The movie is about William Wilberforce and his efforts to bring about the abolition of slavery. Its release today,February 23, 2007, coincides with the 200th anniversary of the date the Parliament of the United Kingdom voted to ban the transport of slaves by British subjects. He worked many years in Parliament to see this day.
The title of the movie is taken from the song "Amazing Grace" written by John Newton, a man who had formerly carried slaves on his ships. He later became a Christian and penned the words that were later set to music.
The theater was full, as I hoped it would be, and I hope it will continue to have a good showing. It's too bad that it isn't being shown in more theaters. There is certainly a movement to bring worthwhile movies to Hollywood, and this is certainly a good movie to see. It certainly has a strong Christian message, as well as telling the history of the abolitionist movement of that day.
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, Who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.
from Cyberhymnal
According to Cyberhymnal, the last verse was not in the original poem, but was added later.
13 comments:
Hi Beverly,
Glad you liked the movie, I would like to see it to,
blessings
my daughter and her Hubby went to see this movie...I had no idea it was even out...she enjoyed it but was disapointed that more people were not there...but then I felt that way about "The Nativity"...where is everybody???
:-D
Amazing Grace is one of my favorite songs. I find it to be so true and I am very thankful we have the song today. Connie from Texas
We plan to see it, too. I've heard good things. The plan was to see it THIS weekend, but the flu tripped us up. And you're right, if people want better choices in movie, they need to support them or the few out there will evaporate. Great post! ;0)
This movie is on my very short list of want to sees. The Wilberforce fellow was very young to have such a position of authority, wasn't he? Do I remember the story correctly?
I went to Blockbuster this weekend and saw hardly anything of interest, let alone value. We did rent Flags of our Fathers which was powerful. I guess Clint Eastwood will always make my day, even though he was not on camera in this one.
I will put this movie on my list of movies to watch for. A movie and dinner with girlfriends sounds like a lovely time. I think I will mention the idea to some of my friends.
The 6th verse is one of the best! So, anyway, now I have a movie to see. As for the post below, thank you for that gift. It's true that these purple days of Lent are some of the best in the Christian year. Hope you are well and enjoying this beautiful weather!
Beverly, you have a very well written, often serious, religious flavored blog. Hardly a place for me but still, I like it just the same.
I write, often, in a flippant manner. That is me but any comments I make should not be taken as flippant over anyone's beliefs or feelings. I don't do that.
Okay, introductions over, over the years I have tried to sing, alone of course, what I knew of this song. I do that with many songs.
But, with this song, I could never get past the 3rd line, I had no idea what the fourth was. Why that is, I blame on the various singers murmering the line.
It may even have been partly the frequency, lower and softer.
Now, to see how long I remember it.
I doubt I have time to learn the fifth :)
On the other hand, seeing the post about a dog's worst nightmare says this is not always serious here, either.
That's hilarious!
I love that you typed out the words to the song. It is my all time favorite of gossip songs.
Thanks for visiting my Blog, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
"Bradenton", looks like you're not far from where I am, "Lakeland".
...Don't you just love our "winter" ;) I'm glad it's mild.
I love that you've included the lesser known verses.
I really want to see this movie. We were out of state over the weekend, so I don't even know if it's in town. I think my husband would go with me, but he's so truly buried in work that I don't know when he'll find the time!
I thought I knew all of the verses to this beautiful verses, but the 4th and 5th, I've heard only a few times; the sixth, I've never heard to seen in print. Our hymnal, when I was growing up, included the others.
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