“Amazing Grace” has been called America’s “spiritual national anthem” and “most beloved song”.
Ironically, the song was written by a British clergyman who traded slaves.
Below is the origin story of Amazing Grace via one of my top 5 interviewer personalities of all time: Bill Moyers.
And the content is what counts!
Enjoy!
Trailer for “Bill Moyers: Amazing Grace”
Watch the full “Bill Moyers: Amazing Grace” Documentary
You can watch “Bill Moyers Amazing Grace” for free on:
- Vimeo by clicking the video embed above or going here: https://vimeo.com/467526919
- Here’s a backup I found on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKH1lkUjAgA (I think this version is from a VHS (it’s fuzzy at times). I recommend trying the Vimeo copy first.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 94/100
- IMDB Rating: 8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: na.
Release Date: September 12, 1990.
My Review of “Bill Moyers Amazing Grace”
Here’s the story behind Amazing Grace, the song that many consider America’s “spiritual national anthem” and “most beloved song”.
Directed by Bill Moyers, this PBS documentary is a melodic trip through time.
It weavers together the haunting origins of one of the most enduring hymns ever written.
But don’t worry—this isn’t some dusty, church-basement recount.
It’s a soulful exploration, led by a star-studded cast, including the likes of Johnny Cash, Judy Collins, and the mesmerizing Marion Williams.
Right off the bat, the film throws you into the life of John Newton, a former sea captain with a past as murky as the waters he sailed.
Narrated by the velvet-voiced Jeremy Irons, Newton’s story is one of those historical head-turners.
Imagine this: a man (John Newton) involved in the slave trade, writes a song that would become a beacon of redemption. It’s like finding out Darth Vader wrote “Let It Be.”
Newton’s spiritual awakening at sea, after a close brush with death, pushes him to pen “Amazing Grace” around 1764.
The film doesn’t shy away from his dark past; instead, it leans into it, showing us how even the most wretched can find salvation.
But the documentary isn’t just a history lesson.
It’s a performance piece, too. We get a lineup that would make any music aficionado swoon.
Judy Collins delivers a version of “Amazing Grace” that’s as delicate as it is powerful./
And Johnny Cash, in his unmistakable baritone, brings a gritty, earthy vibe to the hymn.
Then there’s Jessye Norman, who gives the song an operatic treatment, lifting it to new heights.
But the real showstopper?
Marion Williams.
Her gospel rendition is the kind of performance that makes you want to stand up, shout “Hallelujah!” and then immediately sit back down because you’re too overwhelmed to do anything else.
Seriously, when Williams sings, it’s not just a performance; it’s a moment of divine intervention.
Though, I still prefer Aretha’s version of Amazing Grace from the awesome “Amazing Grace” documentary.
And if you’re wondering if the film ever takes a breather, well, it does, but just long enough for an internal PBS ad to sneak in around the 27-minute mark.
It’s a bit of a mood-killer, but you’re back on track soon enough, especially when you hit the 38:30 mark.
Here, a group of women, meat cleavers in hand, belt out “Amazing Grace” as they chop meat for a BBQ. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s utterly captivating.
But the documentary isn’t just about the song—it’s about how the song has transcended its origins.
We’re taken from Newton’s 18th-century England to a Harlem boys’ choir rehearsing in Japan, showing just how universal this hymn has become.
By the time the credits roll, you’re not just thinking about “Amazing Grace” as a song, but as a piece of living history.
It’s a hymn that has been passed down, reinterpreted, and kept alive by voices as diverse as the people who sing it.
The documentary closes with Marion Williams again, her voice carrying the weight of the world’s sins and the promise of its redemption.
If you weren’t already a believer in the power of music, this film might just convert you.
In the end, “Amazing Grace” is a celebration of a song that has offered comfort to the downtrodden, redemption to the lost, and a rallying cry to those in search of grace.
It’s a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there’s a melody that can lift us up and carry us home.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc