Facing the Giants

Movie Info

Genre(s): Drama

Written by: Alex Kendrick
Stephen Kendrick

Directed by: Alex Kendrick

Release Date:
Theatrical: September 29, 2006
DVD: January 30, 2007

Running Time: 111 minutes, Color

Origin: USA

Summary

RATING: PG for some thematic elements

Starring James Blackwell, Bailey Cave, Shannen Fields, Tracy Goode, Alex Kendrick, Jim McBride, Tommy McBride, Jason McLeod, Steve Williams, Chris Willis, and Ray Wood

A new, action-packed, family-friendly drama about a high school football coach who draws up a new game plan for his team… and himself. In his six years of coaching, Grant Taylor has never had a winning season. Even the hope of a new season is squelched when the best player on his Shiloh Eagles decides to transfer schools. After losing their first three games of the season, the coach discovers a group of fathers are plotting to have him fired. Combined with pressures at home, Coach Taylor has lost hope in his battle against fear and failure. However, an unexpected challenge helps him find a purpose bigger than just victories. Daring to trust God to do the impossible, Coach Taylor and the Eagles discover how faith plays out on the field… and off. (Samuel Goldwyn Films)

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What The Critics Said

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What Our Users Said

Vote Now!The average user rating for this movie is 4.0 (out of 10) based on 73 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Jared C gave it a9:
Josh Rosenblatt for Austin Chronicle says it all, but the movie truly is inspirational, and powerful, its the best football movie I've ever seen. A must see, do not skip this. It is sappy but very emotional, even more sad than Extreme Makeover home edition. Its very influential, so do not judge this movie on how boring it is, because it is, but its excellent.

Kazushi S. gave it a10:
Very pleasantly suprised. Not a big budget production, but go in with the proper expectations, and you will be pleased. Uplifting.

Keith B. gave it an8:
While I will concede with others who said the acting and some technical elements were flawed, I believe also that this film targeted a specific audience - and it nailed it! Secular critics, and - shall we say - the "unchurched" will never get this film but will scratch their heads over its overwhelming popularity with people like me. I grew up seeing typical "preachy" Christian films and endured them into early adulthood. I have since learned the value of films like "Star Wars," "A Beautiful Mind," and, yes, "The Departed." This story moved my wife and me to tears as we watched it at home. I will be forever grateful to God and to the Sherwood Baptist Church for crafting a story that is so emotionally true and spiritually uplifting. What an awesome achievement!

Jared B. gave it a10:
A really good friend of mine recommended this movie to me. I am so glad she did. Not only was it one of the best football films I have ever seen, but it also presented a very straight-forward Christian message. This movie had it all- a moving story, great acting, and football. My only complaint is with the MPAA. Why would you give a movie that has no objectionable material a PG rating? If you ask me, this movie needs to be re-rated and given a G. Anyway, pick up this movie as soon as possible. Trust me, you will find it well worth your time and money

Ian W. gave it a10:
Terrific, highly entertaining. Every movie doesn't have to be a high budget hollywood production to be taken seriously and enjoyed by families. This movie achieved just that. Our family loved it. Wish there were more like it.

Jon K. gave it a3:
Viewing this movie, you are immediately aware of the low budget via the poor lighting, acting, editing, etc. However, I have to give it credit in that it did a good job on a very limited budget. The story itself, while predictable, is fairly entertaining if you set aside the ridiculous plot and reality. One item that stands out for me is when the coach gets a new car and he claims "God gave me a new car!" I guess we shouldn't think about the fact that it's a polluting and gas-guzzling V-8. Clearly, the movie is looking to cater to a particular audience. I also have problems with the idea of God really caring about a small town high-school football game outcome - any sporting event for that matter. Also, the overall impression that if you pray hard enough, your dreams will come true. Tell that to parents who have lost a child to cancer, war or an accident. It's religious propaganda. And no, our founding fathers would not be proud, they believed in separation of church and state.

Allen N. gave it a7:
This is an enjoyable inspirational film with a good storyline and a strong Christian message. The actors won’t win any awards but that’s not the point of this movie. It does a good job of demonstrating the use of Christian principles in the struggles we face. My only real criticism is how everything comes together in the end as God fixes all the problems. This might be a bit misleading to those not familiar with the Christian faith and are looking for answers in a movie.

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