Plot
The story of Sam Childers, a former drug-dealing biker tough guy who found God and became a crusader for hundreds of Sudanese children who've been forced to become soldiers.

Release Year: 2011

Rating: 6.6/10 (2,644 voted)

Critic's Score: 43/100

Director: Marc Forster

Stars: Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan, Michael Shannon

Storyline
The story of

Cast:
Gerard Butler - Sam Childers
Michelle Monaghan - Lynn Childers
Kathy Baker - Daisy
Michael Shannon - Donnie
Madeline Carroll - Paige
Souleymane Sy Savane - Deng
Grant R. Krause - Billy / Contractor (as Grant Krause)
Reavis Graham - Pastor Krause
Peter Carey - Bill Wallace
Barbara Coven - Shannon Wallace
Misty Mills - Biker Chick
Nicole Michele Sobchack - Bartender (as Nicole Sobchack)
Sidi Henderson - Shaved Head
Mike Litaker - Drifter
Judy Stepanian - Employment Woman

Taglines: Hope is the greatest weapon of all

Official Website: Official site | Official site [Japan] |

Release Date: 2 November 2011

Filming Locations: Detroit Masonic Temple, Detroit, Michigan, USA

Box Office Details

Budget: $30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend: $45,130 (USA) (25 September 2011) (4 Screens)

Gross: $531,595 (USA) (20 November 2011)

Runtime: USA: 129 min

Trivia:
Joshua Drew's debut film.

Goofs:
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): The film depicts Sam in the Allegheny County Jail, but he is wearing the uniform of a PA Department of Corrections (DOC) inmate.

Powerful, graphic, unsettling movie with a profound message of hope and human courage shown in adversity

Rating:

I went into this movie with no expectations. The title made it seem like it would be a typical action movie; all guns and brawn and little in the way of storyline but boy was I wrong. This movie, based on a true story, was powerful and touched me so much that it has prompted me to write my first film review on IMDb in over six years! This is a movie with a solid pedigree of cast behind it, it is based on the life of Sam Childers (Gerard Butler), who without giving much away, has a criminal past, finds God and embarks on undertaking missionary work in civil war-torn Sudan, leaving his loyal, loving wife Lynn Childers (Michelle Monaghan) and his young daughter Paige (Madeline Carrol) back home in Penslyvania. This movie follows Sam's juggling how his Christian faith inspires him at home and also in Sudan.

Gerard Butler has always been something of an enigma to me. In my opinion he can be hit and miss as an actor, but in this movie he gives a powerhouse performance as the emotionally conflicted and stunted Sam Cilders, someone who follows his faith and shows simple, sometimes primal humanity in inhumane foreign environments. I think this is Gerard Butlers best performance to date, he expertly immerses himself into Sam , he is so believable in this role, both emotionally, mentally and physically. The audience may find it hard to remember it is just a movie at some stages. Michael Shannon is amazing a Sam's childhood friend Donnie, a troubled soul who is another person loyal to Sam but ultimately flawed.

This is not a movie I feel will get the awards it richly deserves. Similar in tone to Hotel Rwanda, it is an inspiring story but with a sobering message. It reminded me a lot of Hotel Rwanda because it showed how one man alone with enough faith in simple humanity can make a difference. Sam Childers is not a saint; far from it, he is flawed and he has a violent and criminal side and this is evident in the movie. However he is also shown as having humanity and the fact that he decides to make a stand and do something away from the comfort of his armchair in America is testament to his character. Would the audience have the courage to do what Sam did? That is a question facing the audience as they leave the movie, along with the graphic images which will haunt the audience for a long time after seeing the movie.

There are so many powerful moments in this movie that it is hard to pin point any without spoiling the plot. This is not a movie that you should take a date along to; or anyone who is squeamish or unsettled by blood and guts. This is a movie that takes the audience in the palm of their hands and opens their eyes to the blunt reality and the truth of genocide. It is similar in that way to Hotel Rwanda but I found this movie even more graphic and unsettling in many ways. This is a movie you should watch at all costs although you may not want to see it again. It is hard hitting, powerful, emotional but most of all thought provoking.

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