Inspiring without being preachy, dark without being hopeless...well-acted and well-written.
While I still think Ioan Gruffudd was woefully miscast as Reed Richards, he's the perfect William Wilberforce.
This is one of those films that definitely deserves to be seen, and seen again.
If it's playing in your area, watch it.
[ March 10, 2007, 11:14 PM: Message edited by: Puffy Treat ]
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
No kidding. I saw it twice this week, since my son had to babysit his sister so hubby and I could go double dating with friends of ours. He wanted to see it so I took him to see it yesterday. On the second viewing, I loved it just as much. Beautifully done. The only part I thought they could elaborate on some more, since even on the second viewing, I still didn't totally get it, but it would have been nice if they'd elaborated on the way they "cheated". I got the point, I just didn't totally understand why it worked.
I loved Albert Finney. He was incredible.
Posted by andi330 (Member # 8572) on :
I enjoyed it very much as well. As to how they cheated jeniwren this is my understanding.
The original bill which was passed, which blocked the overwhelming majority of slave traders, actually had very little to do with the slave trade on the surface. The bill declared any ship running under the American Flag to be privateers or pirates. Under British law, this would allow the ships to be boarded and their cargos impounded. Since the majority of slave ships were flying under American Flags at the time, this effectively shut down the slave trade because slavery was never actually legal in the UK proper, only in its colonies. By shutting down the vast majority of slave traders through this act, the majority of the political opposition caused by the financial hardships of abolishing the slave trade would dry up, paving the way for an actual law to be written which would abolish the slave trade entirely.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Yes! Yes!
I am so glad it's out, because now I can talk to people about it. I saw it at the Toronto International Film Festival (the first audience but not the premiere, hmph) and I've been waiting almost six months for it to come out!
My first thought was "So, that was awesome" but I got the feeling like not everyone in the audience agreed. However, I thought it was such an inspiring story and very well done. I agree that Ioan Gruffudd was perfect for the Role of William Wilberforce- in fact I think in general the casting was awesome.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
My theater probably won't have this one. And I actually want to see it. I'll have to rent it, I guess.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)