Amazing Grace, Movie Review Example

Introduction

The Film ‘Amazing Grace’ is a historical drama set around two hundred years ago in 1807. It considers the abolition of slavery by the passing on an anti-slavery bill in the English Parliament. It centres upon the courage and moral convictions of William Wilberforce in order to end 400 years of slave trading within the British Empire.  Wilberforce being a devout Christian whose courage and moral convictions forged a new era.

Historical Accuracy

The film describes the life and works of the politician William Wilberforce. Despite the exceedingly well shot scenes in the film it contains many historical inaccuracies. This is evidenced how many characters in the film lack both substance and historical importance alongside the main character of Wilberforce.  Wilberforce is put forward as a flawless character and venerated by all who come into contact with him.  This is often proffered from a Christian moralistic viewpoint as an unsung hero. Nevertheless there was a dark side to Wilberforce as being an Opium addict and failure to push the abolitionist bill through. The character of Wilberforce is portrayed as one who deserves sympathy and support for his suffering and perseverance in the face of adversity.  (Fairchild, M. 2012)

The film retains a degree of accuracy in the portrayal of Wilberforce as a devout Christian and evangelical man. He was against the greed and power of wealth and believed in humanity and as such could not advocate the cruelty of slavery. He also hated cruelty to animals, as witnessed in the scene of a horse being cruelly beaten.  He later founded what became known as the Society for the prevention of cruelty to animals (RSPCA).

Impact of the film

The film was a powerful drama and left most viewers with a disconcerted feeling.  This mainly because of the strong imposition of reality that the film portrayed. The concept of man’s inhumanity towards his fellow man and the unconcern of human suffering in the face of greed and the need for the accumulation of wealth. It left the viewer considering how mankind could be so morally corrupt.  The film had a mission to raise awareness of modern day human slavery and the plight of human suffering that continues to this very day. The UN estimated that there are over 150 million street children and many of these get perverted into human sex slaves. (1807 Commemorated, 2012)

Personal Understanding

It is not difficult to comprehend the 400 years of suffering that slavery had on the world and how it was used to sustain the wealth of both the British Empire and the wealthy plantation and land owners in North America and the Caribbean.  The suffering continued on in the Americas and contributed towards a Civil War.  The impact of which still reverberates through elements of society to this very day.

This movie helps to broaden your understanding by provision of the wider historical context by comparison of the greed and cruelty of merchants supported by a militaristic army that worked towards the maintenance of law and order to control an empire. There was little though of humanity and tolerance when it came towards making profit and monies.  Although business today has become a lot more ethically responsible we still witness areas of injustice within the large multi-national firms.  Consider the exploitation of child labour by firms like Nike  and outsourcing to countries like Bangladesh where textiles are manufactured in slave like conditions.

References

1807 Commemorated. (2012, 1 19). Amazing Grace. Retrieved from 1807 Commemorated: http://www.history.ac.uk/1807commemorated/media/reviews/amazing.html

Fairchild, M. (2012, 9 19). Amazing Grace. Retrieved from About.com: http://www.chrsitianity.about.com/od/christianmovies/fr/amazinggrace.htm