IOAN GRUFFUDD - AMAZING GRACE HITS TOP TEN

IOAN GRUFFUDD's latest movie, AMAZING GRACE, has only managed to make number ten in the US box office this weekend, with the low-budget RENO 911 among those taking the higher spots.

Gruffudd teamed up with British director MICHAEL APTED for the film, which is a powerful biopic of famous Hull-born reformer WILLIAM WILBERFORCE and the abolition of the slave trade.

However, the top ten finish for the weekend is still a good achievement for the movie, having had a limited release across the US.

The film follows the life of Wilberforce, an MP from Kingston-Upon-Hull, England, who strived to abolish the slave trade across the British Empire with impassioned speeches and unswerving commitment during the 19th century.

And the movie's release was timed with the 200th anniversary of the end of slavery in Britain, although the US did not abolish the practice for a further 60 years.

AMAZING GRACE is due to open in the UK next month, to coincide with the day the Slave Trade Bill passed through parliament, with celebrations and memorial events due to take place in the city of Hull.

Other top ten entries this weekend included the spoof RENO 911: MIAMI, which cost just $10m (£5.9m) and is based on the popular Comedy Central TV show.