Common Sense Media Review
Earnest drama about fervent English abolitionist.
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Amazing Grace
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 8 parent reviews
What's the Story?
Set at the turn of the 18th century, AMAZING GRACE follows the career of early British abolitionist/evangelical Christian William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd) and his political allies and friends, such as Prime Minister William Pitt (Benedict Cumberbatch). As the film begins, Wilberforce is dismayed by England's moral decline and thinks that he might be better suited for religion than politics, especially with malevolent people in power, like the Duke of Clarence (Toby Jones), who's introduced by Clarence's instruction to an underling to "Fetch my [the "N" word]." Wilberforce's visible horror at this gesture soon turns into inspiration, and he—along with a coalition of activists—fight tooth and nail to pass legislation that will effectively abolish slavery in Great Britain.
Is It Any Good?
As this sober and reverential film begins, Wilberforce commands a mud-covered knave to stop beating his horse. From the outset of Amazing Grace, Wilberforce's pained face shows his physical capacity for empathy, a theme that comes up repeatedly in the film. The movie's thematic connection to the song "Amazing Grace" (which Wilberforce sings passionately in one scene) informs the film's structure. The more Wilberforce "sees"—through flashbacks and imagined visions pictured while John Newton (Albert Finney), the remorseful former captain of a ship carrying enslaved people to Britain (and also the composer of "Amazing Grace"), recalls abusing and killing Black people—the more dedicated Wilberforce becomes to his work.
This technical framework serves the movie well, but from a broader standpoint, you have to wonder whether a movie about the abolition of slavery should have been told entirely from the point of view of White men. Perhaps if the minor character of Black activist Olaudah Equiano (Youssou N'Dour) had been given more to do, his otherwise tokenized inclusion might have softened the edges of this film's lean into White savior clichés.
Talk to Your Kids 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 abolitionist movement and, later, during the U.S. civil rights movement?
Why did the politicians that Wilberforce was up against support the practice of slavery? How is the political lobbying and deal-making of Wilberforce and his supporters similar to what goes on in politics today? How is it different?
How do Wilberforce and his colleagues and supporters demonstrate the character strengths of integrity, courage, and perseverance in their quest to abolish the slave trade? How can these strengths be used to fight for social justice overall?
Does Amazing Grace responsibly portray the history of African enslavement? What new perspectives does it bring to existing films about abolition, and what points of view are missing?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 23, 2007
- On DVD or streaming : November 13, 2007
- Cast : Ioan Gruffudd , Benedict Cumberbatch , Michael Gambon , Romola Garai
- Director : Michael Apted
- Inclusion Information : Female actors
- Studio : Samuel Goldwyn Company
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : History
- Character Strengths : Courage , Integrity , Perseverance
- Run time : 111 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : thematic material involving slavery, and some mild language.
- Last updated : May 8, 2024
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