'Amazing Grace': Exclusive Clip
"Amazing Grace," directed by Michael Apted, tells the story of antislavery pioneer William Wilberforce, who, as a member of the British parliament, navigated the world of 18th-century backroom politics to end the slave trade in the British Empire. The film follows Wilberforce's career through his 20s and 30s, when he and his fellow humanitarians made the issue of slavery a talking point, not only in political circles, but also throughout the country. They waged the first modern political campaign, using petitions, boycotts, mass meetings, and even badges with slogans to take their message to the country at large.
Strongly influenced by John Newton--who composed the hymn "Amazing Grace"--Wilberforce steered the antislavery cause through the corridors of power and ultimately opened the way for the abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire. His success came after decades of fighting, when parliament finally passed the first anti-slavery bill in The movie release coincides with the th anniversary of that milestone.
Ten fun facts about William Wilberforce
1. Passionate Social Reformer
William Wilberforce, a prominent British politician, underwent a dramatic transformation in when he converted to evangelical Christianity. This momentous decision had a profound impact on his life and career, as he became a passionate advocate for social reform and the abolition of slavery. His newfound faith inspired him to dedicate his life to the service of others, and he soon became a leader in the anti-slavery movement. His tireless efforts eventually led to the passage of the Slavery Abolition Act in , which abolished slavery in the British Empire.
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Advertisement2. The man who abolished the Slave Trade
For an incredible 26 years, William Wilberforce was at the forefront of the campaign to abolish the Slave Trade of His tireless efforts and dedication to the cause saw him become a symbol of the anti-slavery movement, and his legacy lives on to this day. His work was finally rewarded in when the Slave Trade Act was passed, finally bringing an end to the abhorrent practice of slavery.
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The transatlantic slave trade was thriving. Africa was torn by tribal warfare, and tribes kidnapped members of other tribes and sold them to European slave traders. Shiploads of Africans sailed around the world in the worst of conditions, and were then sold as slaves. In England in the late &#;s, few people believed the slave trade was wrong. Of these, even fewer were brave enough to speak against it. William Wilberforce was one of those few. So begins the movie Amazing Grace, the inspiring true story of William Wilberforce and his fight to end the slave trade in Great Britain.
William Wilberforce had a successful career in the English Parliament&#;s House of Commons. But then, as he puts it in the movie, God found him. William Wilberforce became a Christian. At first, he considered leaving Parliament. But then he realized God had a job for him right where he was. His eyes were opened to the horrific reality of the slave trade. His friend William Pitt, (who later became Prime Minister), Olaudah Equiano (a former slave), an abolitionist named Thomas Clarkson, and others urged him to take up the fight. Wilberforce, unsure what to do
Amazing Grace, directed by Michael Apted, screenplay by Steven Knight
Marking the th anniversary of the outlawing of the British slave trade, a new film commemorates the remarkable life of abolitionist William Wilberforce (). Amazing Grace from British director Michael Apted (The World Is Not Enough, Coal Miner’s Daughter) chronicles Wilberforce’s struggle to end the trade in the late eighteenth century.
Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd), a sensitive and dynamic orator elected to the House of Commons at age 21, is urged by his closest friend William Pitt (Benedict Cumberbatch) to champion the cause of abolishing the slave trade, as a first step toward ending slavery in the British territories. The latter notion is so completely out of the question that no abolitionist dares propose it publicly. Pitt is making a bid to become prime minister and wants Wilberforce as a political ally, at one point instructing him to “Tear the enemy to pieces.” At age 24, Pitt succeeds in becoming the youngest-ever British head of government.
In Apted’s film, Wilberforce, a devout Christian, is torn between a career in politics and a life devoted to the spiritual. He seeks advice from his mento
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