Amazing Grace [DVD]

If you love this film you will also like 'They don't want us here' by Kevin Watson. You can buy it on Amazon only. It is based on a true story set in England where the author has gone through his own middle passage. It makes painful reading while reminding us that little has changed where racism is concerned! You owe it to yourself to get this book if you enjoyed .The scenario:The writer has kept diaries on his experiences while living under Bromford Housing Association. What could only be described as a slow psychological hanging where each day he was subjected to harassment, which finally led to arson attempt on his life and property by his white neighbours. The racism he experienced became tucked under carpet by Bromford Housing AssociationEventually after years of hell and endurance; he was only free from this nightmare hell because his neighbour was put into prison for nearly four years after trying to set fire to his flat. Kevin contacted the black 'Voice' newspaper who ran an article. now Bromford Housing Association had nothing to lose! how dare he contact the voice newspaper exposing this racist institution?Kevin Watson thought his nightmare was over; but it was only just beginning! Bromford had moved racist neighbours who would continue this reign of terror; but only this time; slowly torturing Kevin to the point of hopelessness, and thoughts of suicide!In the end what could only be described as provocative and racially motivated; Bromford created situations where they conspired with Kevin’s racist neighbours in which to drive him finally out of his home! In the end Kevin sandwiched between Bromford refusal to deal with the racist abuse, and threats from his white neighbours; while denial from the Staffordshire police trying to deal with the case; Kevin would end up running from his home for his dear life away from his neighbours who were using killer dogs as weapons!His mental health rapidly declined as a result of institutional racism and its’ failure in which to want to tackled it. Once Kevin left his home he thought that the curse of Bromford was left behind not realising that Bromford wanted to destroy him even if it meant lying or even breaking the law! They wanted him silenced, and would stoop to any level to see that even if it meant lying and fabrication and even falsifying police records!

One of the greatest acts of sustained brutality that has stained the history of the human race was slavery and in England, William Wilberforce, in the early years of the 19th century along with a very small number of people who shared his conviction sought to ban slavery by persuading and pressurising Parliament to outlaw it. In the beginning virtually everyone was in favour of slavery or were indifferent to the inhumanity of the trade. There were many vested interests who greatly profitted from slavery so they fought the abolitionists at every turn. Wilberforce's struggle lasted for decades at great cost to his health but his cause eventually triumphed and he saw slavery banned throughout the British Empire in his lifetime.Sadly we know that slavery still exists in some parts of the world even today and millions of people in the third world also eke out a living by working in conditions that are akin to slavery so Wilberforce's work is still incomplete. The rich countries of the western world have always greatly benefited from the cheap labour of the third world as a result of globalisation and we consume products that originate in countries where working conditions are such that they would never be tolerated in this country.The film is sensitive, absorbing and powerful and a fine account of one man's quest to rid the human race of the scourge of slavery. As it is focussed on one man it probably does not give sufficient credit to the contribution of others who were involved in the fight against slavery but this is unavoidable and should not detract from its message. Ioan Gruffudd is superb as Wilberforce and proves that he is one of the foremost young actors around, Albert Finney is moving as a sea captain haunted by the memory of his years commanding slave ships and Michael Gambon is outstanding as a politician who is converted to the cause of abolition. Michael Apted creates authentic looking settings in Parliament and in the ports where the slave ships berthed and the film is very impressive and one of his best works to date.