Iffy for 10+
Earnest drama about fervent English abolitionist.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that a former slave and a former slave ship captain describe slavery in direct, no-holds-barred language. Flashbacks and dream sequences also involve slavery. A horse is beaten in an early scene. Instruments of physical abuse -- chains, restraints, clamps -- appear on screen. Men smoke pipes, and several characters drink liquor at parties and sometimes alone. Wilberforce suffers from colitis and takes opium-based medicine to treat it. Mild language ("hell" and "damn"), plus one very pointed use of the "N" word.
- Families can talk about how Wilberforce connects his religious calling with his political career. How is his work inspired by his faith? What is the significance of the song "Amazing Grace," both for the early (and lengthy) abolitionist movement, and, later, during the Civil Rights movement in the United States? Do you think the politicians that Wilberforce was up against liked slavery? If not, why did they continue to support the practice? How is the political lobbying and dealmaking of Wilberforce and his gang similar to what goes on in politics today? How is it different?
What to watch for
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Violence: In the first scene, two men beat a horse (Wilberforce stops them); much discussion of slavery and physical abuse; Equiano shows a brand on his chest; metal torture and restraint devices inspire Wilberforce to work harder at abolition; flashback scene shows a child knocked by an explosion; Wilberforce and others describe or imagine slaves in chains and under duress. Wilberforce's poor health leads to some tense scenes.
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Sex: Wilberforce dreams of a scene in which fully clothed couples mbrace and cavort in a theater; minor flirting and kissing between Wilberforce and Barbara; she shows cleavage several times.
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Language: An overtly "bad" character uses the "N" word; other profanity is mild, including "ass," "hell," and "damn."
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Pipe smoking; several scenes show social drinking (Wilberforce disparages drinking as a sign of low morals); Wilberforce takes an opium-based medicine (laudanum).
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Excellent Film! by pebbles2489
Really powerful and moving. Well made and clean. Safe for the whole family although younger than middle school age would probably not be interested.
5
Amazing Grace by jkirk12345
I went to this movie feeling like I was dragged there by my wife. I left it feeling inspired and educated. I had not read the reviews or seen any previews andI thought the movie was about the life of John Newton, the author of "Amazing Grace". I was surprised to find out that it was about the life of William Wilberforce and the British abolitionist movement. The movie was full of depth of character and endearing humanity. It impressed upon the viewers the severity of the condition on slave ships without being too visually gruesome (an all to real possibility considering the reality of the voyage for the slaves). All in all, it is an inspiring movie about perserverance in the face of political adversity with a subtext of the role of nationalism and greed in politics. Enjoy the show!
4
AMazing Grace by hstindt1
Good story line - although somewhat misleading in the description - it is not really the history behind the writing of Amazing Grace, but the events surrounding that time period.
5
Amazing Grace by seethemovie
Great characterization used to portray historical facts! I walked out of the theater feeling inspired and refreshed, un-like many movies that leave me feeling like I could have spent the last two hours in a more productive manner! Don't watch this movie unless you want to be challenged both morally and spiritually!
4
Amazing Grace by tomj8
This is an extremely well-acted movie suitable for mature teens through mature adult age ranges. It has no negatives such as language, nudity or violence that would prevent it truly being a family movie. The early English setting and story line sometimes tends to elicit a dark mood, so for that reason alone may not meet everyone's expectations as an "entertaining" film. Nevertheless, it is a very well done character study with considerable drama that is likely to be of interest to anyone with even just a casual sense of the history behind the story. I was mildly surprised the famous Hymn of the same name didn't play more prominently in the actual story. I saw the film with my wife and teenage daughter, and we enjoyed it immensely.