 | | Wilberforce speaks in Parliament |
Amazing Grace Directed by Michael Apted Written by Steven Knight Starring: Ioan Gruffudd; Albert Finney; Michael Gambon; Ciarán Hinds; Romola Garai; Youssou N’Dour; Rufus Sewell __________________________________________________ It’s always a worry when Hollywood gets hold of British History. Think Mel Gibson 'Braveheart' or 'Robin Hood Price of Thieves' then you understand the reviewer’s apprehension when approaching 'Amazing Grace'. There is no need to worry. This film deserves to be in every school as a resource in the way that 'Schindler’s List' was made available by Steven Spielberg. 'Amazing Grace' concentrates on affairs in this country looking at the abolitionist movement and the years of political struggle as William Wilberforce strives to get his abolition bill through Parliament.
 | | Albert Finney and Ioan Gruffudd |
There is no graphic portrayal of the capture of slaves, their treatment on the ships or on the plantations. The slaves were carried on what was called the 'middle passage' and so were not in the sight or minds of a society growing in opulence on the back of the most abject cruelty and the film recreates this ignorance of the truth. Instead a brilliant British cast show why the merchant venturers were so keen to protect their trade. There is a moving scene though where a boatload of dignitaries are taken on a trip round the docks. The bun fight is brought to an abrupt end as Wilberforce appears on the poop deck of the Madagascar, a slave ship, and shows them the shackles and points out the stench of the holds. William Wilberforce is portrayed by Ioan Gruffudd who took the lead in 'Hornblower'. Like all the cast he looks exactly like contemporary portraits of his character. Musician Youssou N’Dour is superb as former slave turned abolitionist Olaudah Equiano. In fact the film oozes fine character acting throughout. Rufus Sewell captures the exuberance of abolitionist driving force Thomas Clarkson. Ciaran Hinds plays Liverpool MP Lord Tarleton and clearly brings to life the concerns that ending the slave trade would bring to his city. I’ve been researching John Newton and some of his supporters aren’t happy with the film’s portrayal of him in sackcloth and ashes cleaning out his church. But Albert Finney for me brings him to life and his joy at the final passing of the bill is a brilliant end to the film. I particularly enjoyed the scenes in Parliament, a collection of grotesques in a debauched Commons, something that Wilberforce also strived to reform. It’s a long film but it doesn’t grate at all and has its lighter moments. Occasionally it’s flawed, Pitt the Younger’s death seems to come out of the blue for example. I also think the tune which 'Amazing Grace' is sung to is anachronistic, being added later. Where the film works so well is the makers resisted the temptation to sensationalise the slave trade. It would have been easy to dramatise the capture in the way Mel Gibson does in 'Apocalypto'. The film doesn’t tell the whole story of slavery. It’s one piece of the story that then needs fleshing out with the story of the enslaved Africans themselves. Many museums will be staging displays and the Lent Course on this website is a valuable research tool alongside this excellent film. 'Amazing Grace' will be on general release on 23 March 2007. | 
