Amazing Grace
2007, UK/USA, Directed by Michael Apted
Colour, Running Time: 118 minutes
Cinema screening, Image: 1.85:1 Spherical, Audio: English language
In 18th Century England the slave trade is prosperous for the country and politically sensitive as a result. One man, William Wilberforce, who is questioning his spiritual place in the universe decides to take on the system in order to bring about an abolishment of slavery, facing seemingly insurmountable odds in the process. Along the way he has to deal with increasing personal illness, the arrival of a woman who equals his views with her own passion and intelligence, and politicians that initially refuse to budge from their narrow minded attitude.
Based on apparently true accounts of how England’s part in the slave trade was finally brought down by the moral drive and relentless passion for doing what’s right by a small number of people, this is a film I wouldn’t normally have watched due to becoming a bit sick of hearing about slavery, the reported atrocities of Nazi Germany, things like that. Obviously I personally have never been involved in slavery (and don’t agree with keeping thinking organisms captive unless they’re wrong-doers) and feel insulted that modern day politicians are apologising on my (i.e. as a native of Britain) behalf for ‘our’ part in the slave trade a hundred or so years before any of us even existed. A person can only apologise for what they themselves have done as far as I’m concerned and this makes the PC actions of councillors and politicians rather redundant considering they were not actually involved. In light of that Amazing Grace works well as a historical drama rather than a piece of political preaching (which I hope it’s not intended to be), constructing what appears to be a well balanced story, perhaps even educational, and can therefore be considered to be of value as a film.
Cinematography is very good with well composed and lit imagery casting a sepia tone on many occasions, this being supported by an appropriately emotional score and combined with excellent acting and script work. I found the jump from Wilberforce’s exploits by two years towards the end to be notably jarring and clumsy, plus the film is somewhat slowly paced so I feel that some tighter editing would have been in order (it’s interesting to note that foreign cuts are about seven minutes shorter so I’m wondering how they differ). It’s a good piece of work anyway.