Hi Raquelle Rusuel,
Right after I got out of college, I volunteered with a local lawyer who was running for judge. He was a write-in candidate running against someone with several years experience. He was pro-life; she was pro-choice. She had the distinction of jailing pro-life demonstrators during the Republican National Convention in Houston.
What my candidate lacked in experience he more than made up for with enthusiasm. His passion for his beliefs was contagious. In the end, he lost the election. But he received more votes than any other write-in candidate in recent history. His life made an impact on our city and on me.
Wiliam Wilberforce had an impact on not just his city and country, but on history for generations to come. The movie Amazing Grace chronicles his fight against the slave trade. At the age of 21,
he became a member of Parliament. When he was 28, he started a campaign to abolish slavery in Great Britain.
One of his best friends was William Pitt, who became Prime Minister of England. In a memorable scene, Pitt tells Wilberforce, “We’re too young to realize that certain things are impossible.” The crusade Wilberforce began as a young man ended with a resounding victory 20 years later.
This film is a stirring example of how one person’s persistence can bring about change. It also gave fresh life to those organizations fighting slavery today, even in the United States. It makes me ask myself, “What am I fighting for? Where is my life making a difference?”
Do you want to be stirred and challenged? Get a copy of Amazing Grace. Know someone championing what seems to be a hopeless cause? Give them this film.
Many of us at ChristianCinema.com went to see Amazing Grace, so we're giving you a staff review below.
From the screening room,
Angela Walker
ChristianCinema.com
Amazing Grace - DVD
Every song has its story. Every generation has its hero.
Amazing Grace, based on the life of antislavery pioneer William Wilberforce, is directed by Michael Apted (The World is Not Enough, Coal Miner's Daughter) from an original screenplay written by Academy Award® nominee Steven Knight (Dirty Pretty Things).
Get this film in the William Wilberforce Collection and save!
Ioan Gruffudd plays Wilberforce, who, as a Member of Parliament, navigated the world of 18th Century backroom politics to end the slave trade in the British Empire. Albert Finney plays John Newton, a confidante of Wilberforce who inspires him to pursue a life of service to humanity. Benedict Cumberbatch is William Pitt the Younger, England's youngest ever Prime Minister at the age of 24, who encourages his
friend Wilberforce to take up the fight to outlaw slavery and supports him in his struggles in Parliament.
Elected to the House of Commons at the age of 21, and on his way to a successful political career, Wilberforce, over the course of two decades, took on the English establishment and persuaded those in power to end the inhumane trade of slavery.
Romola Garai plays Barbara Spooner, a beautiful and headstrong young woman who shares Wilberforce's passion for reform, and who becomes his wife after a whirlwind courtship. Youssou N'Dour is Olaudah Equiano. Born in Africa and sent as a slave to the Colonies, Equiano bought his freedom and made his home in London, where he wrote a best-selling account of his life and became a leading figure in the fight to end the slavery of his fellow countrymen.
Special Features:
- Audio commentary with Director Michael Apted and Ioan Gruffudd
- How Sweet the Sound: The Story of
Amazing Grace - this half-hour documentary provides an in-depth look at the making of the film and the story’s relevance to today
- Finding Freedom featurette - A tour of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center providing factual information about modern-day slavery practices.
- Interactive Discussion Tools and Study Guides - The discussion guides provide thought-provoking questions that can be printed out for use in classrooms or bible study groups.
- Music video of Grammy Nominee Chris Tomlin’s version of “Amazing Grace.”
William Wilberforce Collection
Get the hit movie and Wilberforce's own book for one low price!
William Wilberforce was a Christian and British politician in the late 18th century who literally spent his life in the pursuit of authentic Christianity and saw the world forever changed as a result. See the powerful film that portrays his fight against slavery and read his own words in the book that played a part in the eventual abolition of Britain's slave trade.
Amazing Grace - DVD
The inspiring story of how one man's passion and perseverance changed the world. Based on the true life story of William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd), a leader of the British abolition movement, the film chronicles his epic struggle to pass a law to end the slave trade in the late 18th century. Along the way, Wilberforce meets intense opposition
from members of Parliament who feel the slave trade is tied to the stability of the British Empire. Several friends, including Wilberforce's minister, John Newton (Albert Finney), a reformed slave ship captain who penned the beloved hymn Amazing Grace, urge him to see the cause through.
Real Christianity - Book
He believed that slavery was wrong; and with his classic book, Real Christianity, William Wilberforce set out to describe for people an authentic expression of the Christian faith. In doing so, he changed the course of a nation—and the world. Real Christianity, paraphrased in modern language and made more accessible to contemporary readers, is the book that helped abolish the slave trade in the United Kingdom, and called Christians to live a more authentic life of
faith more than 200 years ago. As you read his passionate words, you'll find that Wilberforce's examination of what it means to have authentic faith in a time of cultural Christianity resonates strongly, even today. Discover how the concepts of sin, evil and depravity have been watered-down. Find out how the essential beliefs of authentic Christianity have been distorted. Learn how to maintain a biblical lifestyle. Although written more than 200 years ago, the timeless truths in this book will speak to you in fresh ways. It will also serve as a litmus test of the authenticity of your own spiritual values.
Industry Interview
Amazing Grace: Staff Review
by Angela Walker
Amazing Grace is one of the most inspirational films we've seen in recent memory. The story of William Wilberforce's fight to end slavery in England is very inspirational. We had no idea how widespread the issue of slavery was in England, so the film was educational in that respect.
The costuming and set design were wonderful; they seemed very authentic. The scale was grand and sweeping and gave a sense of the breadth of the story - that this was a battle bigger than just England and its Parliament.
Kathy said, "I found myself in tears a lot. The scene with Albert Finney as the older John Newton where he struggles to remember writing the hymn 'Amazing Grace' was very gripping." His performance as the slave trader-turned preacher and Ioan Gruffudd's performance as William Wilberforce were exceptional.
Laura was inspired by Wilberforce's
absolute belief in his mission and the tenacity with which he continued his fight. He gave everything for his cause, continuing to fight for it long after others thought he should give up. Laura said, "I asked myself 'what do I believe in enough to sacrifice for?'"
We realize how far society has come since that time, and yet prejudice and suppression still exist in our world, and even in our own towns. One staff member says, "Prejudice is a choice, and I choose not to be prejudiced."
It's impossible to watch this film and not be inspired to persevere, whatever your fight.
©ChristianCinema.com 2007
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