Amazing Grace: The Motion Picture

Aye, we be writin' 'bout a slaver ship today, you scaberous dogs!

So Sunday night we sang an arrangement of Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin and it was mentioned that this arrangement (with an additional chorus) is actually going to be in a film from Walden Media. This should have cought my attention more than it did. For many of you, it did just now. For those that it didn't, I will continue the story. The rest of you will have to be patient. Patience is good. A virtue some might say. Those same some might imply that I'm pushing my luck. Sure, last week I didn't write enough, now I'm writing too much. Anyway. The film details the story of William Wilberforce who was instumental in the abolition of the slave trade in England and was a member of the congregation where John Newton composed Amazing Grace. The film was shown at the the Toronto Film Festival last week and it will premier February 23, 2007 to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the date the British Parliament voted to abolish slavery throughout the Empire. Hey, sometimes we get there first, sometimes they get there first.

So I heard about this and not making the Walden connection thought this was some nice little indy flick. Then Hugh Hewitt mentioned that he had been to Walden over the weekend and talked about who they were. Well, Walden Media was who made The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. You'd think I'dve known that. Check out this cast. William Wilberforce is being played by Horatio Hornblower himself! (He's not Reed Richards until he's in a GOOD Fantastic Four movie.) It's got Albert Finney as John Newton. And Michael Gambon as somebody or other (who is not Dumbledore). It's directed by Michael "The World is Not Enough" Apted with music by David "Tomorrow Never Dies / Independence Day" Arnold. That should be interesting.

-- Arrrgh. (Grrr.)