Living the Wholesome Life I loved this movie! I am so thankful for people like William Wilberforce who see wrongs in society and do whatever it takes to right them. Talking points - How did William Wilberforce help change our world for the better? If you knew you could succeed what causes would you embrace and champion? What can you do to fight for a cause you believe in this year?Warning - Unfortunately there are some very low-cut dresses in this film. It's not a big part of the film, but it is there. If this movie just didn't have that I would have rated it a 10.

Irishchatter I watched this film because I thought this would be all about the well known song "Amazing Grace" and that it was a musical. However it wasn't the case at all, it was really about a man who has a goal in stopping the black slave trade in Britain. I was glad to have seen Benedict Cumberbach involved in this, this was even way before he starred in the well known TV series "Sherlock". He still looks the same nowadays lol!Then comes why I think this film was boring. The reason why it was boring because I didn't understand what the characters were gabbing on about even with a political view. It's like if you haven't an interest in politics, you are pretty much screwed because they would be using words that we normally don't use y'know.I am giving this another 2 stars as I really liked Ioan Gruffudd's performance of "Amazing Grace". He is quite a good singer for an actor, I'm just disappointed that this wasn't a great film to follow!

Katherina_Minola Well. You know how sometimes you watch a film, expecting that you will quite enjoy it – it might be a nice way to pass a couple of hours – and it totally exceeds your expectations, and eats into far more than a couple of hours, because you can't stop thinking about it? This is what happened to me when I watched this film.It tells the story of politician William Wilberforce as he moved through Parliament in a determined effort to get the British slave trade abolished. While he had some loyal friends and colleagues, they faced an uphill struggle as many politicians favoured the slave trade and considered it a necessity. Together with his friend, prime minister William Pitt the Younger, Wilberforce never gives up in his efforts.I cried throughout much of this film, because it was so incredibly moving, and ultimately uplifting to see people determined to create a kinder and better world. Wilberforce was played brilliantly by Ioan Gruffudd, who perfectly captured the man's intelligence and integrity. Benedict Cumberbatch was also excellent as Pitt, and the supporting cast contained many acclaimed actors. I liked Rufus Sewell as abolitionist Thomas Clarkson, and Albert Finney and Michael Gambon both showed off their extensive skills as respectively, John Newton who used to be involved with the slave trade himself, and was now filled with guilt; and Charles Fox, a politician who initially disagreed with Wilberforce, but subsequently came to support the abolition. Romola Garai played Wilberforce's wife Barbara, and was lovely in the role.I keep finding myself thinking about this film – it was beautifully filmed and very emotional. The scene when former slave Olaudah Equiano, played by Youssou n'Dour, shows Wilberforce around a slave ship, and Wilberforce sees with his own eyes the mistreatment and abuse that the slaves suffer, stunned me. Although I knew about Wilberforce's campaign, and the eventual outcome prior to watching, I still found myself on the edge of my seat at parts of the story.I would highly recommend this film (in fact I almost want to insist that you watch it!) It tells such an important story, and if anyone ever doubts that they can make a difference, or thinks that their efforts aren't worth it, this film tells the story of a man who can remind us just what can be achieved with hard work and determination. Wonderful. (And I have ordered an autobiography of Wilberforce – this is the kind of film that makes me want to learn more.)

blanche-2 It's always inspiring to see or read about someone who is passionate about what they believe, and act on that passion. William Wilberforce was one of these people. He fought tirelessly for the abolition of slavery in 18th century England as well as for humane treatment of animals (which is really only mentioned in the film).Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffud) was a member of Parliament who was encouraged to take up the fight against slavery in the British Empire by William Pitt (Benedict Cumberbatch), Thomas Clarkson (Rufus Sewell), and Hannah Moore (George Glen). Since this position went against the interests of trade, Wilberforce became very unpopular very quickly.Though it's a noble fight and he is able to tell about the brutality the slaves suffer, and the poor conditions under which they live, his campaign falls on mostly deaf ears. Physically ill with what we now know as Crohn's disease, eventually he gives up hope of changing anything. But basically he just takes a break and goes back to it, stronger than ever. This is in part thanks to his wife, Barbara (Romola Garai). This time he has more allies and eventually, in 1807, he wins.This is a powerful story told with great attention to the period detail and outstanding performances, particularly by Gruffud, Cumberbatch, Michael Gambon, and Albert Finney. Everyone is excellent, including Ciaran Hinds, Toby Jones, and the beautiful Garai, but Gambon and Finney to me had the showiest roles. Gruffud is awesome in the way he captures the passion that Wilberforce had, and the way he suffered physically as well as emotionally.There is some license taken in the film -- John Newton (Finney) plays an ex-slave trader who helps Wilberforce to detail the horrible treatment of slaves -- he wrote the lyrics to Amazing Grace, but the melody was not added until much later. Still, it's a very effective part of the film.Very well done and highly recommended.