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Amazing Grace

(2007, Rated PG, Drama, Starring Michael Gambon, Romola Garai, Ioan Gruffudd)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 10.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Earnest drama about fervent English abolitionist.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 10–11

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Wilberforce is a good man struggling to abolish slavery; his political opponents describe slavery as "good business," even though the film repeatedly demonstrates the dehumanization and violence such "business" entails. Plenty of political wrangling and deal-making.
  • Violence:

    In the first scene, two men beat a horse (Wilberforce stops them); much discussion of slavery and physical abuse; Equiano shows a brand on his chest; metal torture and restraint devices inspire Wilberforce to work harder at abolition; flashback scene shows a child knocked by an explosion; Wilberforce and others describe or imagine slaves in chains and under duress. Wilberforce's poor health leads to some tense scenes.
  • Sex:

    Wilberforce dreams of a scene in which fully clothed couples mbrace and cavort in a theater; minor flirting and kissing between Wilberforce and Barbara; she shows cleavage several times.
  • Language:

    An overtly "bad" character uses the "N" word; other profanity is mild, including "ass," "hell," and "damn."
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Pipe smoking; several scenes show social drinking (Wilberforce disparages drinking as a sign of low morals); Wilberforce takes an opium-based medicine (laudanum).
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Amazing Grace

Parents need to know that a former slave and a former slave ship captain describe slavery in direct, no-holds-barred language. Flashbacks and dream sequences also involve slavery. A horse is beaten in an early scene. Instruments of physical abuse -- chains, restraints, clamps -- appear on screen. Men smoke pipes, and several characters drink liquor at parties and sometimes alone. Wilberforce suffers from colitis and takes opium-based medicine to treat it. Mild language ("hell" and "damn"), plus one very pointed use of the "N" word.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how Wilberforce connects his religious calling with his political career. How is his work inspired by his faith? What is the significance of the song "Amazing Grace," both for the early (and lengthy) abolitionist movement, and, later, during the Civil Rights movement in the United States? Do you think the politicians that Wilberforce was up against liked slavery? If not, why did they continue to support the practice? How is the political lobbying and dealmaking of Wilberforce and his gang similar to what goes on in politics today? How is it different?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Fantastic!!!!!

    An amazing film that captivates the viewer's attention and holds it indefinately! A must-see for moviegoers of any age!

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 1.0

    Bored out of my mind...

    This was one of the worst movies i have ever seen...second only to rattatouile...

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 2.0

    OK Alright

    Not bad once was enough for me though. My Parent's grandfather and friends loved it though.

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Loved it

    It stirs your heart and makes you want to do something. It shows the world is not a bad place and everyone has a place and no one is unknown. Any chance you get, you should watch it. Good for the whole family and it shows of how everyone has a heart and everyone is loved by God and everyone is equal in sight.

  5. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    THANKED GOD

    Amazing film i thank God for all the people who done it and GOD BLESS . it is a great filim to witness God's Amazing Love and Grace available to all.

  6. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    I cried

    Shows what human being should be, respect all the lives. Great!

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 0.0

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

  9. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0

    Very Good Messages without Undue Violence

    For the subject matter being covered this movie does an excellent job of letting people know what was really happening at the time without being unduly violent. The whipping of a horse is the only actual scene in which someone/thing is hurt. Instead, the empty interior of a slave ship is shown, compelling statistics are cited (400 of 600 slaves dieing on one voyage), and things like shackles and an owners brand brandished by a former slave are shown. For those that are very perceptive there is a letter being read at one point that includes a very brief narrative about a child being accidentally burned to death while the accompanying video shows a very fuzzy worker transposed by a flame. Our child is very sensitive but was not overly bothered by any of these scenes. Very pretty but typical shots of 1800 England add to the educational benefit. Our 12 year old was not at all bored and really enjoyed the film. Hyper, visually oriented, or much younger kids might be.

  10. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

  11. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    A wholesome family movie

    This is a great movie for children ages 10 and older. It really shows you what African American's went through during the slave trade. It has a great message about never giving up in what you believe in. This movie shows how Parliment works and shows how the history was during the 1700s. The movie starts with William sick and he recieves flashbacks of when he was younger. Throughout the movie there are many parts that make you smile, like when William is poking fun at a prince. This movie will not be a movie for you if you have to have a high action movie, but if you like a family movie with good moral then this could be the movie for you.

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 3.0

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