Albert Finney, Alex Blake, Benedict Cumberbatch

William Wilberforce led efforts as a member of Parliament in 18th-century England to end slavery and the slave trade in the British empire. Wilberforce was elected to the House of Commons at 21 and to...( read more  read more... )ok on the issue of slavery, successfully assembling a diverse coalition that went up against the most powerful men of the time.

Flixster Users

85% liked it

49,151 ratings

Critics

71% liked it

116 critics

PG, 1 hr. 51 min.

Directed by: Michael Apted

Release Date: February 23, 2007

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DVD Release Date: November 13, 2007

Stats: 5,270 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (5,270)


  • November 13, 2009
    A story that rightfully deserves recognition for it's place in history and opens the eyes of those who do not realise exactly what people went through during the slave trade years.

    Both storyline and cast were worthy enough in the making of a great film, however admittedly, I ...( read more)did find myself losing concentration in parts, despite the story being of great interest to me.
  • October 1, 2009
    A fantastic cast and some great acting, informative and well structured....just a bit too schmaltzy and sentimental though. Shame really, as the story is incredible, it just could and should have been better!
  • August 4, 2009
    well made production that tells an important story, but it cudda been a better movie.
  • March 8, 2009
    A very touching and moving biopic based upon the life of William Wilberforce and his lifelong fight to abolish the slave trade in England. The acting and costuming were absolutely brilliant and the cinematography was beautiful. The story itself is interesting, gripping and insp...( read more)iring. The switching between time periods was a bit distracting, but overall this is very good film.
  • July 11, 2008
    incredible and inspiring. brilliant acting and moving story telling of the life of william wilberforce. a story that all should know, and a movie that all should see.
  • November 17, 2009
    A simple, Masterpiece Theater-ish film, but earnestly acted by all involved. Ioan Gruffudd was particularly good. The movie basically made me want to learn more about the real life William Wilberforce, which is not a bad thing.
  • November 16, 2009
    It really met my expectations. I met the work of Benedict Cumbebatch and I enjoyed each scene between Ioan Gruffudd and Romola Garai besides I learnt a little bit of english history.
  • October 26, 2009
    From what I saw it wasn't that good.
  • October 5, 2009
    Not as good as I expected. However the actor?s portrayal of the real life characters was good. The storyline was slow and heavy at times. Interesting though.
  • September 26, 2009
    A man who must fight the courts of England to abolish slavery & never gives up.

Critic Reviews


September 22, 2007
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

A good -- and important -- story, not always well told. full review

February 23, 2007
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

A detailed, affecting biography of one of the great souls who moved humanity forward. full review

February 23, 2007
Kyle Smith, New York Post

Amazing Grace isn't quite an accurate title for this entertaining history lesson, but no one will ever write a song titled 'Amazing 20-Year Period of Parliamentary Maneuvering to End Britain's Role in... full review

February 23, 2007
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

It's a doughty movie, stuck halfway between Masterpiece Theatre and Classics Illustrated. full review

February 23, 2007
Pete Hammond, Maxim

An inspirational, moving and wonderfully well-told story that comes to the screen at just the right time. full review

February 22, 2007
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

Amazing Grace is a case of good works done well...[an] admirable historical drama. full review

February 22, 2007
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

[Apted's] picture, openhearted and enthusiastic, is partly an ode to Wilberforce and partly a love letter to the simple act of taking action. full review

February 22, 2007
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

A stirring and still relevant political drama with a stellar cast. full review

February 20, 2007
David Edelstein, New York Magazine

Michael Apted's Amazing Grace is a beautifully chiseled blunt instrument. No, it's not subtle, but how subtle was slavery? full review

View more Amazing Grace reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • bolthmannn3
    March 20, 2008
    OMFG, i HATED THIS MOVIE. I fell asleep in the first 5 minutes then got woke up when the dude started rambling on in the council, then i went to sleep again, i kept begging my parents to let me leave, but they are complete TRUE STORY FANATICS. I SERIOUSLY HATED THIS MOVIE.

    never going to see it again.
  • GymNetic25
    January 18, 2008
    I really thought this film was going to be more powerful than it actually was. The film itself had a powerful message but didn't have enough scenes to invoke an emotional response for the plight of the slaves. It more had a sterile political point of view throughout the whole story. Most of the parts were a bit slow and trying to be something it just wasn't capable of being. If you like high political drama than this is the film for you. 3 stars
  • dizzycat3
    December 7, 2007
    This movie was brilliant. Ioan Gruffud deserves an Oscar for his interpretation of Wilberforce, and the costumes and settings were superb! It was witty, inspiring, tragic... and at the end, I had tears in my eyes!
  • Ursrut
    July 13, 2007
    i'd love to see this.
  • rovingbat4bcr
    June 18, 2007
    n my home town this movie was given 4 sessions only. at the last session it was used as a fundraiser by a local Leukemia quest entrant and she managed to get nealry a full theatre (about 500 people). It was an inspiring movie and well done. The flashbacks were not intrusive and the cast were just spectacular. I will certainly be putting this one into my DVD collection
  • kjillipino
    May 2, 2007
    i am glad this inspiring movie was made so well.
  • lisa3351
    April 18, 2007
    This was very moving...I'm glad I saw it...Ioan Gruffudd shows his versatility in making his character "real". Certainly different from the Fantastic Four movie...
  • cor132003
    April 15, 2007
    Great previews can't wait to see it
  • dinoblaster21
    April 14, 2007
    Well the film was good, but throughout the film, Ioan reminded me of someone from somewhere. Maybe its a TV show or another film. But i just distracted me from the good film i was watching. Does anyone know who it reminds me of?!
  • adnorelane
    April 5, 2007
    It was an excellant film! Very inspirational. Nice, clean, healthy entertainment

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Amazing Grace : Watch Free on TV


Amazing Grace Trivia


  • What was the main characters name in the 2007 movie "Amazing Grace?"   Answer »
  • In the movie "Amazing Grace" William Wilberforce kept trying to end the slave trade for many years and succeeded. He then spent the rest of his life with his wife and kids, being too old and tired to continure making the world a better place. He died in 1833 and was buried in Westminster Abbey   Answer »
  • Who played William Wilberforce in the movie Amazing Grace?  Answer »
  • What 2007 movie has this tag: line Behind the song you love , is a story you will never forget ?   Answer »

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