The Amazing Grace (2006)

The story of British slave trader John Newton's voyage to West Africa and the events that inspired him to write the world's most popular hymn, Amazing Grace.

Director:

Jeta Amata

Writers:

Jeta Amata (screenplay), Jeta Amata (story),

Stars:

Nick Moran, Scott Cleverdon, Mbong Amata

Cast

Credited cast:
Nick Moran	...	John Newton
Scott Cleverdon	...	Oliver
Mbong Amata	...	Ansa (as Mbong Odungide)
Fred Amata	...	Etim
James Hicks	...	Simmons
Joke Silva	...	Maria Davies
Zack Amata	...	Village Priest
Itam Efa Williamson	...	Orok
Ita Bassey	...	Chief
Chica Chukwu	...	Maria Davies' daughter
Hannah Aniekan	...	Little Maria
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Betsy Akan	...	Itiav
Margret Akpan	...	Makamba
Grace Bassey	...	Emem
Utibe Bassey	...	Eyo

Storyline

John Newton is captain of a slave ship moored off the coast of Nigeria. He stands at a crossroads in his life, his morality and religion at odds with the brutality of his chosen profession. Stepping ashore, he starts on a journey of redemption that will end in tragedy but prove the catalyst for greater achievements. A local anthem sung in adversity by the slaves he captures punctuates the film. It will be the inspiration for John Newton's redemption, and, years later, for his writing of the world's most enduring hymn, Amazing Grace.

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Taglines:

The story of the world's most popular hymn

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site (English, French)

Country:

Nigeria UK

Language:

English Aboriginal

Release Date:

20 May 2006 (France)

Also Known As:

A Graça Divina

Filming Locations:

Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Box Office

Budget:

£400,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jeta Amata Concepts, Amazing Grace Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR Stereo

Color:

Color Color (Fujicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Ansa: We are humans not because of our ability to hate, but our capacity to love.

User Reviews

Watchable But could have been better

This is not a bad film and very watchable, but it could have been a lot better. I am not sure how accurate it all is Historically but it does show some of the things that made slavery such an appalling part of mans history. I doubt the love story part of it was true and Newton carried on as a slave trader many years after these events were suppose to take place. I doubt the native African women wore quite that many clothes and I doubt the society they lived in was quite as westernised as portrayed. That being said it is worth a watch and has some interesting and dramatic moments. Also Nigerian director/writer/producer Jeta Amata, the film provides a refreshing and creative African perspective on the familiar "Amazing Grace" theme. Nigerian actors Joke Silva, Mbong Odungide, and Fred Amata (brother of the director) portray Africans who are captured and wrested away from their homeland by slave traders.