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 (Ciar??n Hinds) and the Duke of Clarence (Toby Jones). --Kathleen C. Fennessy

ignore all the negative reviews on amazon. obviously written by people who did not understand the film.
a great and true story of how one devoted christian changed world history, despite all the rich vested interests against him.
seventy years before lincoln, willberforce was trying to end the slave trade in the world and in the end succeeded.
great movie, all the bits fit together and are authentic (although the slave ship flying what I thought was the original American revolutionary flag - British Union flag plus 13 red and white stripes, was actually the flag the the east india company - and the cousins "borrowed" it for a couple of years)
buy and enjoy

This film is dangerouse. I watched it and I loved it sooooo much that I wanted to know how much of the story was accurate, so I read a biography about William Wilberforce, what an amazing person. And I keept reading on about him and I got more and more involved in the whole subject of slavery and the slave trade.
I found myself traveling to Hull (the birthplace of Wilberforce) and to other locations connected to Wilberforce.
My obsession gets as far as me not being able to spend the ??2 coins that celebrate the abolitation of the slave trade.
So if you don't mind these side effects, I urge you to watche this film,or, better read the fab biography, of this "out of this world" person, by William Hague.

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.

'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.

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.