“That smell....is the smell....of death.”
So says William Wilberforce, lecturing an on looking group of dignitaries while standing on a slave vessel. It’s one of the many great moments in “Amazing Grace,” a movie you probably overlooked in theatres, but should give another chance on DVD.
More on my DVD Pick of the Week after the jump…..
William Wilberforce was a member of the British parliament in the early 1800s. At the time, most of the British turned a blind eye to the slave trade. Human beings were being shipped from Africa to locations around the globe. At times, as you'll hear in the video clip above, the vast majority on the ship didn’t survive the journey. The unlucky few that did enjoyed a life in shackles, waiting hand and foot on whomever they would now call “Master.”
At a time when most politicians chose to look away, William Wilberforce took the problem head on. This would mean convincing the British Parliament to abandon the slave trade, and publicly shun other nations who enjoyed its “luxuries.”
Michael Apted directed “Amazing Grace,” which is named after the legendary hymn, and also gives some neat incite into its creation. Apted’s movie hovers somewhere between a big Hollywood take on the subject (say “Amistad”) and an after-school special. I mean that last part in a GOOD way, actually. There’s something so informative about this movie, but it never, EVER feels boring.
Ioan Gruffudd (YO-an GRIFF-ith) is outstanding as Wilberforce, a role that lets him show off much of his ability as an actor – something Mr. Fantastic of the “Fantastic Four” series doesn’t really allow him to accomplish. But “Amazing Grace” really works as a classic one-man story - one man who stood against an entire way of thinking. They threatened to take Wilberforce’s job….they threatened to take his life. But with each person he convinced, he grew stronger. As Americans we all know about Abraham Lincoln, but William Wilberforce had just as much of an impact on the end of the slave trade. Plus, Abraham Lincoln has NEVER been the subject of a movie this good. So take that, Abe.
The DVD features all kinds of extras. There’s a roughly 30 minute documentary on the making of the film and the actors take on the story. There’s also a tour of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Plus, there’s a music video. Gruffudd actually sings in the film, and he does a pretty great job at that, too. Plus, I should mention that Toby Jones is in the movie. Another sign that it’s good.
On the Leshock Value scale, I give “Amazing Grace” 9/10. I think that’s higher than I rated it in theatres, but it’s grown on me. Cut me some slack! Great movie, available at a fine retailer near you!
