Behind the song you love is a story you will never forget.
From acclaimed director Michael Apted comes Amazing grace, a moving historical epic about the life of anti-slavery pioneer William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd).
Amazing grace follows Wilberforce's career through his 20s and 30s, as he and his fellow humanitarians make the issue of slavery a talking point, not only in political circles, but also throughout the country. They wage the first modern political campaign, using petitions, boycotts, mass meetings and even badges with slogans to take their message to the country at large.
Special Agent Matti
It's a tad ironic to see Ioan Gruffudd being William Wilberforce at the same time that he's also being Horatio Hornblower; Horry and Willy both live at the (prolonged) height of the British Empire (on which the sun never sets). That distracted me somewhat while I was watching Amazing grace but only somewhat: the drama of the struggle to free all humans from slavery is more than enough to overcome.
On top of that, there's all the marvellous old world architecture and antiques. Wilberforce has a table with a polished shine that has to be seen to be believed. How I yearn for the days when things were made to one day be old rather than replaced. Planned obsolescence sucks. Capitalism sucks!
Getting back to the movie, Ioan and Romola Garai have a chemistry that sparkles. You will so want them to get together. Ioan and Benedict Cumberbatch (now there's a good English name) also have a chemistry, that of young friends who become old friends. And if you like historical detail, there're golf, horse riding, servants, clothing, transport, ships, powdered wigs, chandeliers and, of course, slavery. Most people believe that slavery is bad. Amazing grace is less about how bad it is than about how hard it is to make a paradigm shift, especially when there's money involved. And power. And politicians.
Bloody politicians.
Even were this film not based on truth it would be a good drama, as it is, it's a very good drama. I heartily recommend it.
The drama, true, UK movie Amazing grace is directed by Michael Apted and stars Ioan Gruffudd, Romola Garai, Rufus Sewell, Michael Gambon.
PG (Mild themes)
118 minutes (1:58 hours)
Film: 26 July 2007
DVD rental: 27 December 2007
DVD retail: 27 December 2007
