Our team was invited to see a rough cut of the upcoming film To Save a Life (official site, IMDb listing) today courtesy of Jim Britts, the writer and producer of the film (there’s a connection to Saddleback – he was a volunteer here years ago). It was a great chance to see this promising movie way early in the process, the final version is due to arrive Fall 2009. The film is the brainchild of Jim and New Song Community Church just down the road in Oceanside, California.
First off, I have to admit – I’m usually one of those guys that thinks, “argh – a Christian movie?” but this time I was totally and pleasantly surprised. While the version of the film we saw was 2 hours long and far from complete, I was excited to see the most realistic portrayal of student life so far in Christian filmmaking. In fact, I hope the producers in the final months of post-production can even turn it up a notch further.
To Save a Life is the story of Jake Taylor, star athelete and ladies man. His life is perfect and popular, but that ideal life comes at the expense of his childhood friend Roger Dawson. Roger takes his own life in a tragic school shooting that sends Jake’s life spiraling out of control and sets the stage for his last few challenging months of high school and a journey that will change his life forever.
There are some laughs (including the senior pastor vs. youth pastor scenes, which might not make the cut in the final edit), some poignant moments and multiple powerful messages that I think will speak loudly to teens. Easily my favorite scene of the entire film was the sequence where one character narrates his MySpace poem written the night before his suicide. The film flashes moments of genuine brilliance, and the multiple storylines all lead to a satisfying ending. Youth pastors – this is a film that has some great messages and has great potential to be seen in small groups or in a service. While it has some doses of reality in it we might typically shy away from in a church setting (the film is looking PG-13 in its current form for thematic images), it is shown when story-critical and is tastefully done.
I’ll go on the record now and say while Christian film-making still hasn’t fully arrived, this is a giant leap forward from the typical fare and I’m absolutely excited about it’s potential. To think much of this came from a church is absolutely astounding. The producers should be intensely proud of their work, I hope the projects finds a distributor and the last pieces come together in the next few months.
Watch the trailer, see behind the scenes photos and maybe catch an advance screening it at the PDYM Conference (I’m passing the idea along to the Group Conference as well). Stay tuned for this film to open in theaters in Fall 2009.
JG
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Josh Griffin has been in youth ministry for 15+ years and serves as the High School Pastor at Saddleback Church. [
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Geoff Stewart serves the Jr / Sr High School Pastor at Peace Portal Alliance Church in Surrey B.C.
Any idea when the movie will be released? I’m definitely taking our students to it.
i think this is sooo exciting!! though the media loves to downplay christian movies, i love when they surprise everyone and end up doing really well in theaters. when fireproof came out last year, a couple in my church rented a one of the rooms in a theater for a bunch of us to watch it together. just being able to gather with fellow believers to support a movie that promotes God was really cool. i hope this movie surpasses everyone’s expectations and touches so many lives. i can’t wait to see it!!
Hey thanks for sharing this. It looks like it could be a pretty good movie. I’m looking forward to it.
As a football player I really enjoyed “Facing the Giants.” Sure, it was a bit cheesy and the acting wasn’t Hollywood, but there were a lot of cool messages that you could pull out of it.
Steven Crowder here. I played “Doug Moore” in the film.
I just wanted to say, that I’m so happy to see such great feedback from you guys. It makes us (the cast) know that we took part in something special. I pray that it reaches many people, and that you all enjoy the final product.
Thanks again and God bless!
Hello all! I’m from New Song Church and I am proud to say that Jim Britts is my youth pastor. The movie is amazing. Took hours upon hours of filming and many extras(including myself). DVD’s gonna be a must buy. Look forward to Spring 2009 for the release.
God bless. Keep this movie in your prayers so that it may impact the lives of many troubled teens.
I saw on one of the posters that it’s going to be released in early 2010.
it is to come out in Jan of ’10
The school that I go to has had a huge problem with suicide recently, so a few months ago my church got to see the premiere of this movie and it was amazing. I’m not going to give any details, but this movie made us all laugh and cry. It surprised me how moving this film was and how realistic it is. This movie is definitely worth seeing
I’m sorry but while the quality of this so called Christian film is great and the idea of saving a life is great this film does not represent a walk with Jesus Christ. It is full of compromise. It has 4 curse words in it. The values you see in Facing the Giants and Fireproof are not here. Scenes are more acted out than implied (sensuality, kissing, making out). What happened to not kissing anyone but your spouse or future spouse…the message in Fireproof? (Yes Kirk Cameron had his wife flown in to body double for that kiss in Fireproof). A youth in this film cusses in front of the whole youth group and the youth director tells him that is the coolest thing he ever witnessed….Yeah, I’m NOT taking my teens to see this.
Oh also though it mentions Jake’s “transformation” and they Baptise him in the ocean, you never see him ask Jesus to be his savior, The movie never mentions that is required and a part of your change, just an implied believing in God and trusting in God. Watered down diluted polluted faith in my opinion.
the movie is gonna come out in january 2010 every ticket dat is sold the money is gonna be used for the afraican jungle….my english teacher nd her husband are the authors of the book.
Just saw this film courtesy of Outreach Media, Intimate Life Ministries and Commited.net. We were told it is due out on January 26th, 2010. The quality of this film was great. Great acting and production with a solid story line. As the review here notes, the themes that bring the rating to PG-13 were well done. Real life in public high schools is portrayed with glorifying it. My 18 year old son absolutely loved the film.
I have seen “To Save a Life” and it was the best faith based film I have ever seen. This is the first “Christian” film that may make it out of the four walls of the church. You will not be embarrassed to bring your unchurched friends to this film. It is a great outreach tool for those who have people in their lives who are hurting. Regarding the above comment “(the)Scenes are more acted out than implied (sensuality, kissing, making out). What happened to not kissing anyone but your spouse or future spouse…the message in Fireproof?” Although it is a noble idea not to kiss anyone but your future spouse I would assume most of us kissed someone before we met our spouse. Since the lead actor is a single guy it wasn’t really an option for him to kiss his spouse or maybe the producers would have done this too. My husband and I are very careful about what we watch and none of these scenes were shown in an offensive or gratuitous way. When the lead character (who had no church background) stood up in the youth group and said a very mild curse word the youth pastor did not encourage his profanity but complimented him for challenging the youth group to take a stand and stop being so apathetic! Everyone has a lot to learn from this film. The main message of the film is to love God and to love people more and I can’t think of a more relevant message to encourage than the two greatest commandments in the Bible! Many lives will be touched and changed through this movie!
Loved this movie..can’t wait to take my teens to it….It really hits where they are and I can take Christ followers and un churched to it and all will recieve from it…Good stuff…great work….thanks…
I saw the film this weekend with a group from my church – before leaving the pastor asked if anyone had seen it yet and the Teens group said yes, they wanted to see it again ..”it is a great Movie”.. This was a more to true life movie that I have seen.. even if you are not a christian you can get something from this movie..
I loved it, too! Glad the reactions were so positive this weekend. Super! JG
I loved the movie! It is sooo awesome! I loved the way they protrayed the Christian girl!
that movie was sooo amazing i loved it and cant wait til it comes out on dvd!! <3
To Mr. Dennis Muller,
What follows is not an attack, nor is it designed to tear you down in front of our Fellows – I write it simply because I felt your views of the movie are, while not entirely unfounded, a bit too critical. As such, I leave my full name and email for you to email me at any time you might wish it.
First of all, I find your comments to actually be mostly irrelevant. Although cussing and casual kissing are wrong, it also seems just as wrong to write off the entire message based on a few misspelled words, so to speak. What is the message of the entire movie? It’s summed up in one sentence, just like the trailer ends with – “What’s the point of all this if you aren’t going to let it change you?” Did he cuss in that scene? Yes, I believe he cussed twice. He was angry. Does that make it okay? No. But what did he say after that, after he’d gotten /everyone’s/ attention? That they ought to not go on with their lives so easily. And did they? Did things start changing? Oh yes. Oh yes, they started listening once they realized that he was serious. Did the youth pastor support the cussing? No, he actually supported why he was so angry that he felt he needed to cuss. He appreciated that He was seeing God at work in his heart.
Lastly, about the baptism. Is that absolutely correct? Not quite, sure. I admit it, I wanted to see him say the words myself. But, again, are you going to write off the entire film just because of that?
To everyone, and not just you anymore Mr. Muller, look beyond the shallow flaws of the film. Recognize what’s blatantly wrong – the teenage misconduct that represents _reality_. Recognize that. Know it so that you can avoid it. But also recognize what’s blatantly good – it implies that he accepts Christ by the baptism, there is prayer, there are blatant and personal messages for teenagers who are suffering within themselves. Recognize that too. Know it so that you can embrace it.
The God of us all, the God who created all things, our Abba Father in Heaven and also with us every step of the way, the God of Love is with you all. Know that too.
Thank you for your time, Mr. Dennis Muller.To Mr. Dennis Muller,
What follows is not an attack, nor is it designed to tear you down in front of our Fellows – I write it simply because I felt your views of the movie are, while not entirely unfounded, a bit too critical. As such, I leave my full name and email for you to email me at any time you might wish it.
First of all, I find your comments to actually be mostly irrelevant. Although cussing and casual kissing are wrong, it also seems just as wrong to write off the entire message based on a few misspelled words, so to speak. What is the message of the entire movie? It’s summed up in one sentence, just like the trailer ends with – “What’s the point of all this if you aren’t going to let it change you?” Did he cuss in that scene? Yes, I believe he cussed twice. He was angry. Does that make it okay? No. But what did he say after that, after he’d gotten /everyone’s/ attention? That they ought to not go on with their lives so easily. And did they? Did things start changing? Oh yes. Oh yes, they started listening once they realized that he was serious. Did the youth pastor support the cussing? No, he actually supported why he was so angry that he felt he needed to cuss. He appreciated that He was seeing God at work in his heart.
Lastly, about the baptism. Is that absolutely correct? Not quite, sure. I admit it, I wanted to see him say the words myself. But, again, are you going to write off the entire film just because of that?
To everyone, and not just you anymore Mr. Muller, look beyond the shallow flaws of the film. Recognize what’s blatantly wrong – the teenage misconduct that represents _reality_. Recognize that. Know it so that you can avoid it. But also recognize what’s blatantly good – it implies that he accepts Christ by the baptism, there is prayer, there are blatant and personal messages for teenagers who are suffering within themselves. Recognize that too. Know it so that you can embrace it.
The God of us all, the God who created all things, our Abba Father in Heaven and also with us every step of the way, the God of Love is with you all. Know that too.
Thank you for your time, Mr. Dennis Muller.
This movie was great. It is not a “churched” up, sanitized version of what kids lives are like today. They have all this stuff thrown on them and at them all the time. For us to sit and criticize that part of the production would have been to ask for a movie that touched those who are lost with a storyline that doesn’t exist in their reality. I’m sure the prostitutes and drunks that Jesus ministered to were not always fully clothed and spoke in ways that would offend most church people. I commend the producers of this movie for not being compelled to clean it all up.
As for the baptism part. This was so cool. I sit through all kinds of church movies that have the “sinner’s prayer” in them, which I have yet to have anyone point out to me in scripture, but there are plenty of verses about baptism relating to conversion and salvation. I honestly couldn’t believe it was in the movie but I commend them for putting it in there. Having had the priviledge of baptizing a girl in my youth group in the ocean on a mission trip that brought back many fond memories.
I hope people who claim to be Christ followers everywhere can join together in supporting this film and use it as a tool to help bring people to a relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. It’s just at tool, Jesus is the answer, let this film start the thought process and let us fulfill the great commission to teach them, baptize them and teach them some more….Matt 28:19, 20
Mike Adams
I’m 15 years old and just today rented this movie. Two of my friends have commited suicide but I never thought to turn to christ. This movie was very inspiring and I think it is by far the best movie I have ever seen. Yes, they’re is cuss words in this film..which people may seem to be against. But most people do not realize this movie is based off of teen issues and following God and it displayed that message to my friends and I very well. I loved this movie and it helped me cope with God on losing my friends to that tragedy.
My youth pastor showed us this movie. At first I thought the same thing, I didn’t have high expectations because I thought it would be cheesy because it was a Christian movie- I THOUGHT WRONG!! This movie proved excellence and it looks almost as if it’s high budget. I’d recommend every Christian teen (15 and older) to watch this movie! Great watch and very inspirational.
great movie.
shows a great story
shows that takes place even on our side and not see ourselves that
mr.muller ,
im 12 years old . even though thats young ive already been through alot with God. at the time i watched this movie me & God were not close at that moment & id been trying to get back to the way i liked it when me & God were so close i was happy at all times ! i watched this movie .. & im back on track . its so amazing how it only took 2 hours to sit there & just watch this to change a life. its all apart of life im in the 7th grade & i have alteat 5 pregnat girls in my grade ! this is LIFE . its what happens & im pretty sure that part of the reason it changed me is because i relazied .. this boy got his girlfriends pregnat BUT GOD CONTUNUED TO WORK IN HIS LIFE & STILL LOVED HIM ! no ive never had sex or anything that bad but God sees every sin equally so me lieing is just as bad as him getting his girlfriend pregnat . its reality this movie relates to manys . imagine if your were a pregnat teen & you though God didnt wont you anymore because your were pregnat & he’d never love you again .. & you watched this movie that would also be a life saver . you may think this movie is wrong BUT IT SURE HAS CHANGED MANY LIFES !