Year: 2006                                          Release Date:  February 26, 2007

Written by: Steven Knight

Starring:  Ioan Guffud, Albert Finney, Michael Gambon, Benedict Cumberbatch

This is a moving and inspiring movie about actual events leading to the end of the slave trade in Great Britain.  Elected to the House of Commons at the age of 21, William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffud pronounced Ian Griffin) takes his seat in the late 1700s and with zeal and idealism rarely displayed in politics and attempts to end the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.  Inspired by his childhood minister, John Newton (Albert Finney), Wilberforce takes on Parliament but also tackles the court of public opinion.  John Newton was a former slave trader who, during a storm at sea, took an oath to give his life to the church should he survive.  True to his word, he survived and wrote several hymns, the most revered being “Amazing Grace.”

Through the years he is met with resistance and support but the politics and politicians of his time and his measure is defeated year after year.  Ready to quit, his new love (played by Ramona Garai) and his old friend William Pitt (Benedict Cumberbatch) reignite his ambition.

One of the finest quotes I’ve ever heard in a movie is made by Lord Charles Fox (Michael Gambon) and is presented here (don’t read if you hate spoilers):

“When people speak of great men, they think of men like Napoleon – men of violence. Rarely do they think of peaceful men. But contrast the reception they will receive when they return home from their battles. Napoleon will arrive in pomp and in power, a man who’s achieved the very summit of earthly ambition. And yet his dreams will be haunted by the oppressions of war. William Wilberforce, however, will return to his family, lay his head on his pillow and remember: the slave trade is no more.”

A great website accompanies the movie with downloads for educators and students. Its located at http://www.amazinggracemovie.com .  The song endures as more than a hymn.  It is played during funerals of firefighters and law enforcement killed in the line of duty, it was played as an anthem of the civil rights movement, it was played when Nelson Mandela was freed, and it was played during the fall of the Berlin Wall.