Movie: Amazing Grace (2006)

“In 1797, William Wilberforce, the great crusader for the British abolition of slavery, is taking a vacation for his health even while he is sicker at heart for his frustrated cause. However, meeting the charming Barbara Spooner, Wilberforce finds a soulmate to share the story of his struggle. With few allies such as his mentor, John Newton, a slave ship captain turned repentant priest who penned the great hymn, “Amazing Grace,” Prime William Pitt, and Olaudah Equiano, the erudite former slave turned author, Wilberforce fruitlessly fights both public indifference and moneyed opposition determined to keep their exploitation safe. Nevertheless, Wilberforce finds the inspiration in newfound love to rejuvenate the fight with new ideas that would lead to a great victory for social justice. Written by Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com)”

  • Director: Michael Apted
  • Release Date: 23 February 2007 (USA)
  • Run Time: 117 min | USA:111 min | Canada:111 min (Toronto International Film Festival)
  • Country: UK , USA
  • Genre: Biography , Drama , History , Romance
  • MPAA: Rated PG for thematic material involving slavery, and some mild language.

Tagline: Behind the song you love is a story you will never forget.

Trivia: A special screening of the film was shown in Buncrana, Co. Donegal in Ireland. This was in celebration of John Newton’s link with the county, when in 1748 his slave ship, the Greyhound, came ashore after surviving a terrible storm. This event began the spiritual journey for Newton, which culminated in his authorship of the song, Amazing Grace.

Goofs: Anachronisms: The tune to which the song, Amazing Grace was sung was not used until some fifty years later.

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