Amazing Grace

A really moving movie, abt the great struggle of slaves & politicians (William Wilberforce) to abolish the slave trade, the humble life of amazing grace's author, love that blossoms in faith & hope, and the friendship that is torn apart & brought together by politics & passion. This is a movie that will truly touch your heart, if you are someone that watches movies that are a little deeper with tons of thoughtful conversation. Not in M'sia theatres, grab a dvd copy from stores available, heh.


2 quotes from the movie::

A cold morning in the countryside, the William Wilberforce went out of his house to lie on the wet grass in his garden.

"Dear God, I know this is utterly absurd, but I feel I have to meet you in secret."


And another day when William Wilberforce went to a church to seek advice from John Newton, the pastor & author of the song 'amazing grace'.

"Although my memory's fading, I remember two things very clearly. I'm a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior."



IMDB:

I saw this film on October 10th, 2006 in Indianapolis. I am one of the judges for the Heartland Film Festival's Truly Moving Picture Award. A Truly Moving Picture "…explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life." Heartland gave that award to this film.

This is an inspiring story based on a legendary historical British Member of Parliament, William Wilberforce. During the late 18th century and early 19th century, a very young Wilberforce is elected to Parliament and over the course of several decades leads the fight to ban slavery.

Today this seems like an easy, obvious and intuitive decision. But this was not so 200 years ago. The film clearly explains the entrenched economic motives and the political motives for slavery. Wilberforce starts out as almost a force of one and slowly builds abolitionist momentum by brilliant oratory, political maneuvers, and appealing to his fellow man's better nature.

Ioan Gruffudd is totally believable in explaining to the audience the complexity and heroism of Wilberforce. Wilberforce over the course of his life is sickly and strong, religious and worldly, naive and romantic, and idealistic and practical.

During the course of this mostly political story, we get to see the immense cruelty shown to the captured Africans turned into slaves. We are shown the slave sailing ships where the captured are treated inhumanely and die of starvation, neglect, disease, and filth. Man's inhumanity to man was never worse.

Wilberforce is a great man of history even though mostly forgotten today. He respected his fellow man regardless of their station in life. He was always willing to sacrifice his life and health to help others. And his compassion and spirit was always masked by his humility. He is a hero for all ages.

This is a period piece and you are lost in it because of the attention to detail. The sets, art direction, and costumes allow you to totally suspend disbelief and be moved by the story.