Customer Reviews

Billy: The Early Years Of Billy Graham

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have to admit that I hadn't gotten this through Amazon, but from the local WallMart here in New Jersey. A friend of mine had pointed out to me thay had it on their shelves and I had quickly bought it and we watched it not long after getting home. One of the things I was greatly interested in see after the film was the 2009 sermon that was said to have been included as one of the special features. You can imagine my disappointment when I checked the special features section and the only things listed were a behind-the-scenes, and a trailer. What happened? I was going to get a copy of this film for a friend's father who is a great fan of Mr. Graham. He would have been ecstatic to know there would have been a sermon on the dvd. I'm glad I had checked the special features before sending him out a copy.

If you are a fan of Billy Graham and don't care if there's a sermon of his included, then buy this movie. Run, don't walk to get it. You won't be sorry you did. If you're hoping for some inspirational words spoken by Billy himself in a taped sermon... then don't bother. Box says it's there, but it isn't.

I, too bought this beautiful movie at my local Wal*Mart for just $9.00! I sure got my money's worth, even though there is no sermon included, as was promised. That was a big disappointment!

I have Billy Graham's biography in book form so I knew about his early years. Still, it was fun to watch on the screen. The acting was wonderful! I had never heard of most of these actors so I was very surprised at how good they all were. Martin Landau, Jennifer O'Neil, and Lindsey Wagner were great, as always.

Billy Graham, the man, is a true blessing to all Christians and even non-Christians the world over and it's about time a movie about him was made. I just hope the rest of his life will be covered through film someday. And I hope it's not too far ahead!

In this day and age when it's so difficult to find something the entire family can watch, Billy, The Early Years is a gem to stumble across. In fact, I am going to be taking my DVD copy to church for a Family Movie Night real soon.

Thank you, Alice Kane

Background:

William Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr. was born on November 7, 1918 to William Franklin Graham I (1888-1962) and Morrow Coffey (1892-1981). He grew up on a dairy farm near Charlotte, North Carolina. He was raised in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. However, it was only when he attended a series of revival meetings in Charlotte which were led by evangelist Mordecai Ham in 1934 that he truly accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. He was 16 years old.

He attended Sharon High School until May 1936. He then went attended Bob Jones College (Tennesse) for one semester before transferring to the Florida Bible Institute in 1937. It was here that he received his calling to preach the Gospel. Subsequently in 1943, Graham graduated from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois with a degree in anthropology. In August of that year he also married his classmate Ruth Bell (1920-2007). They had five children together. While attending this college, he became pastor of the United Gospel Tabernacle and also had other preaching engagements.

Storyline/Presentation:

This movie is unfolded by the recollections of Billy Graham's early mentor in the ministry, Charles Templeton (Martin Landau). These two men became very good friends as they ministered the Word together. However, at the end of World War II, as Templeton views the images of the Holocaust, his faith in God starts to diminish. Hence as Graham starts to be more well recognized and established, Templeton, turns his back on his flock and takes up a secular position instead.

This film obviously, is not your typical 'white wash' Christian movie, but it delves into the heart of man, and their frailties. No punches are held back, in doing so, we begin to comprehend how some ministers of the Gospel fail and do not finish their race successfully.

Conclusion:

This film appears to be a true reflection of the early years of Billy Graham, however, without some background information you may find it difficult to follow the story along. I feel that the producers could have lenghtened the film a bit so that the reasons for his college transitions could have been presented more clearly.

I absolutely love this movie about Billy Graham. I was moved deeply throughout the film and was reminded of the simplicity of the gospel. Thanks be to God for sending His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins - and that by FAITH we are saved. What a glorious message. Sadly, as in Billy's younger days, so it is today - there are those who dismiss the gospel as fairy tales, while attempting to scapegoat from their sin. Nonetheless, God's Word is ever true. Seek God and live.

Rented this movie and liked it so much that I bought it so that I can show it to others.

We enjoyed watching Billy: The Early Years of Billy Graham. The young Billy was appealing and charming and funny and real. What God did and is doing through his life is amazing and teaches all of us that with faith and conviction a simple life can have world-wide and eternal impact. The movie was a good depiction of that.

I saw this in the theater in October 2008, yes 2008. That's 18 months of waiting for this to come out on DVD and FINALLY it's here! Great movie and I will definitely be buying it!

"Billy: The Early Years" is a wonderful movie about the childhood and the call to the ministry of Dr. Billy Graham. The producer has accomplished a great work to inform the millions of viewers who always wanted to know how this ministry began. The movie is a delight to view.

The story of Billy Graham could have been written better. Besides having profanity in it, there was too much time focusing on the courtship between him and his wife.

Love the man , his example and this movie. This culture and way of life has always been under attack from without and within. I think the flags on the moon are a testimony to the christian nation we once were. These people who loved the Lord were the core of the 1000 year leap.