This film has been described as stolid ("too many parliamentary speeches"), but I would rather say "old fashioned". It is very much a reprise of the earnest 1940's style of biopic exemplified by "A Song to Remember" (about Chopin) and "The Al Jolson Story". Michael Apted as a director tends to produce poetic documentaries (the Seven-Up series) and prosaic feature films ("Enigma", and even his Bond effort "The World is not Enough"). Here, though there is a literate script from Steven Knight ("Dirty Pretty Things"), the story doesn't come across as well as it might, partly as a result of tinkering with the timeline (1797 to 1783 to 1797 to 1806).

More crucially, we really don't know at the end how William Wilberforce managed to turn round the opinion of those who mattered on the Slavery Question, though we get glimpses of his tactics. We meet some of his supporters, like Thomas Clarkson, a clergyman of revolutionary tendencies, former slaver John Newton and ex-slave Oloudaqh, and the clever Chancery lawyer, James Stephen. They are obviously very committed, but there has to be more to it. Who collected the 390,000 signatures on the petition produced in Parliament? One gets the impression that anti-slavery was a mass movement and Wilberforce, brave and resolute as he may have been, was just the toff who kept on introducing the anti-slave trade bill in the House of Commons - a toff whose subsequent career did not show him to be a friend of the working man.

As the toff in question Ioan Gruffud is just fine, though he's so reluctant to touch his lovely sweetheart Barbara Spooner (Romola Garai) that one marvels that he has so many descendants. The lack of love scenes is probably attributable to the policy of the producers, the Anschutz film group, of keeping their films G or PG. Apparently such films make more money than MA or, horrors, R movies. Anschutz is controlled by a Colorado billionaire of conservative inclinations and evangelical beliefs.

On the basis of this film, the protagonists of slavery were not terribly smart. The thrust of Wilberforce's attack was not so much on slavery itself as the deplorable conditions under which it was conducted. If the slavers had cleaned up their act and accepted a bit of regulation they could have gone on for another 50 years. Instead they just bribed MPs, who eventually had to support abolition to get re-elected.

One pro-slaver featured in the film is William, Duke of Clarence, who later reigned briefly but not too badly as William IV (1830-37). In reality quite a handsome man who had spent 10 years in the Navy, he is portrayed here by Toby Jones as a malevolent dwarf obsessed with gambling. Anachronistically, but for dramatic purposes, he is shown as a member of the House of Commons (William did threaten to stand for the Commons once; his father George III bought him off with a Dukedom, remarking "I well know it is one more vote added to the opposition.").It is true, however that he opposed abolition, having West Indian sugar interests himself..

The role of Wilberforce's old school friend, the child prodigy Prime Minister William Pitt (who became PM at 24), played with feline charm by Benedict Cumberbatch is rather intriguing. Publicly, Pitt had to be very cautious on the slavery issue, but he and Wilbers are shown as very matey indeed in private, running around the lawn together in their underwear. The effect of casting stud-muffin Ioan Gryffud as Wilbers leads the viewer to wonder whether they might be something more than just good mates – something they may have missed back in Boulder, Colorado.

There are lots of fine performances here including Nicholas Farrell as Wilber's cousin Henry Thornton, Rufus Sewell as Thomas Clarkson, Michael Gambon as Charles James Fox, and especially Albert Finney as John Newton, the ex-slaver turned Evangelical Anglican priest and composer of hymns. (He not only wrote "Amazing Grace" but also "Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken" which somehow finished up with Haydn's music for "Deutschland uber Alles").

Wilberforce in fact only got to first base in the abolition of slavery; his 1807 Act merely prevented transportation of slaves in British ships. It was not until the year of his death 1833, some time after he had retired from public life, that slavery was abolished (more or less) in the British Empire. The British taxpayer picked up the tab to compensate the slave owners for the loss of their property - 20 million pounds (at least a billion in today's money). The slaves got nothing.

The idealist William Wilberforce (finely played by Ioan Grufudd) along with Rhomas Clarkson (Rufus Sewell) and a group of anti-slave trade maneuver his way through Parliament, endeavoring to end the British transatlantic trade that would lead to a great victory . Wilberforce helped by his lifelong friend and future P. M . William Pitt (Benedict Cumberbatch) will fight to get their purports for social justice . Wilberforce encounters the inspiration in newfound love interest (Romola Garai) to rejuvenate the battle with new ideas . After many attempts to bring legislation forward over twenty years, he is eventually gets a bill being passed through Parliament in 1807, in which abolishes the slavery the British empire forever.

This is a bicentennial tribute to William Wilberforce and his parliamentary bill abolishing the slave trade . Thought-provoking and moving film dealing with interesting issues , including fidelity to historical accuracy and detailed moral battles . Ioan Gruffudd is good as obstinate , romantic parliamentary member who battles relentlessly injustices ; he does a dignified portrayal about a great man . The prestigious cast shows their awareness of the contemporary impact about the brooding themes and are allowed to step out of period detail . Special mention to Benedict Cumberbatch as his lifelong friend Prime Minister William Pitt and N' Dour realizing an enjoyable portrait of an ex-slave . All of them are quietly upstaged by Albert Finney as a repent , remorse ex-slaver . The motion picture was marvelously directed by Michael Apted , he's director, producer of several successes such as ¨The word is not enough¨, ¨Gorillas in the mist¨ , ¨Class action¨, ¨Nell¨, ¨Enigma¨ , ¨Chronicles of Narnia II : The voyage of Dawn Treader¨ among others . Rating : Above average and worthwhile seeing , the whole family will enjoy this film .It's a very likable biography and enormously appealing for students and scholars . Overall this is a really nice movie . If you are familiar with the history then you will like this splendid film .

This is a biopic well based on historical events , adding more details over the largely described in the movie are the following : William Wilberforce (24 August 1759 – 29 July 1833) was a British politician, philanthropist, and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. A native of Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, he began his political career in 1780, eventually becoming the independent Member of Parliament for Yorkshire (1784–1812). In 1785, he underwent a conversion experience and became an evangelical Christian, resulting in major changes to his lifestyle and a lifelong concern for reform. In 1787, he came into contact with Thomas Clarkson and a group of anti-slave-trade activists, including Granville Sharp, Hannah More and Charles Middleton. They persuaded Wilberforce to take on the cause of abolition, and he soon became one of the leading English abolitionists. He headed the parliamentary campaign against the British slave trade for twenty-six years until the passage of the Slave Trade Act of 1807. Wilberforce was convinced of the importance of religion, morality and education. He championed causes and campaigns such as the Society for Suppression of Vice, British missionary work in India, the creation of a free colony in Sierra Leone, the foundation of the Church Mission Society, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. His underlying conservatism led him to support politically and socially repressive legislation, and resulted in criticism that he was ignoring injustices at home while campaigning for the enslaved abroad.In later years, Wilberforce supported the campaign for the complete abolition of slavery, and continued his involvement after 1826, when he resigned from Parliament because of his failing health. That campaign led to the Slavery Abolition Act 1833, which abolished slavery in most of the British Empire; Wilberforce died just three days after hearing that the passage of the Act through Parliament was assured. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, close to his friend William Pitt.

Most people probably have vaguely heard of William Wilberforce without knowing too much about his life. The power of his story, and the power of the central issue (the abolition of slavery), carries this movie that veers from artful to clumsy.

The movie can be confusing, as it moves back and forth between phases of Wilberforce's life. Often I found myself wondering for a few moments, "When is this?" Also, much of the political intrigue has to be inferred, since the backgrounds of the various players - particularly Wilberforce's adversaries - are not adequately explained.

However, the performances are quite good, some bordering on excellence. Some might argue that the villains are too simplistically presented, but on an issue like slavery, it is expected that the opposition would be completely unsympathetic (just as Nazis are rarely presented with any hint of sympathy).

I am sure the writers took some liberties with history. By the way, the tune we now associate with the hymn "Amazing Grace" did not become the melody for John Newton's famous lyrics until after Wilberforce's death.

I just watched this movie at a private screening for attendees of the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC (clergy are a natural audience for this movie). The reception was favorable, but this was an audience for which the moralizing of the story would naturally resonate. I'm not sure it will attract a very broad audience - this is a movie that may well find its niche on DVD being shown in high school history classes and at church gatherings.

It is a nice, historical, period piece. It is (largely due to subject matter) reminiscent of "Amistad", with similar pacing.

Should you see it? It depends on whether you like this TYPE of movie. If this genre (historical drama) interests you, this is quite well-done. It might even inspire you to read more about Wilberforce. Go see it. If you are in search of movies that teach lessons about good values and perseverance in fighting for what's right, go see it.

But if you have no idea when the French Revolution occurred relative to our War of Independence, and if it doesn't come naturally to you to remember that the newborn U.S. was allied with France against Britain during that period - and if you don't care - this movie might not be your idea of a fun time.

If I were the producers, I would add one of those "scrolling text" historical introductions to the film before final release, though it is probably too late.