Amazing Grace

William Wilberforce is powerfully portrayed in the movie Amazing Grace. Wilberforce’s unrelenting attack on the slave trade is one of history’s greatest inspirations. The movie is expertly scripted, skillfully acted and perfectly edited to create a balanced, attention holding, inspiring story that you should see.

The story also touches upon Wilberforce’s Christian faith and the inspiration of his old pastor, John Newton. Newton was a slave ship owner who accepted Christ, gave up the slave trade, and became active in the abolitionist movement in England. After his conversion, he wrote one of the most familiar hymns in history, Amazing Grace. John Newton’s hymn, testimony and encouragement were instrumental in Wilberforce’s struggle to abolish slavery in England.

Wilberforce worked incessantly against slavery, until his health gave out after he was charged with sedition as war with France took center stage. Wilberforce retired to the country a defeated man and vowed never to speak against slavery again. However, he could not remain silent, and at the urging of his new wife and after reading his old pastor John Newton’s memoirs on the horrors of slave trade, Wilberforce returned to parliament and renewed the fight.

The courage, passion, and tenacity of Wilberforce inspired me. It is impossible to see Wilberforce’s dedication without evaluating your own. It also reminded me how important it is to keep on encouraging one another because it is impossible to keep fighting against evil without the support and encouragement of others. We all need someone to help us through the discouragement and failure, especially those who seem to not need it.

I highly recommend this movie. It has not been publicized as much as most other films; nevertheless, it is one of the best movies of the year so far. This is a “must see” movie.