|
Amazing Grace [2007] | ![Amazing Grace [2007]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Y8nD9c9uL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: Michael Apted
Actors: Ioan Gruffudd, Rufus Sewell, Michael Gambon, Albert Finney, Youssou N'dour
Studio: Momentum Pictures Home Ent
Category: DVD
List Price: £19.99
Buy New: £3.90
You Save: £16.09 (80%)
New (18) from £3.90
Rating:  30 reviews
Format: Pal
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language)
Rating: Parental Guidance
Region: 2
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 112 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5060116722062
ASIN: B000PY50SS
Theatrical Release Date: 2006
Release Date: August 6, 2007
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand New and Fully Guaranteed - Over 90% of orders are dispatched same day or next day by First Class post. Please note Danish customers may incur custom charges.
| |
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
In this inspirational costume drama, Michael Apted (49 Up) recounts a important period in British history. Unsurprisingly, however, his eye-opening biography of 18th century abolitionist William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd) is likely to come as a revelation to many Britons. 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 (Ciaran Hinds) and the Duke of Clarence (Toby Jones). --Kathleen C. Fennessy
|
| Customer Reviews:
 An outstanding and inspirational film May 24, 2007
Roger Boon (Dundee, UK)
108 out of 114 found this review helpful
I would place this film amongst the most powerful I have ever seen in a long life of cinema going.The script was brilliantly tight and barely a word was wasted. The sets were very authentic and cost I heard a reported 30 million. Beyond the walls of Wilberforce's home the world of London was presented in a dark and brooding manner which reinforced the sense of the legitimised evil that Wilberforce and his associates were fighting.
The mainly ensemble British acting was of the highest order. Outstanding performances amongst others were given by Ioan Gruffudd who superbly conveyed the complexities of Wilberforce's character, Michael Gambon,Rufus Sewell,Benjamin Cumberbatch, and Romola Garai with a superb cameo of the reformed and redeemed slaver, John Newton, by Albert Finney.Balance was given by recognition of the important role of Oloudaqh Equiano played by Youssou N'Dorr.However, some historical license was taken in order to create dramatic effect.This included the Duke of Clarence sitting in the House of Commons and James Fox,one of the greatest orators and reformers of the day, giving the final paean of praise to Wilberforce when in history he had already died.
Never mix politics and religion we are told, yet the film does it successfully by embellishing the issue with a real wit and humour.The power of the film lies to a great extent in its understatement which makes it very British and it will be interesting to see how well it does in the States.The deliberately diverted visit of MP's and their consorts to the moored slave ship was a metaphor of this. The power of the misery was conveyed without it being completely thrust in the face. The final tribute to Wilberforce was another notable example of the power of the use of a few chosen words rather than many.
The film was both moving and inspirational. In this era of the quick fix, it reminded us, as do the lives of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu,of the importance of never giving up in the fight for a more just and humane world. Evil prospers when good men and women do nothing -but we need to do it again and again and again. There are more slaves in the world today than there were at the time of abolition and I trust this film will inspire another generation to continue the struggle.For those who want a more politically correct revisionist view of history and who cry paternalism, it needs to be emphasised that Wilberforce and his supporters took on the might of the political and economic establishment of the day and won. Yes he was a compassionate man but he was also a great champion of justice and justice above all requires that we see those who we are trying to help as equals.This is an outstanding piece of film making that does justice to the achievement of Wilberforce and his associates
Inspiring,Sensational and Emotional August 10, 2007
D. Newstead (Middlesex UK)
34 out of 37 found this review helpful
I remember seeing Schindler's List at Bournemouth and the audience standing ovation and clappping, the cheering of the last few minutes as A Few Good Men and this comes in the same collection.
With a rousing main theme tune Amazing Grace, fantastic acting from everyone including Sewell,Gruffudd,Cumberbatch,Finney, the incredible Ciaran Hinds of ROME and the always magnificent Gambon. This film is nothing short of incredible.
Starting with Gruffurd who plays William Wilberforce going out to bring the bills of slave trade abolition to court and being defeated many a time, to his life involving his father who not only wrote Amazing Grace but sailed a slave ship who had turned to god the story never loses its way. The interesting history involving William Pitt who becomes graver and graver ill adds to the emotion and political intrigue
The main part of the film tends to be in court and the nothing short of brilliant verbal shots between Gruffurd and Hinds. The last parry being so tense that you really feel as though you are in the court with them and the result makes you want to punch the air.
Now comes the one fault in that it ends too soon, I would like to have seen him become old and fight the other bills that Wilberforce was involved in bringing ahead.
IN SHORT FABULOUS. DEFINITELY ONE OF MY TOP 10 FILMS ALREADY AND AS IMPORTANT AS SCHINDLER'S LIST AND ROOTS.
 Wilberforce was great.... September 24, 2007
G. J. Weeks (London)
23 out of 25 found this review helpful
I had been looking forward to seeing this ever since the film came out but I regret to say I was disappointed. Ioan Gruffudd was better than I expected as Wilberforce. My beef is with Michael Apted the director for giving such a blatantly unhistorical drama. I do not have time to list the errors but the two most blatant ones are to do with John Newton. The present tune we sing to Amazing Grace was unknown in England at that time so Wilberforce would never have sung it. Newton was not a monk plagued by guilt for being a slave captain. He was a vicar who knew God's grace and forgiveness, hence the hymn. Right from the start when a screen caption told us the British Empire was built on the back of slaves one sensed that present day (erroneous) judgment may be evident. Wilberforce was not bothered by his addiction to opium. It was the one analgesic available and he controlled, not increased, his dosage throughout his life. I do though doubt that he would have been alone with an unmarried lady, unchaperoned through the night. The production is so inaccurate I thought that the director must be American, but no, to our shame he is British, portraying a royal duke in the House of Commons, Fox erroneously ennobled and still there to give the econium on Wilberforce in the hour of triumph though Fox died before 1807.
It was not merely the historical inaccuracy that disappointed me. The flash backs were confusing and took away from the whirlwind nature of Wilberforce's courtship. I found the whole thing rather dull and not a patch on say, Chariots of Fire for an inspirational Christian theme. It was sympathetically done but could have been so much better. Perhaps viewer's who do not know the real story will be more impressed.
sheer excellence August 9, 2007
S. Paterson (Brighton)
17 out of 22 found this review helpful
This film was absolutley fantstic, and usually i am a harsh judge of cinema. All of the actors used play wonderful parts, adnt he script is out of this world. The world of London was presented in a dark and brooding manner which reinforced the sense of the legitimised evil that a character and his associates were fighting.
Brilliant performances amongst others were given by Ioan Gruffudd who superbly showed the complexities of Wilberforce's character, Michael Gambon,Rufus Sewell,Benjamin Cumberbatch, and Romola Garai with a superb cameo of the reformed and redeemed slaver, John Newton, by Albert Finney.Balance was given by recognition of the important role of Oloudaqh Equiano played by Youssou N'Dorr.However, some historical license was taken in order to create dramatic effect.This included the Duke of Clarence sitting in the House of Commons and James Fox,one of the greatest orators and reformers of the day, giving the final paean of praise to Wilberforce when in history he had already died.
Never mix politics and religion we are told, yet the film does it successfully by embellishing the issue with a real wit and humour.The power of the film lies to a great extent in its understatement which makes it very British and it will be interesting to see how well it does in the States.The deliberately diverted visit of MP's and their consorts to the moored slave ship was a metaphor of this. The power of the misery was conveyed without it being completely thrust in the face. The final tribute to Wilberforce was another notable example of the power of the use of a few chosen words rather than many.
The film was both moving and inspirational. In this era of the quick fix, it reminded us, as do the lives of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu,of the importance of never giving up in the fight for a more just and humane world. Evil prospers when good men and women do nothing -but we need to do it again and again and again.
For those who want a more politically correct revisionist view of history and who cry paternalism, it needs to be emphasised that Wilberforce and his supporters took on the might of the political and economic establishment of the day and won. Yes he was a compassionate man but he was also a great champion of justice and justice above all requires that we see those who we are trying to help as equals.
A must have! August 14, 2007
Rachel (Weston-Super-Mud, UK)
15 out of 18 found this review helpful
I rented this from amazon recently, and this is one film that I will definetely be buying! It is just a brilliant film, well cast and directed. It certainly makes you realize just what an incredible man Wilberforce was! It's great when they make films about the true heroes in this world. This is film making at it's best.
|
|
|
|
Copyright Thalasar Ventures | |
![Amazing Grace [2007]](http://pics.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/navbar/eBayLogoTM.gif)
