1. KaKaUA

   10

   Great movie. It's hard to believe that people like that exist. It prompted me to read up on some history, get out John Newton's auto-biography. I'm so grateful for such movies.… Expand

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2. BobN.

   8

   As a historical lesson it is an okay film. As your typical historical bio-pick/hero-saves-the-day film, it fails. Rightfully so. What makes this film outstanding, and different from most films of this nature out there, is the constant crisis-of-conscience which is present throughout. William is physically and spiritually sick since so many are dying each day within and without the ships. Newton is torn by the 20,000 ghosts of those he shipped into slavery and death. As a look into the tormented souls of these men, this is an outstanding film as one fills in the subtle gaps and emotions. This film is a Christian one, and it is very good. As a look into slave-trade, there are better ones out there, but as a look into conscience in a dangerous and new time in history, this film is outstanding. Newton was, in fact, a tormented man. Wilberforce was, in fact, a tormented man. This film, if nothing else, does a great job in focusing on this. That alone makes this different and good.… Expand

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3. AndrewK.

   6

   I thought this was a pretty average film. Not bad, not great (I guess that would leave "good" as a description, but I wouldn't exactly call it required viewing). I think most people have either given this film way too good of a review, or have been way too harsh. It's really straight down the middle. Most of the movies out right now are utter crap, so if you want to see something that is worth your time, this would be a good one to see. Some good points have been made about the lack of actual slaves in the film, and it struck me as odd that I barely noticed. I think it may have had something to do with the fact that I believed these characters to be very far away from the subject which they were addressing. I don't know if it's historically accurate, but I think their absense helped enforce the feeling that many of the men in parliament COULD be incredibly detached from the lives of those they were impacting. An inspiring film? I guess. If you haven't seen a lot of films like this before. Or if you are inspired by every single movie that sets out to inspire. It's nothing new. It IS a story that I was unfamiliar with, and I'm glad to have learned something about it, if not in great detail. All of the acting was superb. Nothing to complain about there. Sometimes the dialogue was a little too precious, but not often enough to make me gag. I thought it was interesting how they chose to end the film with Amazing Grace being played by...a band? I'm not sure what term to use. Anyway, it was different. You first see clips of all of the actors with their name and their character's names, and then you're actually watching the...band...play in front of...I think it was Westminster Abbey. And I wasn't too sure whether they were supposed to be within the context of the film, or if it was present day. But it didn't really matter. Anyway, I could take it or leave it. You should too.… Expand

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4. TimV.

   3

   I expected so much more from this film. what a fascinating story. but the process of ending slavery in a bloodless manner free of economic ruin was simply glossed over in favor of dwelling on already-overwrought relationships. there are hints at political drama, but it always comes back to running around in frilly shirts. the passage of time is unclear, and the eight arduous years wilberforce endures are underemphasized. entertaining performances can't redeem this mess of a movie.… Expand

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