Review of "Amazing Grace"

"Amazing Grace" is a biographical film of 18th century English Christian leader, MP and social activist William Wilberforce. This film, by Hollywood standards, is a fairly even handed portrayal of Wilberforce's conversion, life struggles and prolonged battle to eliminate the slave trade in the British Empire. The film allows enough time to develop the complex relationship between Wilberforce, his wife, Prime Minister William Pitt and the ex-slave trader John Newton. The writer interestingly weaved aspects of the central characters that would appeal to both Evangelicals and political liberals. Wilberforce's dominant Christian belief is never explicitly voiced in the film, but is implied by his passions and way of life. John Newton is brilliantly portrayed by Albert Finney. In the most moving scene of the movie, a blind John Newton declares to a troubled and dismayed Wilberforce "I am a great sinner, but Christ is a great savior."

More on the movie can be viewed at the following link: Amazing Grace