Posted on 10/10/2006 3:24:23 PM PDT by GretchenM
"We didn't make this movie to make money. We want people to walk out of the theater and desire a closer walk with God."
Three years ago, the folks at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia, believed God wanted them to make a movie. Now, says a report in the Washington Post, the low budget film funded by church donations, Facing the Giants, is playing at more than 400 theaters around the country. According to the report, the movie -- whose female lead is a homemaker and male lead is an associate pastor, both with no acting experience-- has made $2.7 million in 10 days, and ticket sales were good enough last weekend to place it 13th in the box office rankings.
Homespun innovation was their hallmark, notes reporter Peter Whoriskey, adding that the filmmakers could afford only one camera. "Every one of us felt overwhelmed in every role," says Stephen Kendrick, the co-writer.
"This guy and this guy and this guy told us, 'You can't do it -- the movie business just doesn't work this way," recalls Alex Kendrick, an associate pastor at the church who wrote the movie with his brother and starred in it. "But we asked God to bless it and look with favor on it, and He did."
Once the film was done, said Whoriskey, "some distributors were uncomfortable with so many references to Jesus, but the church wanted a theatrical release and, eventually, Provident Films, which is owned by Sony, bought in, as did Samuel Goldwyn Films, which handled the distribution."
Despite the predictable savaging by secular critics, the report said "appreciative and tearful crowds...repeated over and over that the script seemed so faithful to their view of the world."
"Hollywood movies are fake," said Melissa Goodwin, 42, a sales rep. "Just a lot of cussing. That was a real movie about real life."
The theme of the film -- that God answers prayers -- is based on what the Kendrick brothers claim has really happened in their area. "We didn't make this movie to make money," Alex Kendrick said. "We want people to walk out of the theater and desire a closer walk with God."
Brandon Gray, the president and publisher of Box Office Mojo, in a statement that reflects the magnitude of the film's success, noted that it is rare for an independently made, non-studio movie to open at more than 100 theaters -- while Giants opened on 441 screens.
Thanks for the ping.....we'll be looking for it.
I was amazed the night we went to see Facing the Giants that 3 of the previews had to do with Jesus! I am looking for ward to the Queen Esther movie as well as The Nativity. Thanks again!
It was a wonderful, inspiring movie with excellent photography, editing, sound tracks and very good acting, about high school football and yet so much more. There is something in it for every age and sex and especially those of you freepers who enjoy the game.
As to the previews of coming attractions, I had the opportunity to see both the "One Night with the King", given a thumbs up by Abraham Foxman (who hated the Passion of the Christ) as well as "The Nativity Story". The visuals on both were breathtakingly beautiful.
My husband and I rarely go to movies, but this is one that we will definitely want to see. Thanks for the post.
I saw this movie this weekend with my wife, my 10 yr. old son and his friend. The movie was awesome. I cannot recommend it enough.
While the film and sound quality isn't like a big budget blockbuster, the content is. As the movie progresses, it just keeps getting better and better. The scriptwriter did a fantastic job with continually hitting us with good feelings on top of good feelings.
God is praised throughout the movie and the action is fun to watch.
Four words for you.....GO SEE THE MOVIE
I would tell you more, but I don't want to spoil anything.
It did not come to either of our small town local theaters. Do you know when it will be out on DVD, because I will surely buy a copy. Thank you very much.
I just saw it this past weekend at the regular theater. Should be awhile before it gets to DVD status. When it does, I'm buying it.
I got a Family Christian Stores sale catalog in the mail the other day. It shows that Facing the Giants is coming to DVD on January 30th. If you have FCS in your area, check them out because they are running a DVD pre-buy special: Buy the DVD for the sale price of $19.97 (regularly $24.99) and get the soundtrack ($13.99 value) for free. FCS always overprices its DVDs, but with the sale price and free soundtrack, this deal should surely beat whatever Wal-Mart or Target has to offer. My catalog's prices on most items are good through December 2nd; it doesn't say if the same date applies to the Facing the Giants pre-buy, though.
I can't wait to see this movie again!
Thank you very much for your kind consideration. I went to their website and placed my order.
Great! Enjoy it. I've got to get on the ball with that, myself. :o)
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