by Faith Draper

Created on: November 18, 2010

“Facing the Giants” is a wonderful inspiring film if you are facing trials in life and feeling much like Job yourself, it reaches out to non-believers, and is refreshing clean entertainment.

Grant Taylor, played by Alex Kendrick who also co-wrote and directed the movie, is the football coach for the Shiloh Eagles. In his six years as coach his team has never had a winning season and Coach Taylor’s job is in jeopardy. Add to this he and his wife face the problem of not being able to have children, their house is falling apart, and their only form of transportation has major problems.

The Coach doesn’t give up though and cries out to God for help. When he receives a message from an unexpected visitor Taylor guides his football team in a new direction which leads to the players strengthening their trust in God and several other ‘surprises’.

The theme of trials and tribulations and trusting in God’s power and prayer goes beyond problems Coach Taylor and his wife Brooke (Shannon Fields) are facing. From the players on the team to the other coaches to team parents ‘Facing the Giants’ presents some strong characters and the variety of problems they face in life.

Strong Christian themes throughout “Facing the Giants” include some very inspirational and emotional prayer scenes and many bible references. One of my favorites is when Coach Taylor uses scripture from Nehemiah (building a wall) to motivate the team’s defensive line.

I wholeheartedly enjoyed “Facing the Giants” but have to admit I watched it a second time with even more enthusiasm after learning the story behind the film. One thing you may notice about the movie is the lack of ‘famous people’. The reason is “Facing the Giants” was produced by a church, Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia where Alex and Stephen Kendrick are both associate pastors.

With nothing but a little instructions on ‘how to film a movie’ the actors, screenwriters, directors and producers were all unpaid and unknown in the filming industry. Grossing over $10 million at the box office and being the best selling Christian DVD in 2007 the church obviously did a spectacular job with “Facing the Giants”.

For a great movie you will want to watch over and over ‘Facing the Giants’ gives examples of how trusting God and the power of prayer relates to all aspects of our daily lives and is a must see.

More Information:

Rating: PG for some thematic elements
Release: Sept. 29, 2006
Genre: Family, Drama
Story By: Alex and Stephen Kendrick
Director: Alex Kendrick
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Films, Destination Films

You can find more information at the “Facing the Giants” web site.
http://www.facingthegiants.com/

Sherwood Baptist Church
2201 Whispering Pines Road
Albany, Georgia, 31707
http://sherwoodbaptist.net/

Normally you will see a book published and then a movie made based on the book but not so in this case the movie came first and then the book by the same name if you prefer reading:
Facing the Giants Novel by Alex & Stephen Kendrick
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (September 4, 2007)
ISBN-10: 1595544321

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