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Amazing Grace
by 20th Century Fox
| List Price: |
$19.98 |
| Price: |
$9.49 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. |
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$10.49 (52%) |
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DVD
TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT
Publisher: 20th Century Fox
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Actors: Ioan Gruffudd, Romola Garai, Benedict Cumberbatch, Albert Finney, Michael Gambon
From the makers of Ray, AMAZING GRACE tells the inspiring story of William Wilberforce and his passion and perseverance to pass a law ending the slave trade in the late 18th century. Several friends, including Wilberforce's minister, a reformed slave ship captain who penned the beloved hymn Amazing Grace, urge him to see the cause through.
In this inspirational costume drama, Michael Apted (49 Up) recounts a period in British history sure to be unfamiliar to most Americans. In fact, his eye-opening biography of 18th century abolitionist William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd) is likely to come as a revelation to many Britons, as well. After all, despite the presence of his wife, Barbara (Romola Garai), this isn't a particularly "sexy" story, but it is a powerful one. The title comes from John Newton's hymn "Amazing Grace" ("I once was lost but now am found"). Newton (Albert Finney) was a former slaveholder, who became a clergyman and spent his days repenting. While America had John Brown, England had Wilberforce, and Newton is one of many who helped the MP to abolish slavery in the UK. The story begins towards the end of Wilberforce's mission when he's sick with colitis and addicted to laudanum. Apted continues to alternate between 1797 and 1789, when Wilberforce was fitter and more idealistic, and ends in 1807 as his efforts come to fruition. Apted and writer Steven Knight (Dirty Pretty Things) do right by their hero. Unlike Amistad, however, slaves are largely off-screen, with the exception of author Equiano (Senegalese vocalist Youssou N'Dour). Amazing Grace reserves its focus for the politicians who risked their reps for the greater good, like Wilberforce and Prime Minister Pitt (an excellent Benedict Cumberbatch), and those more concerned with the income slavery provided their constituents, like Lord Tarleton (Ciarán Hinds) and the Duke of Clarence (Toby Jones). --Kathleen C. Fennessy
| Customer Reviews: |
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| Amazing Grace is well done |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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I ordered Amazing Grace after seeing part of it on television. I was impressed with the quality of the movie. I also am a big fan of the tune Amazing Grace played on the bagpipes, and the version at the end of this movie was impressive--it brought tears to my eyes.
Some have described this as the true story behind the song, but that is not accurate. It is a depiction of the fight in British Parliament to pass a law banning slavery in that country and its territories. I am intrigued by true stories from history, and was not disappointed in this one.
I recommend this movie because of the historical significance of the subject, but also because of the well-acted rendering of the movie.
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| Great Movie |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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This is a great movie about a one of the leaders in the early abolishionist movement in England. An outstanding historical film on a true character in history. This film was about as good as Luther.
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| Excellent |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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This item arrived earlier than I expected and in excellent condition!!! Thank you for making my Chirstmas shopping a pleasant one!!! God bless!!!
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| I waited so long to see this film... |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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When I heard that Amazing Grace was being made, I was so anxious to see it. However, when the film finally was released, I couldn't bring myself to see it, out of fear that a story of this magnitude would be trivialized, grossly misrepresented or factually twisted to infuse some bazaar and irrelevant agenda of modern political correctness.
Amazing Grace demonstrates a reach for perfection beyond anything that could be expected in a commercial film -- brilliant and not to be missed.
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| Great Viewing lots of History |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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This a good representation of the work of William Wilberforce and highlights the little known fact that the slave trade was abolished primarily out of economic considerations rather than men moved by humanitarianism. Moreover the treatment of John Newton is a good addition to the work and gave good support for the history of the famous Christian song. Interestingly Whitney Phipps has also highlighted the musicology and slave link to the melody of this song. A good movie and one that should be of interest to the youth
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