Amazing Grace (2006)

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

Director:

Michael Apted

Writer:

Steven Knight

Stars:

Ioan Gruffudd, Albert Finney, Michael Gambon

3 wins & 6 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 (as Ciaran Hinds)
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 (Ioan Gruffudd), 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 (Romola Garai), Wilberforce finds a soulmate to share the story of his struggle. With few allies such as his mentor, John Newton (Albert Finney), a slave ship Captain turned repentant Priest who penned the hymn, "Amazing Grace", future Prime Minister William Pitt (Benedict Cumberbatch), and Olaudah Equiano (Youssou N'Dour), the erudite former slave turned author, Wilberforce fruitlessly fights 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 | slave trade | abolition | slave ship | slavery | 

---

Taglines:

Every song has its story. Every generation has its hero.

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

A special screening of this movie was shown in Buncrana, County Donegal, 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

During the hymn Amazing Grace sung at the wedding, Barbara is seen singing "but now am free" but is heard singing "but now I see".

---

Quotes

[first lines]
William Wilberforce: Stop a moment!

---

Connections

Featured in Chris Tomlin: Amazing Grace (2007)

---

Soundtracks

Morning Prayer
from Album for the Young, Op.39, No.1.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (as Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky)

User Reviews

Touching biography about William Wilberforce responsible for a bill which abolishes the slave trade

The idealist William Wilberforce (finely played by Ioan Grufudd) along with Rhomas Clarkson (Rufus Sewell) and a group of anti-slave trade maneuver his way through Parliament, endeavoring to end the British transatlantic trade that would lead to a great victory . Wilberforce helped by his lifelong friend and future P. M . William Pitt (Benedict Cumberbatch) will fight to get their purports for social justice . Wilberforce encounters the inspiration in newfound love interest (Romola Garai) to rejuvenate the battle with new ideas . After many attempts to bring legislation forward over twenty years, he is eventually gets a bill being passed through Parliament in 1807, in which abolishes the slavery the British empire forever.

This is a bicentennial tribute to William Wilberforce and his parliamentary bill abolishing the slave trade . Thought-provoking and moving film dealing with interesting issues , including fidelity to historical accuracy and detailed moral battles . Ioan Gruffudd is good as obstinate , romantic parliamentary member who battles relentlessly injustices ; he does a dignified portrayal about a great man . The prestigious cast shows their awareness of the contemporary impact about the brooding themes and are allowed to step out of period detail . Special mention to Benedict Cumberbatch as his lifelong friend Prime Minister William Pitt and N' Dour realizing an enjoyable portrait of an ex-slave . All of them are quietly upstaged by Albert Finney as a repent , remorse ex-slaver . The motion picture was marvelously directed by Michael Apted , he's director, producer of several successes such as ¨The word is not enough¨, ¨Gorillas in the mist¨ , ¨Class action¨, ¨Nell¨, ¨Enigma¨ , ¨Chronicles of Narnia II : The voyage of Dawn Treader¨ among others . Rating : Above average and worthwhile seeing , the whole family will enjoy this film .It's a very likable biography and enormously appealing for students and scholars . Overall this is a really nice movie . If you are familiar with the history then you will like this splendid film .

This is a biopic well based on historical events , adding more details over the largely described in the movie are the following : William Wilberforce (24 August 1759 – 29 July 1833) was a British politician, philanthropist, and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. A native of Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, he began his political career in 1780, eventually becoming the independent Member of Parliament for Yorkshire (1784–1812). In 1785, he underwent a conversion experience and became an evangelical Christian, resulting in major changes to his lifestyle and a lifelong concern for reform. In 1787, he came into contact with Thomas Clarkson and a group of anti-slave-trade activists, including Granville Sharp, Hannah More and Charles Middleton. They persuaded Wilberforce to take on the cause of abolition, and he soon became one of the leading English abolitionists. He headed the parliamentary campaign against the British slave trade for twenty-six years until the passage of the Slave Trade Act of 1807. Wilberforce was convinced of the importance of religion, morality and education. He championed causes and campaigns such as the Society for Suppression of Vice, British missionary work in India, the creation of a free colony in Sierra Leone, the foundation of the Church Mission Society, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. His underlying conservatism led him to support politically and socially repressive legislation, and resulted in criticism that he was ignoring injustices at home while campaigning for the enslaved abroad.In later years, Wilberforce supported the campaign for the complete abolition of slavery, and continued his involvement after 1826, when he resigned from Parliament because of his failing health. That campaign led to the Slavery Abolition Act 1833, which abolished slavery in most of the British Empire; Wilberforce died just three days after hearing that the passage of the Act through Parliament was assured. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, close to his friend William Pitt.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 February 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amazing Grace

Filming Locations:

Ashridge Park, Little Gaddesden, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,305,000, 25 February 2007

Gross USA:

$21,250,683

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$32,120,360

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bristol Bay Productions, Ingenious Film Partners, Sunflower Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1