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'Amazing Grace' called inspiring, informative

By GAIL HOLLENBECK
Published March 3, 2007

OCALA - Amazing Grace, the British period-piece named for a favorite hymn by John Newton, opened in theaters last weekend.

It is being endorsed by numerous Christian organizations as a Christian film.

As with its offering last fall, Facing the Giants, Samuel Goldwyn Films has produced a film that presents a strong Christian message. This time Goldwyn joined with Bristol Bay Productions to tell the story of William Wilberforce (1759-1833), an evangelical Christian who acted on his beliefs while serving as a member of the British Parliament to end the slave trade being practiced by his country.

On his BreakPoint radio program, Chuck Colson of Prison Fellowship recently lauded the film for its good example and devoted several programs to talking about the movie and its subject.

"At the most basic level, to speak of Wilberforce is to speak of biblical world view in action," Colson said. "All of us would do well to take (friend and political ally William) Pitt's words to Wilberforce to heart: Surely the principles and practice of Christianity lead not just to meditation, but to action. This is part of the spirit of Wilberforce, a spirit we would do well to rekindle in our day."

Plugged In, a movie review site by Focus on the Family, also found the film to be inspirational.

"This stirring bio-pic may well change the sad fact that most Americans don't know who William Wilberforce was - or how he struggled for two decades to abolish the English slave trade," said its review. "Newton's song Amazing Grace serves as a metaphor for Wilberforce's life ... (He) concludes that he's called to serve God and others by shaping public policy, saying, 'God has set before me two great objects: suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of society.' "

Ocala residents Gary and Linda Robinson attended the film's matinee last Saturday. They found the Christian message of the film to be what they liked best about it.

"It was a lot more than I expected because I did not realize how relentless Wilberforce was and how God used him," Mrs. Robinson said. "Newton's influence on Wilberforce was evident throughout the film. Knowing that the song Amazing Grace was written by a slave trader who realized his sin and repented and became a preacher was what I like most about it."

Gary Robinson said he could find nothing negative about the movie.

"I found the film totally inspiring, informative and entertaining," he said. "With all the inappropriate and immoral material playing at the theater, it was refreshing to find a movie that was appropriate for all ages and had a hero of the faith as the main character."

Colson would agree.

In a review quoted on the film's official Web site, www.amazinggracemovie.com, Colson called the film a "brilliant and powerful presentation of one of the most moving moments in modern history. William Wilberforce is the model and hero of my life. I was thrilled to the bone watching this 'amazing' movie. No Christian should miss the film."

[Last modified March 2, 2007, 23:42:28]