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Amazing Grace [2007]


RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £3.90 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

In this inspirational costume drama, Michael Apted (49 Up) recounts a important period in British history. Unsurprisingly, however, his eye-opening biography of 18th century abolitionist William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd) is likely to come as a revelation to many Britons. After all, despite the presence of his wife, Barbara (Romola Garai), this isn't a particularly "sexy" story, but it is a powerful one. The title comes from John Newton's hymn "Amazing Grace" ("I once was lost but now am found"). Newton (Albert Finney) was a former slaveholder, who became a clergyman and spent his days repenting. While America had John Brown, England had Wilberforce, and Newton is one of many who helped the MP to abolish slavery in the UK. The story begins towards the end of Wilberforce's mission when he's sick with colitis and addicted to laudanum. Apted continues to alternate between 1797 and 1789, when Wilberforce was fitter and more idealistic, and ends in 1807 as his efforts come to fruition.

Apted and writer Steven Knight (Dirty Pretty Things) do right by their hero. Unlike Amistad, however, slaves are largely off-screen, with the exception of author Equiano (Senegalese vocalist Youssou N'Dour). Amazing Grace reserves its focus for the politicians who risked their reps for the greater good, like Wilberforce and Prime Minister Pitt (an excellent Benedict Cumberbatch), and those more concerned with the income slavery provided their constituents, like Lord Tarleton (Ciarán Hinds) and the Duke of Clarence (Toby Jones). --Kathleen C. Fennessy


Worthwhile
Review date: 2008-08-16 Rating: 6 out of 10

An enjoyable film , but not as powerful or as moving as the film Amistad in conveying the cruelty and injustice of slavery. Despite this, an enjoyable film, especially the rousing bagpipe rendition of Amazing Grace at the end which was worth the price of the DVD alone.


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Reviews


Amazing Grace
Review date: 2008-07-31 Rating: 8 out of 10

'Amazing Grace' is the story of William Wilberforce and his fight to abolish slavery in Britain. The first part of the film is told via flashback and then after shows how he finally managed to pass his abolition act. Ioan Gruffudd acts the role of Wilberforce supremely and very soon into the film you are completely gripped and are following the story intently. The excellent costumes and scenery really add to the overall feel of the film and help immerse you in the period. The politics of the time are explored reasonably well and the details of the act and Wilberforce's struggle are recounted in enough depth, but without becoming too dry. At just under two hours, this film manages to keep you interested for the whole duration and yet makes you feel you have a good understanding of the issues. This is well worth a viewing, it's not your fast paced action film (nor does it try to be), but a slow, steady builder and all the better for it.

Don't listen to the low-star reviewers!! It's a great film!
Review date: 2008-07-24 Rating: 10 out of 10

I really cannot understand the views of the 1 and 2-star reviewers! I thought the film was great. The acting is not 'wooden' at all(The behaviour of people of the time was 'wooden'- reserved and 'proper'!) and William Pitt's character doesn't come over as a 'playboy' as one reviewer said! Did he/she not notice the subtle eye contact between Pitt and Wilberforce, and get the point that the P.M. had to be seen to be objective for a time?

As for one reviewer telling us to prefer The Bourne Conspiracy...it's like comparing chalk and cheese...irrelevant comment!

If you want an informative, atmospheric and entertaining period drama, then you'll like this.

The plot, scenery and script absorbed me. I learnt a lot about William Wilberforce and others of that time and it has spurred me on to learn more about the abolishionist movement.

Important! Not.
Review date: 2008-03-31 Rating: 2 out of 10

Historically inept, wooden acting, poorly scripted, about as accurate as an American war film. Did not do any Justice to Wilberforces battle to end slavery, reduced to it a section of sound bites. Chronoligically inaccurate, trivualised the efforts of the others around him, and made Pitt seam like a playboy who could only egg Wilberforce on to greater failures. Read the books available on the subject. Do not trust the movie as an accurate portrayel of what accutally happened.

Worthy but not great
Review date: 2008-02-29 Rating: 8 out of 10

It's a part of history every Brit should know - and it's given a suitable 'Hollywood' treatment - and fine performances throughout - but it's too clean, too moral, too simple.
I did quite enjoy it - it has good production values.
What was good was the sense of energy and dynamism.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Youssou N'Dour
Rufus Sewell
Michael Gambon
Ioan Gruffudd
Albert Finney

Creators:
Ioan Gruffudd (Primary Contributor)
Rufus Sewell (Primary Contributor)
Steven Knight (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: Momentum Pictures Home Ent
Manufacturer: Momentum Pictures Home Ent
EAN: 5060116722062
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2007-08-06
Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 112 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2006
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: French (Original Language)

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