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Amazing Grace

By J. Byron Dean

Release Date: February 23, 2007

MPAA RATING: PG (Thematic material involving slavery and some mild language)
Starring: Ioan Gruffudd, Albert Finney, Romola Garai, Ciaran Hinds, Rufus Sewell, Youssou N'dour, & Michael Gambon

Genre: Drama - Based on a true story

Recommended Age: 10+ (adult plot may not interest those younger than 12)

Note to parents: While there are no images of slaves in transport or at auction, there are several verbal accounts that, while not meant to be gratuitous, are graphic in detail as they are explaining the terrible conditions to people ignorant of the situation.

Violence: The opening scene of the film shows a worker whipping his horse. The scene is realistic, although no animals were hurt in the making of the film. It is rectified fairly quickly when William Wilberforce (founder of the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - SPCA) stops his carriage to explain to the man that if he lets the horse rest, he will get the performance he needs from the animal.  The man follows his direction.

Walden Media once again brings audiences a truly amazing feature film. Ioan Gruffudd (pronounced Yo-ann Gruff-ith) and Albert Finney headline an incredible cast in the beautifully filmed and majestically scored historical drama Amazing Grace.

The title of the film comes from the British Hymn of the same name.  First published in 1779, its author was John Newton (Albert Finney) who himself was once a slave trader.  But a near-death experience on one of his own slave ships opened his eyes and he converted to Christianity in 1748.  Newton first knew William Wilberforce when he was the pastor of his childhood church.  Some 20-years later, Wilberforce would call on Newton's personal experiences as slave trader to booster his petitions to abolish the slave trade. 

The film also tells the story of a seemingly invincible Member of Parliament, William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd), as he fights for the abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire ― at a time when non-whites were viewed as subhuman by the majority of the "civilized" world. 

Wilberforce endured political unpopularity when he chose to devote his life to the abolishment of slavery as his bills to Parliament were repeatedly voted down.  As he battles the culture and prejudices of his day Wilberforce also has to cope with his own extremely poor health and an inadvertent addiction to morphine (which was commonly administered by doctors, and the addictive properties of which were unknown at the time).  Despite the seemingly uphill battle with Parliament and his poor health, Wilberforce never gave up … not fully at least.

His closest friend, William Pitt (Benedict Cumberbatch) was the one person that supported him when he found the challenge too much and wanted to give up.  Pitt would encourage him and remind him of what he hoped to accomplish.  He was also the youngest man to be elected Prime Minister at 24, and stood by his friend through most of the battles.  When there reached a point of supporting Wilberforce or the political needs of his position when France declared war on England, Pitt chose to pull out from the abolitionist movement, nearly ruining their friendship until Wilberforce and Thomas Clarkson (Rufus Sewell), a man who devoted his life to abolishing the Atlantic slave trade, masqueraded an anti-slavery bill as an anti-French bill, Pitt again joined with his childhood friend until Pitt's death in 1806.

Amazing Grace pulls no punches in describing the brutality and inhumanity of slavery.  In debates inside Parliament and clandestine meetings of those trying to eradicate the slave trade, the film's characters discuss the atrocities which enslaved men, women and children endure from the moment of their capture to their release onto the sugar plantations ― assuming they survive the horrific five-week sea voyage in slave ships.  While actual slave conditions are not shown they are described in descriptive and detailed language, the descriptions conveying the true hardship and depraved conditions of slavery. These descriptions may offend some viewers and disturb young or sensitive children.

The story, while dark at times considering the subject matter, has several bright moments.  Wilberforce's fellow campaigner Henry Thornton (Nicholas Farrell) and his wife arrange a meeting between Wilberforce and Barbara Spooner (Romola Garai). The events of the day which follow are funny, loving and positive. Barbara is supportive of Wilberforce's cause, and love unexpectedly blossoms out of what was first an awkward blind date that neither appreciated.

For producing a superbly made film with an outstanding cast and breath-taking score, The Parents Television Council is proud to award Walden Media with the Entertainment Seal of Approval.

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