Utilizing his journalistic and legal training, spiritual skeptic and devout atheist Lee Strobel set out on a mission to debunk the claims of Christianity in order to save his crumbling marriage. But his journey ends unexpectedly. After two years of deep historical, scientific and archaeological research, Lee becomes utterly convinced, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Jesus IS who He claimed to be. Ultimately, he is convicted to surrender his life and his heart to Christ!
Lee Strobel’s life story is kind of film that needs to be told today. It’s the kind of film that will start conversations and stimulate questions that need to be discussed in today’s divided and torn society.
With a budget of roughly $5 million, The Case for Christ is expected to make up over half of its cost at the box office over the first weekend alone. The film is already receiving outstanding reviews from audiences and critics alike. Director Alex Kendrick (War Room, Courageous, Fireproof), whose films have together grossed over $120 million, said, “The Case for Christ is superbly made with a powerful message. It will reinforce your faith and stir your heart. It’s a great tool for evangelism and discipleship.”
Pastor Greg Laurie, of Harvest Christian Fellowship, said, “this is one of the most powerful evangelistic movies I have ever seen! It connects on every level—logically and emotionally. This is a film you can take your non-believing friend to and not cringe. In fact, you may see them come to Christ like my friend Lee Strobel!”
Pure Flix co-founder and actor David AR White and his wife, actress Andrea Logan White at the red carpet event for ‘The Case for Christ’ in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Sonoma Christian Home, Josiah Aviles.
There’s something about Pure Flix that’s unlike any other major film production company in existence: its emphasis on prayer. As with all their movies, before filming, every morning the cast and crew of The Case for Christ opened in prayer. At the red carpet event in Chicago, Sonoma Christian Home Associate Entertainment Josiah Aviles had the opportunity to speak with the cast and crew about their experiences working on the movie. Director Jon Gunn (Do You Believe) said, “every day we began with prayer, and it was surrounded by prayer.”
Actor Frankie Faison (The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal), who plays the editor at the Chicago Tribune in the movie, said that prayer wasn’t forced on them, but it was ever present. “[It] can be offsetting to some people… but it was presented in a way that says, ‘we always pray before the first shoot of the day. You’re welcomed to join us, or, if it’s against what you believe, stand forth and you can just excuse yourself until we do’. And it didn’t bother me either way because any kind of faith, prayer, whatever, that’s done in a positive way is something I can get behind, something I have respect for.”
Screenwriter Brian Bird (When Calls the Heart, Captive) hinted that much of the positive atmosphere during the production of the film could be credited to the system Pure Flix Entertainment has developed over the years. “There’s a whole infrastructure that Pure Flix has built of prayer teams around the country that pray for the production of each film. They’re all volunteers. We felt that.”
Actor Frankie Faison and actress L. Scott Cadwell on the red carpet of ‘The Case for Christ’ in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Sonoma Christian Home, Josiah Aviles.
Besides prayer, the whole atmosphere during filming was unique and set The Case for Christ apart from most other films. There were several seasoned actors who noticed something different during their experience working behind the scenes. Oscar-nominated actor Robert Forster (Jackie Brown), who played Lee Strobel’s father in the film, commented on the people he interacted with. He said the cast and crew “were all lovely folks, and that sets [The Case for Christ] apart from a lot of other movies. Everyone was clearly lovely and motivated by the theme of this movie, which is faith, and love.”
L. Scott Cadwell (Concussion), who plays a spiritual mentor to Leslie Strobel in the film, observed another aspect of their experience behind the scenes. She said, “almost every person I interacted with said ‘God Bless You’… They said it in the morning. They said it in the evening. Like I said, it was like saying ‘aloha’. That was the hello and the goodbye.” She went on to say that almost everyone, in all stages of production, was filled with faith. “And everyone had a smile on their face. There was something in people’s visage that said I’m happy. I’m happy to be doing this. I’m grateful. I’m thankful.”
It’s not a coincidence that every one of these actors and actresses had such a positive experience on set. Pure Flix, as well as Triple Horse Studios, made sure that the production was showered in prayer, and they surrounded themselves with fellow believers who had a passion for what they do. The majority of the people working on the film were fully invested in its message – the message of Christ’s love. That astounding fact is clearly reflected in the compelling adaptation of Lee Strobel’s The Case for Christ.
Actor Mike Vogel and director Jon Gunn on the red carpet for ‘The Case for Christ’ in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Sonoma Christian Home, Josiah Aviles.
Does the uplifting experience of all the actors have anything to do with the fact that this is a faith-based film, or is it simply because they were a great group of people? At one point during the evening, Frankie Faison asked this question. Cadwell responded by saying “I think they’re interrelated.” The inspiring experiences from believing and nonbelieving actors alike only adds to the mountain of evidence that supports the existence, and divine nature, of Jesus Christ.
To find out more about The Case for Christ film, and to purchase tickets, visit the official website here!
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