Pertinence of the Film Amazing

¶ … Pertinence of the film "Amazing Grace"

The 19th century brought with it a period of progressive enlightenment. The intellectual, philosophical and social developments of the previous decade, and particularly the battle for independence and self-determination waged by the peoples of places like the United States and France, had helped to change ideology and policy development throughout the world. The British Empire would be an important part of this transition, both as the center for change-resistant traditionalism and for what might be regarded by some as radical cultural transformation. The issue of the slave-trade of enslavement would be perhaps the most pressing and hotly contested issue of the time, with an old guard of parliamentary Britons insisting on the importance and the ethical justification for enslaving African transplants and with a score of young, energetic idealists entering British parliament with the intent to eliminate the barbaric practice. This is the inflection point which is captured so well in Michael Apted's 2006 film, Amazing Grace.

Drawing its name from the remarkable and important abolitionist hymn composed by John Newton -- a featured character due much admiration according to the film in question -- Amazing Grace traces the efforts of anti-slavery figures and leaders in the British Empire during its driving to its peak of powers. The film's portrayal of William Wilberforce is an evocative demonstration of the tireless efforts of the above mentioned idealists. Channeled through this figure who our reading tells us did in fact levy a huge impact on his ambitions and on the world, the film glorified the efforts of Wilberforce and his colleagues.

To the best apparent indication given by our readings and research, this is a fair portrayal of the young man who entered Parliament at 21 years of age. Indeed, his youth and that of Prime Minster William Pitt -- who held the office at 24 -- are compelling facts which help to display the cultural implications of the changes sought. Though figures like Newton provide and indication in the film that there was a connection between the moral disposition of some in the older generations and increasingly more individuals in the younger generations. And ultimately, we are left with the positive indication that it would be the energy, boldness and moral outrage of these younger Britons that would bring about such an important change.

Indeed, the film is perhaps strongest on this point, recognizing that the individual efforts of certain key figures would be tantamount to the will to change England for the better. This is an encouraging story about the personal drive of such figures as Wilberforce and Pitt against seemingly insurmountable institutions and forces. The filmmaker's decision therefore to draw the story across twenty years of public service on the part of Wilberforce is an intelligent one. This establishes a film narrative which directly underscores the story told in our text. Here, we recognize that in spite of the efforts of many important figures both from within the African and British communities, "in the end only Parliament could abolish the slave trade." (267) to this point, it would require the lifelong efforts of individuals who were truly willing to give over their public and private lives to the cause.