Machine Gun Preacher (2011)

Sam Childers is a former drug-dealing biker tough guy who found God and became a crusader for hundreds of Sudanese children who've been forced to become soldiers.

Director:

Marc Forster

Writer:

Jason Keller

Stars:

Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan, Michael Shannon

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gerard Butler	...	Sam Childers
Michelle Monaghan	...	Lynn Childers
Kathy Baker	...	Daisy
Michael Shannon	...	Donnie
Ryann Campos	...	Paige #1
Madeline Carroll	...	Paige #2
Souleymane Sy Savane	...	Deng
Grant R. Krause	...	Billy / Contractor (as Grant Krause)
Reavis Graham	...	Pastor Krause
Peter Carey	...	Bill Wallace
Barbara Coven	...	Shannon Wallace
Misty Mills	...	Biker Chick
Nicole Michele Sobchack	...	Bartender (as Nicole Sobchack)
Sidi Henderson	...	Shaved Head
Mike Litaker	...	Drifter

Storyline

In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, addicted gang biker Sam Childers is released from prison and learns that his wife Lynn is no longer a stripper but has converted to Christianity. One night, Sam and his best friend Donnie give a ride to a hitchhiker who threatens Donnie with a pocketknife; however Sam reacts and turns the tables on the stranger. Sam is affected by the incident and is convinced by Lynn and his mother Daisy to join their church, and he is baptized. Sam finds a straight job in construction. When he meets a preacher from Africa, he decides to visit the continent. Sam travels to Northern Uganda and South Sudan many times and builds an orphanage for the victims of the cruel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). Further, he fights whenever necessary and becomes a legend known as The Machine Gun Preacher.

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Plot Keywords:

biker | orphanage | africa | machine gun | sudanese | 

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Taglines:

Hope is the greatest weapon of all

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Genres:

Action | Biography | Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

14A

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Arabic Acholi

Release Date:

2 November 2011 (UK)

Also Known As:

La loi et l'ordre

Filming Locations:

Detroit Masonic Temple, Detroit, Michigan, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$45,130 (USA) (23 September 2011)

Gross:

$537,580 (USA) (18 November 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Relativity Media, Virgin Produced, Apparatus Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

129 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The real Sam Childers, whom the story is based on, shows screenings of a heavily-edited version of the film in churches around the world. The proceeds of which are used to support his ongoing work in South Sudan.

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Goofs

On one of Sam's final trips to Sudan shown in the film, his wife, daughter, and friend go with him as far as the boarding gate at the airport. For security reasons, after the September 11 terrorist attacks this was no longer permitted.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Prison Clerk: [returning his belongings] You ya go.
Sam Childers: You all go fuck yourselves now, okay?

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Crazy Credits

During the end credit roll, clips and pictures of original main characters (Sam Childers, Lynn, Paige & SPLA Soldier, Deng) are shown.

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Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #20.4 (2011)

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Soundtracks

Child in Time
Written by Ritchie Blackmore (as Richard Blackmore), Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Jean Baptiste Mallard, Ian Paice
Performed by Deep Purple
Courtesy of EMI Records Ltd
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc.
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

User Reviews

An amazing story.. An amazing movie!!!

I saw this movie and was simply left speechless. It was amazing!! The story of Sam Childers is amazing. It really makes you think and wonder how can one person have so much willpower and stamina to keep doing what he has been doing all these years for these children. I was shocked by what the LRA has been doing to these children but unfortunately this is the truth and history keeps repeating itself especially in African countries. I have lived in Africa for many years and seeing somebody doing something about these atrocities does mean a lot (even though he is a "white savior"). If this is what it takes, so be it. Let's not denigrate it as I have seen so many do in their reviews. It is a very moving story and although it is extremely violent at times (let us not forget this is a true story and these things happened), it can be very touching and emotional. Gerard Butler's performance is Oscar worthy and Michelle Monaghan and Michael Shannon were also great even though their roles were short but then again the story is about Sam Childers. However, what I would really like to know is why some of the critics trashed this movie?? !! Most of the people who saw it found it excellent as I did. And why was it not widely distributed??? I think people should see this movie and be more awake and aware!! Was it too controversial for some?? It leaves me wondering !!!