This impactful movie, which is called Amazing Grace, opens with a rainy day on a muddy road in England, one of the horses going lame as it pulls a carriage with William Wilberforce inside. Then begins the story based on the true story of a man who seeks to remind England that all men are equal. William Wilberforce is reviled by the pleasure-loving society of England, complacent about important issues. ​Wilberforce is obsessed with his effort to get the Parliament’s attention in regard to the wealth acquired on the backs of the slaves they trade.
​A flashback takes viewers back to a few years following the Revolutionary War. Wilberforce had been elected to Parliament at just age 21. He finds a relationship with God, which brings him to a place of decision—whether to choose a career serving God or serving in the Parliament. It is suggested that he can do both by serving God in the Parliament.

Wilberforce’s close friend William Pitt has big political ambitions but supports Wilberforce in his fight against slavery. Thomas Clarkson, who tells Wilberforce some extremely grim details about the treatment of slaves on their voyages to America becomes a partner in attempting to convince Parliament to ban the slave trade. Wilberforce visits the preacher he had heard as a child, John Newton, composer of the hymn “Amazing Grace,” who helped transport slaves until he met God. The thousands of slaves he helped to transport still haunt him.

Wilberforce is determined, in spite of a chronic illness. He finally finds himself attracted to a woman with equal wit, who can share his passion. Years pass and national crises come and go, but William Wilberforce never gives up on finding creative new ways to attempt to get his bill to abolish the slave trade passed. Finally the jubilant day of triumph arrives. This movie is a powerful story of what one man can accomplish with God’s help, an abundance of determination, and the help of a few loyal friends.

I mentioned at the beginning that this movie was BASED on a true story. There are some variances from the real story. According to an article about Wilberforce on the abolition.e2bn.org website, it was actually Thomas Clarkson and some others who first took an interest in stopping the slave trade. In 1787 Clarkson gave Wilberforce a copy of his “Essay on Slavery.” Beginning in 1789, Wilberforce steadily brought bills to stop the slave trade before the Parliament. In 1807, the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act finally won a victory in Parliament. But this did not stop the ownership of slaves in Britain. Wilberforce worked tirelessly to end slavery in Britain until 1821, when serious illness required that he ask someone else to take the lead. In 1824 he had to resign from Parliament. Nevertheless, in the spring of 1833 he wrote a petition to Parliament asking once again for a ban on slavery. On July 26, 1833, the Abolition of Slavery bill passed. Wilberforce died three days later. The strong faith that transformed his life was reality.

There is some drinking scattered though the film, and a little gambling. Wilberforce takes opium for his severe pain, though he finally refuses it, to be clear-headed. I was unaware that the “medicine” he was taking was opium until I read another review. Perhaps it was mentioned and I missed it. The other review noted about a dozen profanities. Apparently I was very absorbed in the story. I didn’t notice that many. The word “Nigger” is used, but it serves the purpose of showing the disrespect that some of the people had for blacks. Some people may be bothered by the cleavage sometimes revealed in the movie. It was rated PG, but , given the harsh details of the slaves’ mistreatment and the substantial amount of drinking, I think I would suggest it for ages 13 and up.

The movie lasts two hours. It was released in 2007. The actors do a fine job in this film. Ioan Gruffudo stars as William Wilberforce. Albert Finney plays John Newton, composer of “Amazing Grace.” The love of Wilberforce’s life, Barbara Spoon, is played by Romola Garai. Benedict Cumberbatch takes the role of William Pitt the Younger, Wilberforce’s friend who became England’s youngest Prime Minister at the age of 24. Thomas Clarkson, who acquired specific knowledge about the treatment of slaves, is played by Rufus Sewell. The former slave is played by Oloudah Equiano. I hope you’ll be able to see the inspiring story portrayed by these actors. Below is a trailer to give you a little preview.

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