Movie Review: Machine Gun Preacher

Photo from http://www.heyuguys.co.uk

Release Date: November 2, 2011
Based on: Another Man’s War by Sam Childers

Truth be told, I rented this movie from Redbox because I had a free rental code and it seemed interesting. I had seen a preview for it on another video and thought “that’s probably pretty cool.” I knew it was about a man who used his rough street-knowledge to help orphans in war-torn Sudan, and that it was based on a true story.

I was completely unprepared for the impact this movie would have on me. I expected some awesome special effects and a few tender moments with little orphan children. What I found was a graphic, revealing, emotional-roller coaster that touched my heart, moved my spirit, and make me think about grace, determination, family, and faith.

The film opens with scenes of the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army, headed by Joseph Kony) attacking a village. The next scene shows main character Sam Childers (played by Gerard Butler), being released from prison. He returns home to his wife Lyn and daughter Paige (played by Michelle Monaghen and Madeline Caroll), where he learns that Lyn is no longer working as a stripper or using drugs, but has become a Christian and attending church. He is angered and storms out, where he meets up with his buddy Donnie (Michael Shannon), and gets high. These scenes are disturbing and very realistic, with the images and language very rough and not for the weak-hearted or easily offended.

Eventually Sam also decides to follow Jesus and is baptized, and begins to turn his life around. His redemption is evident in how he lives after his baptism. He starts a construction company, moves his family into a nice, home, and becomes active in his church. His life is changed completely during a mission trip to Africa and he is stricken with the plight of Sudanese orphans and village children. He makes it his mission to help them and uses his knowledge of weapons, fighting, and secrecy from his past life as a drug-dealing biker, combined with his construction skills, compassion, and newfound faith to change the dire circumstances of the children he has grown to love. He joins the SPLA (Sudan People”s Liberatian Army), and becomes known as the “Machine Gun Preacher.” The film follows Sam’s story as he struggles to balance his faith, his passion, his actions, and his family.

This movie is definitely not the faith-based film we would associate with companies such as  Sherwood Pictures, Fox Faith, or Cloud Nine, and is wrought with scenes that are bloody, angry, and frightening. We see women beaten, drug use, children dying, and armed conflict. We can easily empathize with Sam in his struggles both before and after his conversion to Christianity because it is spelled out in its gritty, realistic glory right in front of us. The language is rough, profane in many instances, and is not “reigned in” for the sake of politeness. The “R” rating by the MPAA is well-deserved and children should NOT watch this film.

That being said, I am very glad I did watch it, and would recommend it to others with little to no hesitation. I was moved by Butler’s performance as Sam Childers; he is real, raw, and incredibly believable. I was equally taken with Michelle Monaghen’s performance as Sam’s supportive and strong wife and Michael Shannon’s portrayal as the loveable, somewhat goofy, but deeply troubled Donnie. The cinematography is exceptional, with tidbits of real artifacts from Sam Childers’ life embedded within. The grace that is found within salvation and how it changes even the “worst of the worst” is the foundation of a story full of chaos, anger, hopelessness, and tragedy. To say this is a well-made film is a gross understatement.

For more information about the LRA, SPLA, Sam Childers, and organizations working to change the fate of African children terrorized by war and enslavement, please visit the links below.

IMDB entry for Machine Gun Preacher

Official Kony 2012 Site by Invisible Children

LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) - Wikipedia

SPLA (Sudan People's Liberatian Army) - Wikipedia

Sam Childers - Wikipedia  Facebook page  Twitter  Official Site

Another Man's War - Amazon

Invisible Children Inc.  Facebook page

Please comment below and let us know if you've seen the movie (or after you have). What are your thoughts on it?

Melissa McGinnis is the Children's Ministry Director for LHF. She was not compensated in any way for review of this movie. The Redbox free rental code was given as part of an anniversary promotion and not in exchange for review of the film. As always, her opinions are her own.