There are not many movies out there featuring near death experiences. These back from the brink persons, almost all seem like tormented individuals. Eric Roberts search for meaning to his new found revelations, leads to personal disaster, and opens up more doors than it closes. The acting by Roberts is among his finest, and the life changing storyline builds to an acceptable open ended climax. The elusive Lynette Walden is a standout playing Roberts loving, disillusioned wife. If believing in miracles films are on your short list of favorites, then "Saved by the Light" is a must see. Others may find the movie somewhat redundant and draggy. - MERK
8 Reviews
Startling spiritual experience based on a true story
act2LA28 March 2004
Eric Roberts probes the depths of the psyche, as only he can, in a moving, gut-wrenching, sometimes terrifying performance. This amazing true story parallels many documented accounts of near-death experiences -- but with some shocking twists and turns. "People never change" -- you've heard it said at least a thousand times! Well, the story of this man's life certainly flies in the face of that idea. This just may be the ultimate in documented near-death experiences! In all the cases I've read, the person who has "gone to the other side" and returns to the living, no longer fears death. That's true of this individual as well -- but it leads to some unexpected trials and tribulations. Talk about an "extreme" life! In the end, this is a an emotional, gritty, profoundly meaningful, and surprisingly inspiring film.
Deeply moving and profound look at one man's redemption
nvasapper13 June 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Eric Roberts gives a standout performance in the role of Dannion Brinkley- a cruel, angry, violent town bully living in Aiken, South Carolina in 1975. His life changes one night during a thunderstorm when he gets struck by a bolt of lightning while talking on the telephone. Declared clinically dead for 28 minutes, he has a near-death experience in which his soul leaves his body and goes through a "tunnel", emerging in Heaven. Confronted by beings of light as he refers to them, he relives all the violent episodes of his life in flashback and is made to experience the pain and hurt that he caused others from early childhood on. He hears God tell him that love is the answer and shortly thereafter revives while being taken to the hospital morgue on a gurney. Profoundly shaken and altered by this experience, he seeks to turn his life around and become a kinder, gentler person, while at the same time attempting to understand the new psychic abilities which the lightning strike appears to have bestowed upon him. This is a wonderful movie with a universal message to share about human kindness and compassion and redemption through God's love. I give it a 10 out of 10.
Perfection as far as a TV movie gets, perfection of Eric Robert
genjo197520 March 2003
As Eric Roberts (Dannion Brinkley) said with such perfect hair raising moment in the movie. "All I came to do was show them how to love, and all they did was beat me and reject me". Whew....what a line of perfection, this movie should be seen by all of a man who changes his tough guy ways to a man of peace and love, wanting to help everyone in his path. He is overcome with his afterlife experience as he was proclaimed dead for 28 minutes. He takes what he has learned and changes his life for the better, and from that point on the movie shows how people reject others who mean nothing but good. How they crucify those who only want to help !
Beautiful Movie, Super Eric Roberts Performance
monstermonkeyhead29 June 2004
Warning: Spoilers
WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS CONTAINED HEREIN. Eric Roberts gives a sincere, honest, and believable performance here that is among his best thus far. He's a superstar in my book. The movie itself has a great eternal message of loving thy neighbor. But far from being a nauseating feel good endeavor, it shows the trials and tribulations plaguing the human psyche. In other words, we can be real bastards sometimes. This is a thought provoking, yet modest, movie that should be seen by all, because let's face facts, most of us need gentle reminders to be kind to each other. I could easily relate to Eric Roberts' character here. My only regret was that the movie wasn't longer. I was enjoying it so much.
True Life Story of Near Death Experience, brilliantly acted by Eric Roberts
fourwinds422 December 2011
For anyone fascinated by the near death experience, this is a must see movie. A true story based on the life of Dannion Brinkley it portrays in a realistic manner the effects of having a near death experience on the person who has the near death event and those around him.
Roberts is wonderful as usual and the rest of the cast support him beautifully.
On a Spiritual note, I think this is a movie for all those to see who wonder about what happens after death.....
An excellent, above average made for TV movie Would love to see Eric given a truly meaty role these days; he is always excellent in the supporting roles he appears to have been doing for the past few years.. but c'mon .. someone give him a lead role in something substantial!!!
Roberts is wonderful as usual and the rest of the cast support him beautifully.
On a Spiritual note, I think this is a movie for all those to see who wonder about what happens after death.....
An excellent, above average made for TV movie Would love to see Eric given a truly meaty role these days; he is always excellent in the supporting roles he appears to have been doing for the past few years.. but c'mon .. someone give him a lead role in something substantial!!!
Based on a true story.
cmyklefty13 January 2002
Eric Roberts plays Dannion Brinkley who was struck by lightning and dramatically change his outlook on life. Brinkley was dead for a couple minutes, at first he did not believe what had happen to him. Suddenly he developed powers that he can communicate with the dead.
Good but not brilliant
fanaticita5 March 2004
This was an interesting enough story, definitely. However, it was not a good vehicle for Eric Roberts who appeared a little uncomfortable in this role. Compared to his other great accomplishments, Pope of Greenwich Village, Nature of the Beast, Runaway Train, La Cucaracha, etc., this role paled in comparison. Eric is a great talent and likes to stretch his artistic muscles, and this role just didn't give him the opportunity. The story was unusual and gave a lot of insight into the "out of body" experience. Food for thought. Nice cinematography in the "heaven" scenes. Eric's wife played a small role as the woman in the vehicle who he tries to save. I'd say this is a good film for people interested in the supernatural possibilities. Eric Roberts fans may be disappointed.
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