Amazing Grace Review

In the famous lyrics to the hymn 'Amazing Grace', it reads "I once was lost, but now am found".  There is much to be found in the world history of slave trading -- death, money, villains and heroes.The movie 'Amazing Grace' delves into the struggles of a true larger-than-life hero named William Wilberforce, who finds his calling in life by relentlessly fighting in the English Parliament for decades to stop the English slave trade.

Ioan Gruffudd holds our attention as the young Wilberforce greatly possessed by his convictions and haunted by the images of slaves pleading for freedom.  His good friend William Pitt, the youngest prime minister ever elected in Britain's history, was brought to life by Benedict Cumberbatch, a young actor with a very mature and intoxicating voice. These two fine actors are complemented by a fine cast of Albert Finney (who plays John Newton, the lyricist of Amazing Grace), Romola Garai, Youssou N'Dour (film debut), Michael Gambon, Rufus Sewell, Ciaran Hinds and Toby Jones.  Michael Apted has lived up to his acclaim as an award-winning director in the making of this thought-provoking, and sometimes surprisingly amusing docu-drama.

For Americans who are not always in touch with historical facts outside our own country, you may find yourself a little lost at times.  I'll admit that I was at times straining to follow the 18th century language and humor.  However, this is still a picture worthy of watching because of the story of Wilberforce and how he certainly inspired the abolition of slavery in our own country.