The opening of "Amazing Grace," has a written statement that sets the stage for the movie. It reads, "By the late 18th century, over 11 million African men, women and children had been taken from Africa to be used as slaves in the West Indies and the American colonies. Great Britain was the mightiest super-power on earth and its empire was built on the backs of slaves. The slave trade was considered acceptable by all but a few. Of those, even fewer were brave enough to speak against it."The film is part biopic, part historical drama, and part fiction. It is an excellent story about slavery, and the efforts in 18th century England to stop the trafficking and sale of human beings. The focus is on one man who led a small group of dedicated people in the fight to end the slave trade. William Wilberforce, played by Ioan Gruffudd, was a man of many accomplishments in England. This film tells the story of his 26-year effort to abolish the slave trade. And, his inspiration for ending slavery completely within the British Empire by the time of his death in 1833. Gruffudd is just one of a large cast, all of whom deliver outstanding performances in their roles. Benedict Cumberbatch plays an excellent William Pitt (the Younger). Albert Finney is excellent as John Newton. He is a former slave-trader, now reformed, and writer of the song, "Amazing Grace." Michael Gambon is excellent as Lord Charles Fox (who was not a Lord in real life). Rufus Sewell as Thomas Clarkson, Ramola Garai as Barbara Spooner, and Youssou N'Dour as Olaudah Equiano all excelled in their roles. The rest of the supporting cast, down to Richard the butler, played by Jeremy Swift, were excellent. Two key fictional characters also were played quite well. Ciarán Hinds excelled as Lord Tarleton, a leader of those who opposed the abolition of the slave trade. He is another character of peerage who would not have served in the House of Commons, but the House of Lords. And, Toby Jones was very good as the fictitious character, the Duke of Clarence, who supposedly was the young son of the king. While not a character in this film, the king would have been King George III. He reigned almost the entire lifespan of Wilberforce – from 1760 (age 12) to 1820. The last 11 years of his life, he suffered a mental illness that earned him the title "Mad King George." This was, however, after the ending of the slave trade in 1807. The film overall does fair justice to the principal characters involved in the battles to end the slave trade and eventually slavery. The role of Lord Fox was highly fictionalized. He was ahead of Wilberforce in calling for an end to the slave trade – as was William Pitt the Younger. While many of the situations in the film are true, the actual details and facts are altered. I think the life of Olaudah Equiano would make for an interesting movie itself. Most of the details given in the film were factual. But the film doesn't mention his many accomplishments and travels as an explorer and merchant. He also went under the name of Gustavus Vassa, and later married an English woman. The couple had two daughters. He was 52 yeas old at his death. A scene in the movie has Wilberforce visiting his grave site, but in reality, the exact location of his burial is unknown. Movie buffs may be interested to know that the U.S. abolished the slave trade within months of the action by England. But, just as in England, slavery continued. England was much faster in ending slavery outright. That was in 1833, shortly after Wilberforce's death. It took the U.S. until December 6, 1865 to end slavery entirely. That was the date the states ratified the 13th amendment to the Constitution. On Feb. 1 of that year, Pres. Abraham Lincoln approved a joint resolution of Congress that provided for the constitutional amendment. Other viewers have referred to the film, "Amistad." It is an excellent companion film to "Amazing Grace." These are important stories about the horrors of slavery. And, they are good accounts of some early heroes in the cause to end this horrible abuse of human beings.Albert Finney's John Newton in this film gives an impassioned reply and charge to Wilberforce when he asks Newton for help. I think it's a nice description of the film's plot. "I can't help you. But do it, Wilber! Do it! Take them on! Blow their dirty, filthy ships out of the water. The planters, sugar barons, Alderman Sugar Cane, the Lord Mayor of London. … Liverpool, Boston, Bristol, New York – all their streets running with blood, dysentery, puke! You won't come away from these streets clean, Wilber. You'll get filthy with it, you'll dream it, see it in broad daylight. But do it … for God's sake." This is an excellent film all around.

Directed by Michael Apted, Amazing Grace is about the campaign against slave trade in the British Empire, led by William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd), who was responsible for steering anti-slave trade legislation through the British parliament in 18th century England. Wilberforce fruitlessly fights both public indifference and moneyed opposition determined to keep their exploitation safe. Nevertheless, Wilberforce finds the inspiration in newfound love Barbara Spooner (Romola Garai) to rejuvenate the fight with new ideas that would lead to a great victory for social justice. It was so touching, he's so determined. The title is a reference to the hymn "Amazing Grace" by John Newton (Albert Finney), William Wilberforce's friend who was inspired to write the song after his own experience with slavery. The song became a major influence on Wilberforce and the abolition movement. The movie was pretty good. I have to say, Ioan Gruffudd was great for the role. His acting and singing voice was stellar, I was so impressed. I have to say the supporting cast was astonishing. I am a huge fan of Benedict Cumberbatch's work, and love him as William Wilberforce's friend William Pitt the Younger. Other great cast members are Michael Gambon as Charles James Fox, Rufus Sewell as Thomas Clarkson, and Toby Jones as William, Duke of Clarence. For a Christian theme movie, it's not so bad. It doesn't preach too much, and allow the story to unfold. It's full of witty script, full of information worthy of a movie. It's a good movie worthy to be show in history classes, and anybody willing to know how slavery came to an end. Still, the movie comes with a few problems. There are some historical inaccuracies, such as example, in one scene Wilberforce, known as a fine singer, sings the first verse of "Amazing Grace". However, the verses written by John Newton were not associated with the now familiar melody until much later. The singing scenes are full of audio/visual unsynchronized that the film was delay for release due to boom problems and scenes not matching with the sound. Anachronisms are also in the film way too much. The worst one in my opinion is the bottle of Dom Perignon champagne. Why is there a bottle of Dom Perignon in the 18th century? That didn't come until the early 20th century. I didn't like the love story being add to the film, it took so much away from the main story of ending slavery. The editing get a little bit confusing. Jump back and forth from different periods of history of William Wilberforce's film. It easy to get lost where and when in history. I do have something else to say, during that year, 2006 when it was released, there were two movies that came out during the same time. One is this movie, while the other is call 'The Amazing Grace' an Nigerian-British historical drama film written by Jeta Amata & Nick Moran. That movie is about tells the reformation story of British slave trader John Newton (Nick Moran), sailing to what is now Nigeria to buy slaves but, increasingly shocked by the brutality of slavery, later gave up the trade and became an Anglican priest. While it's not well known, I don't want people to get confused and get the wrong movie. That movie by Nick Moran is good, but mediocre compare to this film. Overall: a good movie that is brilliant and important to history because it represented how much mankind need to know that slavery is wrong. Very inspirational film, so check it out.

The idealist William Wilberforce (finely played by Ioan Grufudd) along with Rhomas Clarkson (Rufus Sewell) and a group of anti-slave trade maneuver his way through Parliament, endeavoring to end the British transatlantic trade that would lead to a great victory . Wilberforce helped by his lifelong friend and future P. M . William Pitt (Benedict Cumberbatch) will fight to get their purports for social justice . Wilberforce encounters the inspiration in newfound love interest (Romola Garai) to rejuvenate the battle with new ideas . After many attempts to bring legislation forward over twenty years, he is eventually gets a bill being passed through Parliament in 1807, in which abolishes the slavery the British empire forever.This is a bicentennial tribute to William Wilberforce and his parliamentary bill abolishing the slave trade . Thought-provoking and moving film dealing with interesting issues , including fidelity to historical accuracy and detailed moral battles . Ioan Gruffudd is good as obstinate , romantic parliamentary member who battles relentlessly injustices ; he does a dignified portrayal about a great man . The prestigious cast shows their awareness of the contemporary impact about the brooding themes and are allowed to step out of period detail . Special mention to Benedict Cumberbatch as his lifelong friend Prime Minister William Pitt and N' Dour realizing an enjoyable portrait of an ex-slave . All of them are quietly upstaged by Albert Finney as a repent , remorse ex-slaver . The motion picture was marvelously directed by Michael Apted , he's director, producer of several successes such as ¨The word is not enough¨, ¨Gorillas in the mist¨ , ¨Class action¨, ¨Nell¨, ¨Enigma¨ , ¨Chronicles of Narnia II : The voyage of Dawn Treader¨ among others . Rating : Above average and worthwhile seeing , the whole family will enjoy this film .It's a very likable biography and enormously appealing for students and scholars . Overall this is a really nice movie . If you are familiar with the history then you will like this splendid film .This is a biopic well based on historical events , adding more details over the largely described in the movie are the following : William Wilberforce (24 August 1759 – 29 July 1833) was a British politician, philanthropist, and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. A native of Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, he began his political career in 1780, eventually becoming the independent Member of Parliament for Yorkshire (1784–1812). In 1785, he underwent a conversion experience and became an evangelical Christian, resulting in major changes to his lifestyle and a lifelong concern for reform. In 1787, he came into contact with Thomas Clarkson and a group of anti-slave-trade activists, including Granville Sharp, Hannah More and Charles Middleton. They persuaded Wilberforce to take on the cause of abolition, and he soon became one of the leading English abolitionists. He headed the parliamentary campaign against the British slave trade for twenty-six years until the passage of the Slave Trade Act of 1807. Wilberforce was convinced of the importance of religion, morality and education. He championed causes and campaigns such as the Society for Suppression of Vice, British missionary work in India, the creation of a free colony in Sierra Leone, the foundation of the Church Mission Society, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. His underlying conservatism led him to support politically and socially repressive legislation, and resulted in criticism that he was ignoring injustices at home while campaigning for the enslaved abroad.In later years, Wilberforce supported the campaign for the complete abolition of slavery, and continued his involvement after 1826, when he resigned from Parliament because of his failing health. That campaign led to the Slavery Abolition Act 1833, which abolished slavery in most of the British Empire; Wilberforce died just three days after hearing that the passage of the Act through Parliament was assured. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, close to his friend William Pitt.

This is a very powerful drama that keeps the viewer totally captivated through to the films emotional climax. The story is a fictionalised dramatisation of the career of reforming politician William Wilberforce and his intention to pass legislation in government to abolish slavery in the British Empire. He is played with a tour de force performance by Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd. Gruffudd is ably supported by an outstanding ensemble case, though particular mention has to go to actor Benedict Cumberbatch for his equally outstanding performance as fellow politician (and future prime minister) and best friend of Wilberforce William Pitt. Pitt's character is the pragmatist, and a wheeler-dealer, but Wilberforce is the more straightforward (if naive) character, who truly believes that the strength of the argument will win the day, and after some 20 years of trying, he finally achieves this. What is interesting about the film is that the main strength of the film is almost entirely down to excellent performances. British director Michael Apted is known for his films being primarily character based. While Charles Wood's production design, veteran Oscar-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan's (Gosford Park, Cranford and the King's Speech among her other credits), photographer Remi Adefarasin's and composer David Arnold's contributions are all first rate, this film is driven by Steve Knight's excellent script and outstanding acting performances of the entire cast. It is a real pleasure so see such skill from everyone in the cast, and how the actors all play off each other is really impressive. While the film is set at the turn of the 19th century, and therefore the film projects an appropriate atmosphere, the actors do play their roles in a way the feels real and totally accessible to an audience. It is known that Apted is renowned for creating a working environment that draws out good acting performances, and this is film is in the category of his best achievements in this regard, ranking alongside films such as Coal Miner's Daughter, Nell and Gorillas in the Mist. The film has no action to speak of, and Apted focuses the story on performance and dialogue rather, with mise-en-scene important but not the most important aspect of any sequence. However the film moves at a quick pace and sustains total interest throughout. Even actors in relatively smaller roles give outstanding performances, most notably Albert Finney as penitent former slaver turned monk John Newton and interest never sags. There are emotionally powerful moments, amusing and subtly comedic moments, exciting moments, sad moments, but all leading towards the films hugely emotional and enormously satisfying conclusion. The film is fairly straightforward in construction, though some of the changes of time-line are sometimes ambiguous and not easy to follow on the first viewing, but the film draws you in despite this minor gripe and will leave you touched and emotionally satisfied if you give a chance.