

The true story of William Wilberforce and his courageous quest to end the British slave trade. Along the way, Wilberforce meets intense opposition, but his minister urges him to see the cause through.
Acting
Albert Finney's John Newton steals every scene with one milky eye.
Writing
Dialogue that makes democracy sound like actual combat.

Director
Michael Apted
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The real Wilberforce took 18 years to pass his bill; the film condenses this but keeps the 1791, 1792, 1793, 1797, 1798, 1799, 1804, 1805, and 1806 defeats. Exhausting just to type.
Released during the 200th anniversary of the actual abolition, this was essentially Britain's self-congratulatory moment—conveniently forgetting they compensated slave owners, not the enslaved.