Patrick Lising
Millions of slaves being traded as cargo in inhumane conditions is finally is being put to an end.
“Amazing Grace” is situated around the abolition of the slave trade and is centered on main character William Wilberforce (played by Ioan Gruffudd), an abolitionist who campaigned to put an end to slave trading.
The film begins with Wilberforce taking a carriage ride to his cousin’s mansion. Henry Thornton (Nicholas Farrell), his cousin, tries to nurse an ill Wilberforce back to health.
At Thornton’s mansion, we find Wilberforce having nightmares about his knowledge of the slave trade. Thereafter, his cousin tries to set him up with Barbara Ann (Romola Garai), an anti-slave trade activist who also happens to be single.
Wilberforce’s account of his fight to end the slave trade over the years is presented in flashbacks. Glimpses of a young, energetic Wilberforce in Parliament are seen, as is the immense gathering of evidence his colleagues went through as they geared up to present their bill.
Director Michael Apted gathers all the senses in this film and shows the very essence of 18th century England. From small properties to large estates; discussions and arguments in Parliament; and slave plantations and slave ships, nothing is missed. The very essence of 18th century England is captured in this historical political drama.
The attire that the cast wore throughout the film is also accurate to what would be perceived to be the trend in 18th century England, especially some of the costumes Barbara Ann wears.
Each gives an essence of what the character is in society.
The actors all give very intuitive displays of their actual counterparts from the 18th century.
William Pitt, Wilberforce’s friend and prime minister, is portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch who gives an exceptional performance ranging from his youthful days when he and Wilberforce would conceive of taking Parliament by storm, to him growing into an older, loyal friend of Wilberforce.
Other characters in the film include Thomas Clarkson (Rufus Sewell) who provides some of the film’s comic relief and the aforementioned Barbara Ann, the love interest of Wilberforce, to name just a few.
A highlight of the film is the way the realistic slave conditions are portrayed. There are scenes of the slave ships and the awful conditions aboard.
Young slaves being killed in sugar plantations by fire and the accounts of Olaudah Equiano (Youssou N’Dour II) prove to be telling factors of “Amazing Grace’s” effectiveness in telling the story.
It gives the viewer motivation to know more of how it all ended and what was done to accomplish Wilberforce’s goals.
“Amazing Grace” is a solid, intuitive film that catches the essence of the struggle to abolish slavery in the British Empire through Wilberforce’s eyes.
Quite simply, it is an amazing movie that mustn’t be missed.
Film’s grade: A-
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