Amazing Grace (PG, 2007)

common sense media says

Earnest drama about fervent English abolitionist.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

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.

Positive 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 applicable.
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).

More on Amazing Grace

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

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?

What's the story?

What's the story?

AMAZING GRACE follows the career of early British abolitionist/evangelical Christian William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd). As the film begins, Wilberforce is dismayed by England's moral decline and thinks that he might be better suited for religion than politics. Already renowned for his work within the abolitionist movement, he first appears commanding a mud-covered knave to stop beating his horse. Wilbeforce's pained face shows his physical capacity for empathy, a theme that comes up repeatedly in the film.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

As the sober and reverential film begins, Wilberforce appears commanding a mud-covered knave to stop beating his horse. Wilbeforce's pained face shows his physical capacity for empathy, a theme that comes up repeatedly in the film. A series of flashbacks shows how Wilberforce earned his reputation. Their opponents are unconditionally malevolent, especially the Duke of Clarence (Toby Jones), who's introduced as he instructs an underling to "Fetch my [the "N" word]" -- he wants to use his "property" to up the ante in a card game.

Wilberforce's visible horror at this gesture soon turns into inspiration: He decides to make his enemies in government see the evils they're perpetuating. This thematic connection to the song "Amazing Grace" (which Wilberforce sings passionately in one scene) informs the movie's own structure. The more Wilberforce "sees" -- through flashbacks and imagined visions pictured while remorseful slave ship captain/"Amazing Grace" composer John Newton (Albert Finney) recalls abusing and killing slaves -- the more dedicated he becomes to his work.

Movie themes & details

Themes
Movie Details
Studio: Samuel Goldwyn Company
Director: Michael Apted
Cast: Ioan Gruffudd, Michael Gambon, Romola Garai
Genre: Drama
Run time: 111 minutes
Theatrical release: February 23, 2007
DVD release: November 13, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: thematic material involving slavery, and some mild language.
Watch our review

This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
 
 

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What parents & educators say

11

Most useful reviews by all members

Abigail Belting
kid, 11 years old
 
AMAZING MOVIE!

Dman
teen, 17 years old
 
Bored out of my mind...
This was one of the worst movies i have ever seen...second only to rattatouile...

perfectionist
teen, 15 years old
 
Wonderful
This movie is one of my favorites. Incredible acting.

 
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.

 
Good for teenagers and adults
Very good movie. One of the only movies out there that makes my brain think :) The average teenager might find it boring, but when I first saw it I liked it a lot.

mtadros
adult
 
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.

 
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.

Gerard1
adult
 
OK Alright
Not bad once was enough for me though. My Parent's grandfather and friends loved it though.

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

 
Good family movie, great for discussion and explanation.
I don't know how accurate the details are, but the message is clear. Any person who is passionate about a cause that makes this world a better place, can make a difference. Wilberforce was a man of convictions. He did not wait until he was middle aged to engage the world. He was serving in government at age 21. Most of our 21 year olds are playing video games.

vwterry
adult
 
Scenes describing the horrors of slavery were too intense for me, much less for children. Definitely misrated--should have been PG-13. Only for mature middle schoolers and up.

 
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.

eteichert
teen, 17 years old
 
Fantastic!!!!!
An amazing film that captivates the viewer's attention and holds it indefinately! A must-see for moviegoers of any age!

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