Genre:
Historical Film
Theatrical Release: 02/23/2007(USA
Release Date: 01/01/2001
Sound: DD5.1
Run Time:
Flags: Adult Situations, Adult Language
Distributor/Studio: 20th Century Fox
One man's role in the long battle to outlaw slavery in the United Kingdom sets the stage for this
historical drama from director
Michael Apted. In 1784, 21-year-old
William Wilberforce (
Ioan Gruffudd) was elected to the British House of Commons, and soon established himself as a politician with a conscience. Several years later, his close friend
William Pitt (
Benedict Cumberbatch) became prime minister, and together they made a bold plan to introduce a bill banning slavery before the English legislature.
Wilberforce was aided by anti-slavery activists
Olaudah Equiano (
Youssou N'Dour) and
Thomas Clarkson (
Rufus Sewell); however, pro-slavery hard-liners
Lord Tarleton (
Ciarán Hinds) and the
Duke of Clarence (
Toby Jones) spearheaded a hard-fought opposition to the legislation, and despite
Wilberforce's best efforts, his bill went down in defeat. In 1797,
Wilberforce left politics due to poor health and a battered spirit; staying at the country home of his friends
Henry and
Marianne Thornton (
Nicholas Farrell and
Sylvestra Le Touzel), he became acquainted with
Barbara Spooner (
Romola Garai), a beautiful woman with progressive views.
Spooner became deeply infatuated with
Wilberforce, and she encouraged him not to give up on his noble goals; with her help,
Wilberforce launched a second campaign to persuade England's lawmakers to end the slave trade.
Amazing Grace made its North American premiere as the closing-night gala attraction at the
2006 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
;)
