During my first year of life, our country adopted “In God We Trust” as our national motto. Nearly fifty years later, my sons were on the Senate floor when the news came that “under God” in our pledge was under attack. Open any newspaper today and read the headlines: Atheists Sue to Remove Cross at Ground Zero, Pastor Arrested for Hosting Home Bible Study, ACLU Demands Christmas Tree Removal from School. Read stories from Todd Starnes’ Dispatches from a Bitter America. This is America today. Wake up. Our freedoms are vanishing!
The movie, Last Ounce of Courage, seeks to awaken Americans in a time of apathy and is scheduled to open on September 14 in more than 1200 theaters nationwide. Released to coincide with Patriot’s Day and the eleventh anniversary of 9 /11, it’s a stark reminder that freedom is a verb—something we must actively stand for and preserve. And it’s certainly not free.
Actor Marshall Teague poses with Director Kevin McAfee and some of the crew during the filming of “Last Ounce of Courage;” Courtesy of Veritas Entertainment
The main character, Mayor Bob Revere, is grieving the loss of his son when he finds his greatest battle is right at his own front door. As a decorated war hero, he realizes the freedoms he fought for and his son died for are eroding. From the removal of all public expressions of Christmas to the shock of his grandson’s treasured keepsake being confiscated at school–his deceased father’s Bible–Bob is driven to action. It takes a school janitor to plant a seed, hinting, “Check it out. It’s not against the law.” The innocence of his grandson’s words ignites a fire in Bob that ends up inspiring an entire town.
What does our First Amendment mean? Is it worth standing for? When are we going to realize we are the frogs in the boiling pot and leap out and do something about it? Fair warning, bring a handful of tissues as this movie reaches deep within one’s soul. If anyone can watch this movie without shedding tears and feeling moved to take a stand, then count yourself among the apathetic. Be prepared. This movie inspires freedom, patriotism, liberty, family, and faith—all wrapped up into one cinematic display.
This movie hosts an all-star cast of veteran actors including Marshall Teague as Mayor Bob Revere (Road House), former CoverGirl Jennifer O’Neill as his wife (Summer of ‘42), Hunter Gomez as his grandson (National Treasure), Nikki Novak as his daughter-in-law (The Bucket List), Rusty Boyd as the town’s police chief (Melrose Place), Jenna Boyd as Rusty’s daughter (The Missing), and former NFL star Fred Williamson (Star Trek) as the ACLU lawyer who drives the conflict.
Marshall Teague from ROADHOUSE, BATTLESTAR GALLICTICA and ARMAGEDDON is the star in “Last Ounce of Courage”; Courtesy of Veritas Entertainment
Actor Rusty Joiner, who plays Officer Greg Rogers and Actress Jenna Boyd, who plays his daughter Mattie Rogers, on the set of “Last Ounce of Courage,” Courtesy of Veritas Entertainment
Last Ounce of Courage is produced by VERITAS Entertainment. Kevin McAfee is the producer and director of Last Ounce of Courage and the founder of VERITAS. He is well-known as the Executive Producer of End of the Spear and Beyond the Gates of Splendor which brought missions to the big screen. Steve Griffin, formerly of Nest Entertainment, is the CEO and President of VERITAS Entertainment. McAfee and Griffin share a driving passion for producing projects that inspire courage, character, and conviction while promoting family, faith, and freedom. Darrel Campbell is the screenwriter and co-director. He’s formerly with Disney Productions and gave his Disney touch to this story. International television and film star Chuck Norris serves as the spokesperson for this film.
Actor Fred Williamson plays hard-hitting lawyer Warren Hammerschmidt in the film “Last Ounce of Courage,” Courtesy of Veritas Entertainment
On a personal note, I grew up in the halls of power and the cradle of freedom in our nation’s capitol because my father, Harry S. Dent, Sr., served a senator and three presidents. My father entered military and political service for the cause of freedom. I observed my father’s bold actions throughout his service to our country. After his spiritual transformation, my father entered full-time ministry, which included helping the country of Romania come to freedom after the devastating effects of Communism. Freedom is my family’s heritage. After my father’s passing in 2007, I’ve continued his fight for freedom. My father and I both eventually realized God gave us our freedoms (not the government) so we, as Christians, can accomplish God’s will our lives. Much is at stake. As Christians, we stand to lose our ability to do missions and our position as a beacon light to the world.
Actress Jennifer O’Neill plays the loving and supportive character of Dottie Revere in “Last Ounce of Courage;” Courtesy of Veritas Entertainment
If my father were alive today, he’d be the first man in line at the opening of this film. He’d rally every person he could to join him. The opening of a film and the first few weeks of sales determines its longevity and multiplication to other theaters. If you’re a freedom fighter, bring your family and friends. If you like it, promote this film through your own avenues of social media. Word of mouth is the best promotion. Don’t expect the secular media to publicize this film. Look for ways you can take a stand. As Ronald Reagan once said:
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.
I don’t want to be one of those grandparents or parents, do you? One price we pay for our prosperity is that we become so busy maintaining our comforts, our apathy paralyzes us from taking action. In this way we emulate the fictional character Rip Van Winkle who eventually wakes up one day unable to recognize the world around him. We can no longer afford to sleep our rights away! Remember, when we take a stand, we inspire others. An ounce of courage is worth a pound of change.
I caught up with Kevin McAfee as he was traveling between screenings, which began August sixth in major cities nationwide and asked him a few questions about this heart-warming release.
“Last Ounce of Courage” Producer/Director Kevin McAfee
SCH – What inspired the making of this film?
Kevin – Ginny, the movie began with missionaries Richard and Gina Headricks in Laurel, Mississippi who had a dream to put Christ back in Christmas. These bikers were visionary people who’d never made a movie. They connected with Darrel Campbell and wrote a screenplay that I believe touches the heart of America and where our nation is today.
SCH – What are you hoping viewers will take away from this movie?
Kevin – That one voice and taking a stand can make a difference. It begins with ONE man, one child, one school, one town who will stand up for the freedoms that are being taken away from us one by one. Hopefully, this movie will inspire people of ALL ages to stand for freedom and for God and country.
SCH – Considering all that’s going on in America right now and the upcoming Presidential election, is this movie calling people to political action?
Kevin – Absolutely, it’s calling them to go to standusa.com and get involved. It’s calling them to believe in what our nation was founded upon and to not just sit by anymore. We have to stand up for what we believe in and know that we can truly make a difference. Freedom for religion that allows ALL faiths to worship or even the right to not worship at all, is germane to the dreams of our Founding Fathers and our heritage as a Christian nation. This nation was founded upon God and the Bible, and even President Washington said that without these two areas in our lives, we cannot govern.
Dr. James Dobson and Veritas Executive Producer Lynn Dean Sharp discuss the movie in the home office of FAMILY TALK.
SCH – What prompted Chuck Norris to get involved in this film?
Kevin – The lead actor Marshall Teague and Chuck Norris have been close friends for many years. Mr. Norris saw the film and wept. He wanted to “do something,” so for the first time in his career, he’s promoting a movie that he’s not even in. This is a huge.
SCH – You’ve got some well-known, award-winning actors in this film. Are most of them Christians, freedom fighters, or both?
Kevin – A combination of all. Marshall Teague was in the United States Navy and a police officer when he took acting in order to catch the bad guys. He is a hero and patriot of our nation. Jennifer O’Neill believes this is the kind of movie that has a huge message and she wants with all her heart to promote the movie. Hunter Gomez and Jenna Boyd are strong people of faith. Rusty Joiner is involved in a Bible Study in LA, and he and his wife attend the same church Ronald Reagan attended.
SCH – What is the website for the film so people can find a theater near them?
Kevin – First, I want to encourage them to go to STANDUSA.COM and see how the “choir” is coming together to take a stand for freedom. They can go to www.lastouncethemovie.com and learn more. If they want to find out more about VERITAS and why we are standing for truth, you can go to www.veritasmovies.com.
Kevin McAfee with Oliver North sharing insights on the film
SCH – I sense your passion for this film and your calling in making films. Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
Kevin – If this was the last movie I ever had the opportunity to direct and produce, I believe God would have granted me a great gift. In my heart, there is nothing more precious than the freedoms we have and I believe we who make films need to take a stand. For years, I’ve been a filmmaker that happens to be a Christian. Now, I am changing that statement to being a patriot who believes in God and Country and because of my faith, I’m choosing to make films that lift up the name of Jesus unabashedly and stand for truth. I have made a commitment to make movies that are PG or G rated, because the family has been largely ignored. It’s time to take a stand, and I pray in some small way, we can impact culture with the visual language of film for family, for faith and for freedom.
Ginny, people like your dad, Harry Dent, inspired me. People like Ronald Reagan became my hero. People like my Dad became the model I wanted to emulate and as our film company continues to promote truth, we pray a community will come and join us in our crusade. We are only beginning . . .
A cross lifted to the roof of the Veterans mission in a scene of “Last Ounce of Courage”; Courtesy of Veritas Entertainment
To view the movie trailer and pass it on to others go to LAST OUNCE OF COURAGE MOVIE TRAILER
Ginny Dent Brant is a writer and speaker who grew up in the halls of power in Washington, DC. Her book about her spiritual journey with her father, Finding True Freedom: From the White House to the World was released in 2010. She is a former trustee of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Ginny and her husband Alton live in Clemson/Seneca, SC.
Click here to learn more about author Ginny Dent Brant
Want more of Ginny? Check out Lessons from Chuck Colson
[…] Costner’s stand reminded me of a movie which came out in September 2012 called Last Ounce of Courage—a must see film for all Christians today. The movie is about a small town mayor and his grandson who stand against the ACLU and bring the celebration of Christmas back to their town. When the mayor’s son is cited for bringing his Bible to school, a school janitor alerts the mayor saying, “It’s not against the law—check it out.” Many times when groups cite that something is against the law, it’s not. Many viewers reported people standing up and clapping at the end of the film just as the audience did when Costner prayed. Click here to read my article on Last Ounce of Courage. […]
I was very inspired by Last Ounce of Courage and I will do whatever I can to share it on facebook and with family and friends. It has inspired me to continue telling my success story, one by one, about what God has done in my life to bring healing, forgiveness, and peace to me. I will NOT deny that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior! Thank You, Jesus, for saving me for the remission of my sins!