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, Kathy Baker

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 Childs 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:

africa | biker | orphanage | east africa | child soldier | 

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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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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violent content including disturbing images, language, some drug use and a scene of sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [jp]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Arabic Acholi

Release Date:

2 November 2011 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

El rescate

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

When Sam is being baptized the preacher puts him backwards in the tank of water but Sam's clothes are already wet.

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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

Referenced in The L.A. Complex: Burn It Down (2012)

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Soundtracks

"Glory to His Name"
Traditional

User Reviews

masterpiece

This story touch my hart and soul! Even after couple of days after watching movie i still feel movement that this story caused in me;it is strong and powerful and it will change your life view forever! It made me appreciate more my life and my environment,not to mention enormous wish and need to help anyone who is in this kind of horror!

You will have to prepare yourself for a very horrifying story! You will not forget this movie for a long time! Hopefully this movie will go bigger and beyond - and it will help and assist in fight against this terror!!!

This movie deserves an Oscar!!!!!