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Amazing Grace

Play trailer Poster for Amazing Grace PG 2007 1h 56m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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68% Tomatometer 122 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
In 18th-century England, House of Commons member William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd) and his close friend and a future prime minister, William Pitt (Benedict Cumberbatch), begin a lengthy battle to abolish Great Britain's slave trade. Though Wilberforce's legislation is soundly defeated in 1791, his growing affection for Barbara Spooner (Romola Garai) inspires him to take up the fight once more.
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Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace

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Critics Consensus

Amazing Grace is your quintessential historical biopic: stately, noble, and with plenty of electrifying performances.

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Critics Reviews

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David Fear Time Out Sep 22, 2007
2/6
It's neither amazing nor graceful. Go to Full Review
Peter Bradshaw Guardian Sep 22, 2007
2/5
A decent cast under Michael Apted's direction does its best, but it's dull, naive and dramatically inert. Go to Full Review
Nathan Rabin AV Club Sep 22, 2007
B
Apted's unexpected crowd-pleaser is inspirational, but also surprisingly entertaining. Go to Full Review
Joanne Laurier World Socialist Web Site Sep 2, 2020
Amazing Grace fails to explain the different social interests lined up against slavery, for many of whom, manufacturers and others, the question was hardly a moral one. Go to Full Review
Kaleem Aftab The List Nov 3, 2018
2/5
Alas, the subject matter is far more interesting than the execution... It's a film bogged down with staid dialogue that reeks of horse manure. Go to Full Review
Adam Hochschild The New York Review of Books Aug 23, 2018
In a year that offers the occasion for a deeper and richer look at British slavery and abolition, it is a pity that artists of the caliber of Michael Apted and Steven Knight lent their talents to a tamely traditional and misleading film. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Bridget A @RT28137108 3 days ago Amazing Grace: The Untold Story on Angel Studios, and it really touched me. One of the most powerful moments for me was March 21st, when Newton was caught in the storm and cried out to God for help. Seeing him pray in the middle of that fear and uncertainty reminded me that sometimes our hardest moments are what bring us back to God. His slavery experience was deep. It showed me how easily people can be stripped of dignity and treated as less than human. Then there was the mosquito scene, which seemed small at first but showed how much Newton's heart had changed. He began to see suffering differently. My biggest takeaway was that no one is beyond redemption. Newton's story reminded me that your past may be part of your story, but it doesn't have to be the end of it. Grace can completely change a person's heart and direction. After watching the movie, I hear the Amazing Grace song differently. The words feel much deeper when you understand the life and transformation behind them. See more Steve C @RT19610513 Sep 7, 2026 Misconception 1: this movie was about the origin of the song Amazing Grace. It is about how slavery was abolished in the British Empire. Misconception 2: Chris Tomlin's song Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) is featured in the film. The song was released ~2 years later but featured scenes from the film in its VEVO MV. See more Blake- N @PBSAniDom Apr 30, 2026 Amazing Grace is a genuinely enjoyable film that makes for a fun watch from start to finish. It has a warm energy, strong performances, and a sense of heart that keeps it engaging throughout. Even when it leans into its more familiar beats, it still feels easy to connect with because the film is so earnest and well put together. What really makes it work is the overall charm. The story is uplifting, the pace moves well, and there is a comfort to the way everything comes together. It is the kind of movie that may not try to be flashy, but it still leaves a solid impression because it is made with care. Overall, Amazing Grace is an entertaining and worthwhile watch. It is not perfect, but it is definitely a fun film with a lot to like. 7/10. See more Angie S @MonTexan Feb 7, 2026 Wonderful & beautiful movie, should have the highest ratings of any movie. Great lesson. See more thiago s @Thiagostone Jan 16, 2026 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more e11e T @RT83150167 Jun 26, 2025 Pure white wash with a layer of gloss on top. See Kehinde Andrew's analysis of this film in his book 'White Psychosis'. See more Read all reviews
Amazing Grace

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 18th-century England, House of Commons member William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd) and his close friend and a future prime minister, William Pitt (Benedict Cumberbatch), begin a lengthy battle to abolish Great Britain's slave trade. Though Wilberforce's legislation is soundly defeated in 1791, his growing affection for Barbara Spooner (Romola Garai) inspires him to take up the fight once more.
Director
Michael Apted
Producer
Edward R. Pressman, Terrence Malick, Patricia Heaton, David Hunt, Ken Wales
Screenwriter
Steven Knight
Distributor
Samuel Goldwyn Company
Production Co
Roadside Attractions, Samuel Goldwyn Films
Rating
PG (Thematic Material|Mild Language)
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 23, 2007, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$21.2M
Runtime
1h 56m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS
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