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Apted's "Amazing Grace" Shines Light On Politics

The cast of Amazing Grace includes Ioan Gruffudd (Wilberforce), as well as Toby Jones, Ciaran Hinds, Rufus Sewell, and Michael Gambon.

"Amazing Grace" is the biography of politician William Wilberforce (24 August 1759 - 29 July 1833), that struggled for several decades to end slavery in the British empire. Wilberforce was not only a British politician, but also a philanthropist, abolitionist and leader of the parliamentary campaign against the slave trade.

In 1785 Wilberforce underwent a spiritual encounter which he described as a conversion experience. He resolved to commit his future life and work wholly in the service of God, and one of the people he received advice from was John Newton, the leading evangelical Anglican clergyman. All those he sought advice from, including William Pitt, counseled him to remain in politics.

In 1787 Wilberforce was introduced to Thomas Clarkson and the growing group campaigning against the slave trade by Sir Charles Middleton and Lady Middleton, at their house in Teston, Kent, and was persuaded to become leader of the parliamentary campaign of the 'Committee for the Abolition of Slave Trade.'

"Amazing Grace" borrowed its name from the well-known Christian hymn, with words written around 1772 by John Newton.

Apted was impressed by the changes Wilberforce's efforts enforced without any bloodshed.

Apted said that filming was helped by the legacy of Wilberforce, which granted them access to many historic properties.

Joe Mettimano, World Vision's director of public policy, considers that slavery is not extinct, so movies about the subject will only help in dealing with today's slavery: "When we think of slavery, we often fail to see that millions of children and women are systematically exploited in the commercial sex trade and domestic or bonded labor, many of them trafficked across borders. These present-day activities still enslave many vulnerable people around the world, fueling what is estimated to be a multi-billion-dollar business."