Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace (2006) is a film directed by Michael Apted about the campaign against the slave trade in 18th century Britain, led by famous abolitionist William Wilberforce, who was responsible for steering anti-slave trade legislation through the British parliament. The title is a reference to the hymn "Amazing Grace" and the film also recounts John Newton's writing of the hymn.

"19th Century British Parliament is set back on its heels when the idealistic young zealot, William Wilberforce (Gruffudd) takes a seat. As a young man, his minister, John Newton (Finney), author of the classic hymn, Amazing Grace, mentored Wilberforce. Newton instilled in Wilberforce a sense of the value of human life that lead him to launch an investigation followed by decades of lobbying to abolish the British slave trade. In the process, Wilberforce sacrifices the friendship of his fellow parliamentarian, William Pitt the Younger (Cumberbatch), status and his own health. Strengthened by the loving support of his wife, Barbara (Garai), he eventually sees justice served. Based on actual events, this story seeks to show how a man and a song changed the world." (alexrc IMDB)

The film stars Ioan Gruffudd as William Wilberforce, Albert Finney as John Newton, Rufus Sewell as Thomas Clarkson, Youssou N'Dour as Olaudah Equiano, Benedict Cumberbatch as Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger, Romola Garai as Barbara Spooner, the woman William Wilberforce married, Toby Jones as Prince William, the Duke of Clarence, Nick Thomas-Webster as a Member of Parliament and Ciarán Hinds as Sir Banastre Tarleton, Wilberforce's chief opponents in the House of Commons.

Michael Gambon (as Lord Charles Fox), Bill Patterson and Stephen Campbell Moore, Sylvestra Le Touzel are also featured in this film.

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