History Features

Driving along to work on one morning of September 2005, whilst listening to BBC Radio Gloucestershire, I heard an announcement that Elstree Studio were to shoot a film about the abolition of slavery.

They were seeking to recruit extras, in all age groups, for the film. The film was to be called ‘Amazing Grace’. People from ethnic backgrounds were also required. I am a British Indian.

My children, then ten and seven had been attending drama lessons for about four years. This could be an interesting experience for them, I thought. When my wife and I took them for selection - but we were offered roles as well! The filming was to take place at Gloucester docks during the last weekend of October.

Around mid-October we had to go for costume fitting. The costumes were brought in from all over the world. A lot of them were from Rome. We, together with numerous others were termed the ‘low life’, fitted with appropriate clothing and wigs and also
made up to look scruffy and dirty like the poor working class in the 18th century would have looked like! All clothing, wigs, shoes etc. were labelled ready for filming days.

Filming

It was an early start; we had to be at the Gloucester docks for 6.00am. Full English breakfast, fruit and cereals were waiting for all. After breakfast, we put on the costumes and were ‘made up’ ensuring that all jewellery, mobile phones, watches etc were removed. Glasses were allowed on the set but had to be hidden during shoots.

Soon we were at the location. Wow, the place was unrecognisably transformed! We were at East India Docks in London late 18th century!

A number of sailing vessels were moored along the docks. Suitably old small boats were weaving about with fishermen on board. On the docks ‘low life’ workers were busy loading vessels, repairing boats, winching grain and other supplies, transporting goods, livestock and even their masters and mistresses in sedan chairs - to save their clothing and feet from getting dirty!

There was a cacophony of sounds included the pounding of iron by ironmongers, hammering, sawing, chattering, odd baying animals, poultry and horses walking on stony ground.

Gas fires made to look like logs in metal baskets were burning away at
various points along the docks area and some people were huddled around them for warmth. Great deal of attention was paid to every detail to remove all traces 21st century. It looked, smelt and felt as if we were transported back in time 300 years!

All sequences were filmed repeatedly until the directors were happy. This was quite time consuming as everything and everyone had to return in their original position; whether it was the sailing ship needing to go back half a mile down the waterway or
the horses etc to the other end of the docks.

For one scene of a ‘stormy and rainy day’ tankers load of water was unleashed
on some extras a number of times soaking them to the skin! Thank goodness that some powerful hot air blowers were provided to dry the costumes off reasonably well.

It was on the set that I began to learn a little more about the film.

It was about the struggles of 18th century Member of Parliament, William Wilberforce, to abolish the slave trade. I had never heard of him before. I was fortunate enough to be very near one of the very important scenes in the film during which William Wilberforce (played by Ioan Gruffudd) dupes the gentry on a ‘pleasure cruise’ and brings them close to a slave ship.

The stench from the slave ship must have been overbearing but Wilberforce commands them to breathe in that smell of pain, misery and death. For me, that was quite an emotive scene. It was at that moment that I realised what an amazing man Wilberforce had been. I have promised myself to read up more about him.

I also knew about the hymn ‘Amazing Grace’. What I didn’t know was that its author was John Newton, a slave trader who became an abolitionist after he converted to Christianity.

The words of the hymn has since then seemed powerful and far more meaningful to me. I feel very privileged that I and my family were part of this docu – drama about one of the most important people in our history who has left us the legacy of freedom.

Enjoyment

The filming at Gloucester was done over the period of three days with early start and late finish, nine at night! However, the entire experience was absolutely fascinating. Film extras came from all walks of life. There were students, a holistic therapist and a conservative councillor!

Many, like me, just did it for the intrigue and fun, but many were professional extras. Some of them had progressed on to play minor non-speaking roles. All, without any exception, were very friendly.

In fact, a small group of us had quite a laugh together during those three days and have since kept in touch through emails and plan to go and see the film together. My family and I are looking forward to that very much.   

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