About a month ago in church, my pastor used a clip from the new movie "Amazing Grace" to illustrate a sermon point.  The boys and I were sucked into finding out exactly WHAT movie the clip came from, since we are huge Iaon Gruffudd fans. (Yes, the boys loved him in Fantastic 4, but even before that we went crazy over him in the A&E Horatio Hornblower films.)  Once I found the website for Amazing Grace, and saw what the movie would be about, I was committed to seeing it.  Then all the publicity came out from organizations and individuals I respect--organizations that don't normally recommend movies to their members even.  I was even more intrigued.

So yesterday, we diverted from the planned school day and I even let Josh cut out of his Chemistry Co-op class early so we could go see the first showing of the movie. Now, I realize I am an absolute sucker for a period piece.  And in the past I could have been accused of being somewhat easy to impress when it comes to movies (although that changes more and more as age and being refined by God's Word make me more discerning), but everything good I heard about this movie was completely accurate.

The movie was well cast, and superbly acted.  It did a wonderful job of taking a story which could have been somewhat boring (Who wants to watch two hours about a political career?) and turning it into a fascinating story.  The characters were well developed and showed men of conviction and character.  It gave the viewer great insights into the time period--everything from clothing, political climate, customs and the horrors of slavery. But the thing that impressed me the most was the very character of Wilberforce.  In an age when superheroes with their quick rescues and daring feats dominate the fantasies of little boys, I was thrilled to say to my boys,"Here is a real hero.  He acted on his convictions, worked hard to fight for what he believed was right, and did not give up on it, even though it took him his whole life and cost him his health to realize his dream."  I also appreciated that the movie clearly communicated the effect of Wilberforce's faith in his political fight against slavery.

There was nothing flashy about Wilberforce.  In the end, he probably wouldn't have even taken credit for leading the fight against slavery in England.  Yet his persistence and conviction changed the world.  Oddly enough, this movie showed so many of the arguments made to justify slavery--arguments made today to justify abortion, euthenasia, the deterioration of moral excellence in the arts, and many other issues.  It gave me a chance to challenge my boys to seek out the mission that God had for them, and to fight for it until it was won.

Oh, that my three boys could be men like William Wilberforce!  Well, I'll keep praying!