Amazing Grace

Behind the Song is a Story You'll Never Forget

Michael Apted – director

Reviewed by David Hellige – Staff writer

Rated PG for thematic material involving slavery and mild language

Many of us throughout the course of our lives aspire to do great things. As children, we dream of being astronauts, actors, or even presidents, wanting to make a real difference in the world we live in. Amazing Grace, in theatres February 23, tells the story of a man who did just that. The life and work of William Wilberforce (1759-1833) not only revolutionized the society of the British Empire, but shot ripples through time that impact us today.

A lifelong friend and supporter of England’s youngest ever Prime Minister, Pitt the Younger (played by Benedict Cumberbatch), Wilberforce (played by Ioan Gruffudd) spearheaded the movement for the Abolition of Slavery. Torn between his calling to God and his calling to politics, he was inspired to take his desire for the equality of all mankind into the House of Commons. Seeking guidance from John Newton (played by Albert Finney), an ex-slave trader turned preacher, Wilberforce became the rallying voice in Parliament for a fragmented crowd of like-minded people to show Britain, and ultimately the world, the horror of the Slave Trade.

Overall, I felt this movie was very well done! After watching it, I researched Wilberforce, finding that this movie was indeed historically accurate in almost every detail. I also thought the movie truly (but tastefully) revealed the appalling treatment of slaves at the time. I walked out of the theater not only feeling good about the movie I’d just seen, but also enlightened by the life and work of this politician who served as the voice of those who couldn’t speak for themselves.

As I watched this movie, I was also reminded of a couple of the account of Moses freeing the Israelites from Egyptian slavery found in Exodus. We see that the British Empire, like the Egyptian, was built on the backs of slaves, and God appoints one man fight through various trials for their freedom. The story of Moses and the story of Wilberforce are powerful parallels to the story of Christ. Just as Moses was the advocate for the Hebrews and Wilberforce was the advocate for the Africans, Christ is the advocate for His chosen people, as his death freed us from the slavery of sin.

There were a few points from this movie that as a Christian I believe we should all take to heart. In a line of dialogue, Wilberforce’s butler asks, “You found God sir?” To this, Young Wilberforce replies “No I think He found me. Do you know how inconvenient that is?” After calling Wilberforce, God gives him a specific purpose. As Wilberforce seeks advice, Newton tells him, “You have work to do.” He then goes on to tell Wilberforce to “Blow their dirty filthy ships out of the water!” For about fifteen years, Wilberforce fought passionately for the abolition of the slave trade. When he saw no results, he got frustrated, tired, and sick, and he withdrew from the fight. However, it wasn’t long before he met Barbara Spooner (played by Romola Garai), who restored his vision, and Wilberforce fought harder than ever, overcoming his illness and accomplishing his vision. This is symbolized by one point in the movie when Wilberforce and Pitt are racing across the countryside in bare feet. As they walk toward the estate after the race, Pitt complains to Wilberforce, “Why is it you can only feel the thorns after you’ve stopped running?”

This is an amazing parallel to the Christian life. Though it seems like we find God, it’s actually He who finds us. Once He does, He gives us a purpose, and then gives us the drive to complete this task. Sometimes we grow tired and we either slow down or stop completely, licking the wounds from the thorns in our feet. However, when we get up, dust ourselves off, and continue to run the race, we finish victorious.

I recommend that all Christians go out and see this movie! Furthermore, I recommend that every Christian research the lives of William Wilberforce and John Newton (Newton was the hymnist who wrote the famous hymn by the same name). Amazing Grace is an excellent film with the capacity to open the minds and the hearts of the Christian community in St. Louis.