Billy Graham: The Early Years: World Famous Evangelist Refuses to Endorse Biographical Film
No other Christian evangelist in history has garnered more renowned acclaim or attracted more record-breaking crowds than eighty-nine year old William "Billy" Franklin Graham. Over the numerous years of his ministry, Graham has served as the spiritual adviser to countless U.S. presidents and even landed a spot on Gallup's list of Admired People of the 20th Century. (www.gallup.com) According to a 1993 Time Magazine article, over 2.5 million people had come forward at his worldwide crusades to give their lives to Jesus Christ. ("God's Billy Pulpit": Time Magazine, 1993) That number has nearly tripled since. In addition, a 2002 poll showed Graham's audience, including television and radio broadcasts, to have topped out at over two billion people. (Cincinnati Post: "Billy Graham: A Man with A Mission", 2002) On October 10th, Solex Productions and Rocky Mountain Pictures released their joint biographical film entitled Billy: The Early Years, which is said to chronicle the early days of the world famous preacher. Directed by Robby Benson and starring Armie Hammer as Graham, the film has yet to receive the approval of the real Graham family.
During its opening weekend and subsequent showings in 232 theatres nationwide, the film grossed a surprising $192,042. (www.onenewsnow.com) Franklin Graham, the most well-known of Billy's five children and successor of his father's international ministry, viewed the film and later released a statement citing the film's lack of factual material and dramatized events in his father's life. Furthermore, Ken Barron, spokesman for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), stated, "We had nothing to do with the production of it or the making of it. Certainly people can go see it and have their opinions about it, but we wanted to let people know we were not involved in the production of that at all." (Ken Barron statement: www.onenewsnow.com) Apparently, the film does not focus enough on Graham's passion for preaching and Christian ministry and instead emphasizes less-important and entertainment-oriented events.
During its opening weekend and subsequent showings in 232 theatres nationwide, the film grossed a surprising $192,042. (www.onenewsnow.com) Franklin Graham, the most well-known of Billy's five children and successor of his father's international ministry, viewed the film and later released a statement citing the film's lack of factual material and dramatized events in his father's life. Furthermore, Ken Barron, spokesman for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), stated, "We had nothing to do with the production of it or the making of it. Certainly people can go see it and have their opinions about it, but we wanted to let people know we were not involved in the production of that at all." (Ken Barron statement: www.onenewsnow.com) Apparently, the film does not focus enough on Graham's passion for preaching and Christian ministry and instead emphasizes less-important and entertainment-oriented events.
Comments
Interesting!
A note to future readers: I was already aware of the passing of Mrs. Ruth Graham. I read that producers told her just a few months before her passing about their intentions to eventually make a biographical film on her husband. Hence, I simply wanted to note that she was not LISTED on the endorsement or support page on the film's official website. Additionally, they turned down prescreening invitations from the production company.
As Ruth Graham has passed away, I don't suppose we'll be receiving an endorsement of the film from her. :) I wonder why Billy Graham has said nothing about the film.
Very interesting - I would trust whatever Franklin Graham says about the movie.
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