Wednesday, February 21, 2007

World of Good, Amazing Grace Style

Preface: Weclome, Googlers! I've seen lots of traffic lately from folks Googling William Wilburforce. I'm hoping that if you look somewhere else for William Wilburforce information that you also check out the series of posts that I do called The World of Good. It's got lots of inspiring tales of good deeds that go unreported. You can find the full list here. And now, on with this entry from our World of Good...

Welcome to another installment of the World of Good (WOG) here at The Scratching Post. Today we bring to your attention a historical figure who will be the central character in a movie opening this weekend. His name is William Wilburforce and the movie is Amazing Grace. William Wilburforce was a prime mover in the abolition of slavery in England.

The film's website has a great deal of reference material on the man, his work and the situation at the time. Here's their synopsis of his life.

William Wilberforce was first elected to the House of Commons at the age of 21 and dedicated the rest of his life to leading the fight to abolish slavery. Though he was chronically ill and his anti-slavery bills were repeatedly rejected by Parliament, his courage and passion to abolish injustice led him to be referred to as
the “conscience of Parliament.” He also worked to collect evidence of the crimes of the slave trade, collected 390,000 signatures to support his cause, and relentlessly crafted anti-slavery bills. After almost 20 years of leading the British abolitionist movement, Wilberforce wept tears of victory when the slave trade throughout the British Empire was finally abolished in 1807. Because Wilberforce also believed in reforming the larger society, his good works included prison reform, fair care for prisoners of war, improving hospitals and the lot of the poor, the prevention of cruelty to animals, and societal reforms in India and around the world. But his passion to abolish slavery always came first.
Here's the trailer for the movie.


Glenn Murray, a religious blogger, points out how the song Amazing Grace came from the abolitionist movement in England.

Wilburforce became convinced that slavery was absolutely wrong in God's sight. With the support of the men he met with, Wilburforce worked for over 45 years on the abolition of slavery. First he got bills passed which made it illegal for Englishmen to engage in the slave trade; eventually, he convinced the Parliament to make it illegal to own slaves. John Newton, formerly a ship captain who hauled slaves to the New World and the writer of the hymn "Amazing Grace,” is one of the men who came out of this movement.
In a world where political activists compete to turn us against their opponents through half-truths and distortions, and where religious people are sometimes painted as crazed zealots trying to create a theocracy here in America, it's worth spending some time reinforcing the great good that has come from people of faith.

It's not just activists, but the entertainment industry as well. Religious people in films are often portrayed as narrow-minded bigots, pedophiles and charlatans. Here's one where the person of faith is a flawed man striving to bring about a greater good.

The movie opens this weekend in a small number of theaters. If it does well, it will expand to more. If it does not, it will close sooner and the world will be a poorer place. Stop by their website and see if there's a theater near you.

WOG visitors come by the hundreds, but virtually no one ever leaves a comment. If you see the movie and want to drop a small note about what you thought of it, feel free to leave it in the comments here.

For a complete list of our WOGs and the reason why we WOG in the first place, please stop by this post.

H/T: Jeffrey Mark for the YouTube video link.

24 comments:

Heather in Beautiful BC said...

The song and the title were enough for me to go have a look! I've given you a mention :) Hope you get LOTS of comments.

Anonymous said...

I just came from the movie and thought it was one of the best I have seen in a long time and one I would not be ashamed to take my 90 year old mother or 11 year old granddaughter to see. Truly a must see for all ages!!!

J. Stephen Conn said...

I just got back from a Sunday afternoon matinee of "Amazing Grace" It was literally the best film I have seen in years. When the movie ended I was wiping the tears from my eyes, and most of the others in the crowded theater seemed to be doing the same.

Go see it!

Anonymous said...

Charlie in Mesa, Arizona. This was an excellent movie. Thought provoking, entertaining and made for a very uplifting evening. We wished more of our friends were with us. They will all be encouraged to go see this movie.

Anonymous said...

My sister and I saw this movie tonight.Rather small crowd, sadly, because the movie is very well done, and motivational.It reminds us all how very important it is to care for the oppressed of the world, not to become weary of well doing. After movie was over, a few people started applauding, and then a few more, until all in theater were clapping. Go see this movie-you won't regret it.

Two Sisters in Texas

Anonymous said...

Amazing Grace takes the audience up a level in understanding the times and political reality of the days of slave trading. The artwork and skill of the writer, cast and crew covers difficult historical material in a believable English world at the end of the seventeen hundreds. William Wilburforce's journey of life, faith, and career is beautifully portrayed and dramatically entertaining. A movie to see more than once.

Anonymous said...

My husband, 15 year old daughter, and I just got back from seeing this movie this evening. Our older daughter had recommended it to us. It is a real winner! We plan to buy it when it comes out on DVD. Ioan Gruffud is wonderful as Wilburforce, and Michael Gambon is a delight. We would recommend this movie to anyone!

Anonymous said...

I liked all the scenes in parliament. I enjoyed trying to figure out how parliament works, and will most likely do a little more research to find out. Those scenes emphasized the importance of oratory skills in leading a country, in expressing moral conviction to a governing body.

How are we doing in that regard lately?

Jimmy Six in California

Anonymous said...

My family, niece, nephew and dad alll went last night and though the crowd was scanty, everyone there was riveted...........what an inspiration this man's life is! A testament to what a force a single life can be when empowered by conviction, strength of character and zeal to do God's will. Will definately send out emails to all my friends to GO NOW! We need more movies like this!

Anonymous said...

Many of my friends and I are anxious to see the film but it is not available in our county. The closest theater where it is showing is 75 miles away. If it were available in our area we would pack the theater.

Here's hoping it is available later.
I will buy the DVD for sure.

Anonymous said...

My husband and I just saw the film and gave it a resounding "excellent". Thought provoking and more than a gentle reminder how much good can be accomplished by one person who perseveres.

Anonymous said...

I agree with J Stephen Conn. It was a fabulous movie. I came away with tears of joy! The whole audience clapped! Bravo.

Kate
CT

Anonymous said...

This is a very good movie, if a bit hollywoodish and the acting was excellent. I was glad I went.

It is indeed a good reminder not to give up on a cause. I was struck by his resistance to wasting more lives fighting the Americans(a parable for our time).

Note also that the British managed to abolish slavery without a civil war.

Anonymous said...

Dear Folks:

This is one of the BEST MOVIES I have seen in a long, long time! Inspiring, true human drama, EXCELLENT acting by all - breathtaking cinematography - beutiful musical score - I encourage everyone to take their friends and families and go see this movie!

Anonymous said...

One of the best movies, ever. If only Hollywood would make more like this, perhaps more people everywhere would be inspired to good deeds rather than evil.

Anonymous said...

Fabulous movie--should be a required part of the curriculum in all secondary schools. A thinking person's film!

Anonymous said...

Excellent movie! I was impressed by the tenacity and fortitude of Wilburforce in the face of overwhelming odds. The people he fought weren't evil, just totally self absorbed in financial self interest with blinders as to the human consequences. In the case of slavery, this equalled "evil." The metaphor for our lives today in relation to our environment, health care and other issues is significant. "Amazing Grace" is a "must see" movie.

Anonymous said...

The movie was absolutely not what I thought it would be. It was outstanding and ever so timely. After a week of a college women's basketball team and African American leaders standing up for what is right over Don Imus's racist remark, I found the movie uplifiting and a wonderful reminder of the courage it takes to stand up for what is right. Thank you, thank you for opening my eyes and mind again to continue to stand up for what I believe. I didn't go to see the movie, Borat, because I thought it was wrong to mock anyy group of people.

K T Cat said...

Claire,

Thanks so much for the kind words! I'm so glad you enjoyed the movie.

Anonymous said...

Just got back from seeing the movie, and thought it was very good. Since it was limited release, we had to wait for it to come to our area, and when it did, it was in the least comfortable theatre in town. Quite a good crowd tonight, I was glad to see.

Anonymous said...

I saw it.

Excellent

I was so overwhelmed that I wanted to, and still do, add the wilburforce name to mine:

William Wilburforce ____ _______

probably wouldnt be that presumptious as probably not many Americans have heard of him-----but what a powerful name and the righteous use of it by him.

Anonymous said...

Saw the movie, and i think it is a MUST for all students at school to see. Very good history lesson.

Kathryn's Jewelry Designs said...

Just saw the movie on DVD. The message of the song and of the lives of these people certainly should still resonate today. I will be making sure that my grandchildren will be seeing this. It is important that we all understand that godly people have been forces for good throughout history - that there were many who stood for right even against seemingly insurmountable odds. I want them to know more about the good we may do as well as understand the depths of evil of which we can all be capable if we do not guard our hearts and at least for me, keep my eyes on God and off of myself.

Kathryn Houseman Lobert

The deac said...

Just watched the movie Amazing Grace on DVD. It is a compelling story of determination in the face of great odds, a remarkable story of faith through Amazing Grace. Wilburforce is certainly a saint of the oppressed, of the slaves he worked so diligently to free, for perseverance to follow the call of God.