Saw this film on DVD at the weekend, and I would recommend it 100% to this group if you have not seen it. It tells the story of William Wilberforce, his friends, and their fight (which came from their deep seated faith) against slavery.
It is good to see a film which takes Christian belief seriously, and doesn't try to play it down for the audience (as the film version of "Shadowlands" does, even more than the TV version). Ioan Gruffudd gives a wonderful performance as William Wilberforce, and Romola Garai is also marvellous as his wife, encouraging him to take back the battle one final time after many defeats.
There are other characters from the story, well portrayed and vividly brought to life. Benedict Cumberbatch plays Pitt the Younger, Wilberforce's political mentor, who wants him to see that faith need not mean retreating from the world, but engaging with the world, and who cannot openly support the anti-slavery lobby, but as Wilberforce's friend, engourages him from the start. Nicholas Farrell plays Henry Thornton, Wilberforce's friend who helps him though his continual bouts of illness.
But the two characters who stand out, both because of their portrayal, and because of the people they portray, are Youssou N'Dour as the freed former slave Oloudaqh Equiano and Albert Finney as John Newton, Wilberforce's spiritual mentor.
One of the reviews I read summed up this film for me:
It's not really a "feel good" movie; it transcends that status. It's really a "do good" movie. You almost feel personal empowerment from the story, like you want to go out and change some social injustice yourself!
If you have missed it, please try and see get it on DVD to watch!
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