“Amazing Grace,” the big-budget film that traced the life of abolitionist William Wilberforce, won Most Inspiring Movie of 2007 and Best Movie for Mature Audiences at the 16th annual Movieguide Faith and Values Awards on Wednesday in Beverly Hills, Calif.
The film stars Ioan Gruffudd as Wilberforce, a member of Parliament who fought to end the slave trade in the 18th century British Empire.
The historical drama from Samuel Goldwyn Films beat out other nominees including “Bella,” “I Am Legend” and “Spider-Man 3” among others.
It was awarded the $50,000 Epiphany Prize, sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation, which provides $100,000 annually to films and television shows that reflect a “dramatic increase in either man’s love of God or man’s understanding of God,” according to the Web site for Epiphany Prizes.
Usually I shy away from movies which win awards from groups with causes or with axes to grind. But the fact is that Amazing Grace was absolutely terrific– romantic, emotional, colorful, evocative of the era, and full of driven, quirky and fascinating characters. Whatever it delivers to those who support great causes, it nevertheless delivers great entertainment (for me the bottom line in judging any movie).
Amazing Grace, the movie, has its share of historical flaws, but overall it did a good job of both entertainment and message. Wilberforce is a model we very much need in the AC today. And it is worth the effort to learn the issues and movements beyond anti-slave trade for which he provided leadership and to which he brought success. His feast day if mostly ignored–but it celebrates his general role as “conscience of his nation.” We could use such a man these days.
I greatly enjoyed the movie. In a similar vein, I also loved Amistad.