Notes from Norman

Amazing Grace - the Movie

Ann and I saw Amazing Grace this week. It's the story of the abolition crusade in England led by Wilber Wilberforce. In a day and time when Christianity is marginalized in public media, it’s nothing short of amazing that filmmakers would choose the career of a publicly professing believer, as its subject.

There’s something of a subplot that features John Newton, the composer of the song,“Amazing Grace.” In a day and time when Christians are reluctant to identify themselves with any thoughts, movements, and actions that appear to be counter cultural, Wilberforce’s story inspires courage for the timid believer.

As always the scriptwriters find it necessary to stretch historical accuracy for the sake of the story, but the basic story is true. I found it a bit disconcerting to deal with their handling of time. If I get it right Wilberforce is defending the American Revolution after it was over. The abolition struggle went on over a period of twenty years, and it’s hard to keep up with what’s a flashback and what isn’t. Wilberforce didn’t seem to age much in twenty years. They sing the song to an American tune that was composed long after Newton’s death. That’s because we’re used to hearing the American version. I wondered why they never sang the verse that begins, “When we’ve been there ten thousand years….” Later I learned that John Newton did not write that verse. Some sources attribute it to Harriet Beecher Stowe, although others claim a later composer.

The movie has been criticized for showing two many scenes of debate in the British Parliament. I thought that was one of the best parts of the show. I’m sure the way they presented the developing romance with Wilberforce’s future wife was probably contrived, but added comic relief to an intense story.

If you haven’t seen it, I would recommend it. If you are committed to viewing only movies that contain no profanity, (there was only a few words in the whole movie-Ann) you probably need to go to the video store and check out some fifties flicks. I thought it unnecessary to the story, but it did not detract from the larger message. Speaking of sound, when the movie first started I thought the theater had completely lost its sound amplification. Don’t complain to the manager because you don’t hear anything until after all the title stuff is displayed on the screen. It seems to have worked. The people around me sat in total silence. I didn’t hear anything during that time.

posted by Norman @ 5:24 PM