Amazing Grace: The William Wilberforce Story - REVIEW

Director: Michael Apted
Release date: 2/24/07

I have seen this twice. No, it doesn’t come out for another month. You see, Amy and I were invited to a test screening back in August, where I was really impressed with the film (as was she). And then, two weeks ago, we were invited to a pre-screening of the now finished film. And we were equally impressed.

This is the story of William Wilberforce. Who, you say? William Wilberforce is the man who spearheaded the cause of the abolition of the slave trade in England back in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s.

At that time the culture was much like ours now, very hedonistic, very sold out to pleasure and power. And on top of it, they had no desire to help those who were less fortunate. No desire at all. It wasn’t a matter of how to deal with them, Republicans saying the private sector should do more, Democrats saying the government should do more. There was no debate. No one wanted to help the poor. And slaves? Forget it.

And into this comes Wilberforce, and highly educated, very articulate, young wealthy merchant, who is in the House of Commons. He has an encounter with God, and almost decides to become a priest. However his mentor, John Newton, who wrote Amazing Grace, says to him that the work of God and the work he can do in Parliament are the same.

And so, into this climate of moral relativism and apathy, jumps Wilberforce. And the rest is history.

The story is amazing, the character is amazing, and the film is really good. The direction is quite good, not showy, but very careful, seemless in the way it flows. Apted is a well respected director, having done Coal Miner’s Daughter, Nell, and The World Is Not Enough and he is very equal to the task here.

The acting is also superb. Albert Finney, who plays Newton, is perfect. He is gruff, but also kind, strong, but also has a tender and broken heart over what he had done (Newton was a slave trader before he came to salvation). Michael Gambon, who you would know as the new Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films, is also amazing. Both lend a weight and gravitas to the film. Ciaren Hinds plays the leader of the opposition, and does a great job as well. All three lend weight and gravitas to the film.

But the other younger actors, Ioan Gruffud, Rufus Sewell and Romola Garai also do standout work. Sewell is perfect playing a slightly eccentric abolishionist named Thomas Clarkson. Garai, playing Wilberforces love interest and later wife, hits perfectly a 18th century woman, without seeming to be out of step with the 21st century. This is a tricky thing to do.

And Ioan Gruffudd is perfect as Wilberforce. He shows the galvanizing force that Wilberforce had, and yet the vulnerability he had as well. He also ages well, giving the impression of the many years that went by.

Others in the film are great as well, and make the film that much better.

The whole film is great. What is also neat to see is that it doesn’t shy from the Christian content. Wilberforce was a Christian, as were most of the abolishionists of the time. And Newton is a pastor. The film adequately shows this, and doesn’t back away, but doesn’t ram it down the throat of the audience.

The producer on this film is Ken Wales, backed by Bristol Bay Films, a division of Walden Media, which produced Ray last year. Ken is a committed Christian, who brought the series Christy to life on CBS in the 90’s. But he is good enough to realize that if he makes a good film with a great story, he doesn’t have to make it “Christian”. Other producers listed include Terrence Malick, of Thin Red Line and The New World fame.

This man, William Wilberforce, was an example to everyone of what it means to engage your culture and to be a Christian in the world. The effects of his work are still felt today.