Journalist Bill Moyers traces the history of the enduring hymn “Amazing Grace” and talks with singers who’ve recorded some of the most famous modern renditions.

CRITIQUE

Written by a slave-ship captain who would later become an abolitionist, “Amazing Grace” has been professionally performed and recorded more than any other hymn in history. It likely won’t be lost to history anytime soon (it’ll be around for at least another couple hundred years, as Scotty will be playing it at Spock’s funeral), and will probably continue to be molded to any new musical genre that comes along. It’s inarguably more than worthy of recognition. 

What Moyers attempts to do here is provide a look at the life of John Newton, the man who composed the hymn, and explore why the song continues to inspire and impact people from all walks of life. The show doesn’t do either very well, nor does it balance these two aims very well. Newton didn’t come to realize the evil of his vocation until very late in life; he continued to be a supporter of slavery even after becoming a clergyman (which I suppose isn’t all that surprising but is still enough to make you sick). Such a life could easily serve as fodder for a terrific exposé. But ultimately all this program does is offer a brief sketch of his life, which I found disappointing. I was hoping for a more in-depth portrait of the man.

Far more time is given to people who’ve performed “Amazing Grace” in one capacity or another. Moyers speaks to Johnny Cash, Judy Collins, and opera singer Jessye Norman, and also to singers at a small southern church who perform astounding versions without musical accompaniment, prison inmates who see the song as a means of comfort, and members of a large extended family who say the spirituality that drives the song is one of the things that holds their family together.

Some of this I found interesting, some of it I didn’t. I’m not sure why both Cash and Collins are featured, as their perspectives are quite similar. The segments with the family simply don’t work, as it’s unfocused; same goes for footage devoted to the Boys Choir of Harlem, which only serves to make the choir director look like a crazed stage mother. The talks with the inmates are fascinating, as there’s a split between those who genuinely seem to have been affected by the song and those who are obviously playing to the camera.

Oddly enough, out of all the interviewees, I found Norman the most engaging; she has a rather unique take on the way she handles the song, and the footage of her performing it at the close of a 1988 concert celebrating the birthday of Nelson Mandela, during which she quickly enthralls an audience that (as she puts it) couldn’t care less about her and was there to see Dire Straits, is without question the best thing here.

Most of these Moyers sets are multi-disc affairs built around a common theme. I’m not sure why anyone thought this particular show warranted its own release. Removing it from its parent program or not giving it some sort of context only serves to underscore how thin the end product is. It’s certainly not a complete wash, but it’s nonetheless one of the rare occasions where Moyers falters.       

THE VIDEO

The show is presented in its original 1.33:1 ratio. Seeing as how it’s now twenty-one years old, I wasn’t expecting much when it came to the video presentation, but not even my modest expectations were met. The image here looks like it was sourced from a videotaped broadcast, as such video anomalies as tracking errors and scrolling scan lines pop up. There’s also some serious macroblocking and noise, particularly in dark backgrounds. The image is also soft and hazy.

THE AUDIO

Audio is presented in Dolby Stereo. All you get here is a mixture of dialogue and musical performances; it sounds okay, although it is a bit flat and tinny, showing its age in virtually every aspect. English SDH subtitles are available.

THE EXTRAS

“Pure Pete Seger” (54 minutes), a 1994 episode of Bill Moyers Journal, offers an interview with/look at the life and career of the famed folk singer.

Biographies of Bill Moyers and the featured performers are also included.

A Viewer’s Guide includes trivia, an article on shape-note singing, and the complete lyrics to “Amazing Grace.”

FINAL THOUGHT