

The incredible true story of one man's fight to change the world.

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic material involving slavery, and some mild language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 February 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

A szabadság himnusza

Filming Locations:

Ashridge Park, Little Gaddesden, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£431,967 (UK) (23 March 2007)

Gross:

$21,208,358 (USA) (8 June 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

FourBoys Films, Walden Media, Bristol Bay Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min 111 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

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.

---

Goofs

When Tarleton looks up to the gallery of the Commons, sees Thomas Clarkson and realises that the abolitionists have set a trap, he shouts: "The Jacobites are in!" 'Jacobites' were supporters of the Stuart claim of the throne; their cause died at the Battle of Culloden (1746). The term Tarleton should be using is 'Jacobin': the French party of radical republicans. 'Jacobin' was widely used in England as synonymous with 'bloody terrorist'.

---

Quotes

Pitt the Younger: Do you intend to use your beautiful voice to praise the Lord... or change the world?

---

Connections

Featured in Tavis Smiley: Episode dated 23 January 2007 (2007)

---

Soundtracks

"Haydn Opus 64, Nos. 2, 4 and 5"
Written by Joseph Haydn (as Franz Joseph Haydn)
Performed by Quattro Mosaiques
Courtesy of Astree Records
by arrangement with Source Q

User Reviews

Moving period drama

I was well impressed with Amazing Grace; the period was superbly captured, and the interplay of the main action (the fight of William Wilberforce to abolish British slavery) with the other great events of his time (the American and French revolutions) was well presented. The film stirs the emotions but informs the mind. Ioan Gruffudd as Wilberforce is believable and depicts the tenacious Yorkshire MP with both his bodily weakness and great spirit well. Albert Finney as John Newton renders a moving portrayal of the ex-slave trader turned evangelical minister who influences Wilberforce's decision to remain in politics rather than entering the ministry of the church. Benedict Cumberbatch gives a strong representation of William Pitt, and the overall impression of the film is one whose history has been well researched. Well worth a viewing.