Updated 04:40 pm.EST, Sat November 21, 2009

Entertainment > Movie|Tue, Aug. 26 2008 03:29 PM EDT

Franklin Graham Among 'Billy' Movie Critics

By Josh Kimball|Christian Post Reporter

She also pointed out that while she believes the film does portray her father’s passion for preaching, more important than the passion was the calling.

“I'm not sure Daddy ever had a passion for preaching. Daddy had a calling, and he accepted that calling and faithfully followed it," she told CT.

Furthermore, though DeMoss said Franklin felt the film “completely misrepresented Bob Jones [Sr.]” in the scene where the then-president of fundamentalist Bob Jones College tells young Billy Graham that he will never amount to anything, The Charlotte Observer noted that the scene may not be so off the mark according to Billy Graham’s autobiography, Just As I Am.

“I asked for an interview with Dr. Bob in his office and told him about my discontent and my thoughts of leaving,” Billy Graham wrote in his 1997 autobiography. “His voice booming, he pronounced me a failure and predicted only more failure ahead.”

And regarding the other ”inaccuracies,” Gigi and filmmaker Bill McKay told CT that they felt Franklin was just nitpicking.

"People need to remember that the movie is fiction based on fact," said Gigi, who has seen the movie about 10 times. "Daddy was not at my birth, but who cares?" She said filmmakers were simply injecting some humor into the scene.

"Look," added McKay, "it's a movie, not a documentary. We were just trying to humanize the experience in that scene. But every step of the way, we tried very hard to be faithful to Dr. Graham's story."

In addition to Hammer, who will star as the upcoming Batman/Bruce Wayne in the new film “Justice League: Mortal,” “Billy: The Early Years” features Oscar-winner Martin Landau (Mission: Impossible, Ed Wood) and Lindsay Wagner (The Bionic Woman); as well as Stefanie Butler (CSI: NY), daughter of ex-Atlanta Brave Brett Butler; Kristoffer Polaha (North Shore) and platinum selling country sensation Josh Turner ("Long Black Train") as singer George Beverly Shea. John Carter Cash, son of John and June Carter Cash, serves as music producer and the film’s director is veteran actor/director and Golden Globe nominee Robby Benson, who many know to be the voice of the Beast in Disney's "Beauty and the Beast."

“Billy: The Early Years” was filmed in and around Nashville with a 90 percent Tennessee crew, according to the film's promoters.

It is set to release less than a month before Graham’s 90th birthday.

Pages: 12
Sort by: Newest | Oldest | Agree | Disagree
All comments on this page are subject to our Terms of Use and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Christian Post or its staff.
  • igh »
    Sun Aug 31, 2008 6:30 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

    I will tell the Truth i am not a fan of Billy Graham. I dont Trust him. There is some evidence for this.

  • Wed Aug 27, 2008 1:23 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    I'll go see it, but I admit that it does look a little "dorky," judging from the trailer, but maybe that's a good thing for our cynical culture.

    Also, it should be noted that the YouTube copy of the trailer has over 80,000 views, in addition to the GodTube 30,0000 views. So, that's a sizable number of potential viewers, for an indie film.

  • Wed Aug 27, 2008 7:43 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    I'm almost 55 years old and I can hardly wait to see this movie. I concur with Gigi's thoughts shared akin to the powerful witness of her Dad's true "CALLING".

Please help us to monitor our message boards by flagging comments that are unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, libelous, hateful, or racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable.
Contact Us if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
Comment on this story
ID Password

Don't have a Christian Post ID? Signing up is easy. Click Here

  • icon1
  • icon2
  • icon3
  • icon4
  • icon5
The Christian Post reserves the right to terminate the account of any User who violates our Terms of Use.
Also on CP
Advertisement
Advertisement
CP Shopping
  • Jewelry
  • Gifts
  • Health
  • Music
  • Coins

Bracelets | Chains | Crosses | Earrings | Gemstone |

Featured contents & Giveaways
Joolwe :
Cross-pendant necklace
Bethany House Publishers

The second book in the Seasons of Grace series will be available soon. The Missing is filled with mystery and family secrets, love and loss, heartbreak and healing — all wrapped

Featured Advertiser Links