Movie Review

Well, I don't often get to play movie critic, but today is an exceptional day. I took the offer of a pastor's only screening of a movie to be released on February 23rd. It's called Amazing Grace . It's the story of William Wilberforce who was a slavery abolitionists in Great Britain. He led a bill to parliament for many years before it was finally accepted. The movie chronicles his journey. The abolishment was sparked by a group of itinerant preachers who helped in creating a groundswell of public support for the banning of the slave trade.

This movie was filmed with top-notch English Actors. There are many faces familiar to moviegoers. This film fits the categories Historical Drama and Political Activism. This is a movie with a message. It is really trying to draw attention to the slavery issue. There are more people enslaved today than during the height of the British/West Indies/American slave trade. This movie is connected with an effort to end slavery everywhere.

One of the most interesting parts of this movie was the role of John Newton. Newton wrote the historic hymn Amazing Grace. The song makes an appearance several times throughout the movie. And it was fascinating to see the author's depiction of Newton's own interaction with his guilty past in the slave trade, and the words that he has written in the famous song.

Pastor's were invited because they believed that we would have an influence on others to see this movie. I will offer this recommendation...Go to this movie. I was shocked at how I personally responded to it. If you're weak hearted concerning the degradation of humanity (I am) bring tissues, you'll need a couple.

Fantastic movie, I'd like to go see this again in the theater. It was a great joy to see it today at Ebeneezer's Coffee House in Washington, D.C. with Matt Boyer and Jeff Man. CHECK THIS MOVIE OUT!

--Ben