Idealist William Wilberforce makes his way through Parliament in a bid to take on the impossible task of trying to end the British transatlantic slave trade.

(mbc.net) In 1784, 21-year-old William Wilberforce was elected to British parliament where he established himself as a politician with a conscience.

Years later, his close friend William Pitt became prime minister, and together they made a bold plan to introduce a bill banning slavery.

However pro-slavery hard-liners spearheaded a hard opposition to the legislation and Wilberforce's bill went down in defeat.

In 1797, Wilberforce left politics due to poor health and a battered spirit and met Barbara, a beautiful woman with progressive views.

Barbara encouraged William not to give up on his goal and she helped him launch a second campaign to end the slave trade.

Starring:

• Ioan Gruffudd
• Benedict Cumberbatch
• Romola Garai
• Albert Finney

Directed by: Michael Apted

Rating: PG for thematic material involving slavery, and some mild language