From NetFlix:

Based on actual events, this historical drama from acclaimed director Michael Apted tells the story of William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd), an 18th-century English politician who fought for the abolition of slavery. Despite staunch opposition, Wilberforce waged an aggressive campaign using boycotts, petitions and slogans to bring the British slave trade to a decisive end. Albert Finney, Michael Gambon and Rufus Sewell co-star.

Worthwhile but not maudlin feel-good films can be hard to discover. “Amzing Grace” is such a jewel.

For an historical reality check please read the Wikipedia article.

England, through the efforts of Wilberforce, abolished the slave trade in 1807, a half-century before the American Civil War. Stay for the final credits which add that Wilberforce and William Pitt are buried side by side in Westminster Abbey.

Although it is eventually a feel-good film, you will be subjected to unsettling descriptions of the treatment of slaves.

In the film I saw many familiar British actors whose names I have never known. To give some of them credit, you will see:

• Benedict Cumberbatch was William Pitt. He is currently the Masterpiece Mystery Sherlock Holmes.
• Michael Gambon was Lord Charles Fox. He was Dumbledore in “Harry Potter”.
• Rufus Sewell was Thomas Clarkson. He was Alexander Hamilton in “John Adams”.
• Ciarán Hinds was the evil Lord Tarleton. He was Gaius Julius Cesar in “Rome”.
• Toby Jones was the cretinous Duke of Clarence. He was Karl Rove in “W”
• Nicholas Farrell was Henry Thornton. I will always remember him as the young runner Aubrey Montague in “Chariots of Fire”. His screen credits roll on for pages.
• Albert Finney was John Newton and IS British acting.

DO NOT MISS THIS FILM !!!!