Well, I did it. I saw the movie "Amazing Grace" today. Today the movie opened in the United States. I was privileged to attend the first screening in my city--11:30 AM. Did the movie meet my expectations? Yes, it did. In dramatizing William Wilberforce's long struggle to end the slave trade in the British Empire (finally successful in 1807, after a 20-year struggle), this movie introduces the world to one of the great Christian leaders of all time. His dedication and perseverance to rid the world of a terrible evil is a story that needs to enter the consciousness of people everywhere.
There are lots of resources available. Here is a sampling:
The "Amazing Grace" Official Movie Website has a study guide and various links, including the Amazing Change website on how to combat modern slavery.
CBN.com has an excellent series of articles that should be checked. Click here. It's hard to overstate the wealth and depth of these links and resources. One link offers a historical novelist's evaluation of the way John Newton is portrayed in the movie (pretty good on the whole). As the author of a book on Newton, she debunks popular myths concerning his biography.
Chuck Colson over at Breakpoint has published a series of short articles on Wilberforce as an example for us today. You could begin here and then also check his multiple links. This is terrific stuff.
National Review Online has a symposium with comments on Wilberforce by Sen. Sam Brownback, Sen. Tom Coburn, Charles Colson, Richard Land, Douglas Minson, Mark Rogers, and Mark Souder.
World Magazine reviews the movie here.
A fifteen year old boy, Zach Hunter, has emerged as a modern day teen abolitionist. Read about him here.
Update: 2/26/07
NRO offers a fine, intelligent review by S.T. Karnick here
Justin Taylor says the following: "The BBC recently did an on-air documentary about William Wilberforce, replete with dramatizations and interviews. You can listen to it here or read an outline of the program.
You can also read or listen to John Piper's biographical sketch of Wilberforce's life. Piper's book, as well as a downloadable audio version, is also available.
Eric Metaxas is the author of the official biography, Amazing Grace, being tied to the movie. He recently did a print interview with National Review.Focus on the Family's Radio Theatre has produced a five-hour dramatized audio production available in a five-CD set: Amazing Grace: The Inspirational Stories of William Wilberforce, John Newton, and Olaudah Equiano."
