Billy: The Early Years (2008)
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56% of users liked it
(201 ratings)
He remains one of the true icons of late 20th and early 21st century evangelism. But what of his early years -- the years that led him into full-time ministry? As scripted and directed by acclaimed actor Robby Benson (The Chosen), this fact-based historical drama depicts Billy Graham (here played by… More He remains one of the true icons of late 20th and early 21st century evangelism. But what of his early years -- the years that led him into full-time ministry? As scripted and directed by acclaimed actor Robby Benson (The Chosen), this fact-based historical drama depicts Billy Graham (here played by Armie Hammer) as an earnest young man whose life is irrevocably changed via his interaction with another up-and-coming follower of God, Charles Templeton. Though fast friends, the men reach a crossroads and fork off in opposing directions when Templeton's faith buckles beneath the weight of the scientific revolution and the evidence that he perceives as an unshakable threat to Christianity. The disbelief that Templeton demonstrates, in turn, convinces Graham to take the altar call in the Depression-era South, in an effort to bring people to God who find themselves mired in agnosticism and atheism. Martin Landau portrays Charles Templeton as an old man, Josh Turner plays George Beverly Shea, and Stefanie Butler co-stars as Graham's wife, Ruth Bell Graham. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi
- Directed By
- Robby Benson
- Written By
- William Paul McKay, Jana Rutledge
- Genres
- Drama
PG,
- In Theaters
- Oct 10, 2008 Wide
- Studio
- Rocky Mountain Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
That's the real shortcoming here. A bland leading man in a movie without much of a biographical spark to it makes for a dull sermon indeed.
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Josh Larsen, LarsenOnFilm
...a biography picture of the patronizing saint variety.
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Peter T. Chattaway, Christianity Today
Hammer does a credible Graham impression, but if the script isn't up to snuff, none of the other stuff matters. And this particular screenplay is nowhere close to that.
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Cast
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Armie Hammer
as Billy Graham
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Stefanie Butler
as Ruth Bell Graham
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Kristoffer Polaha
as Charles Templeton
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Josh Turner
as George Beverly Shea
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Jennifer O'Neill
as Reporter
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Lindsay Wagner
as Morrow
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Martin Landau
as Charles Templeton (Older)
- Cliff Bemis
