Amazing Grace (2006)

Sometimes a little music history goes a long way. When you look into the history of this very famous christian hymn you find it was written by a repentant slave trader in England in the late 1700s. You also find that this same poet was the personal preacher of one William Wilberforce. This Willberforce was the best friend of one William Pitt who was the Prime Minister of England from 1783 to 1801.

In part this movie is about that friendship. It is mostly about the career-spanning crusade of Wilberforce against the slave trade. See the connection? At one point Wilberforce, played superbly by Ioan Gruffudd, actually sings the hymn to his peers in Parliament.

Three cheers to the producers and director of this film for keeping it real. British history portrayed totally by Brit talent. What a novel concept. Hollywood should take notice and follow suit.

Albert Finney and Michael Gambon play the reformed slave trader and Lord Fox, both older spiritual and political advisers of Wilberforce. Both film veterans are still powerful in action.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Romala Garai round out Wilberforce's inner circle as Pitt and spouse. Many other very familiar faces from English screen and stage are present.

Bottom line, this movie tells a story of truly heroic politicians in an age of major change. As Pitt puts it early in the story, they were "too young to know what was impossible".

Watch this movie with someone who loves the song.