The Cross and the Switchblade

Long before faith-based films became a regular feature of mainstream movie theaters, there was The Cross and The Switchblade. The film was made squarely within the Hollywood system. For instance, it was directed by Don Murray, famous for his acting roles in such films as Bus Stop, in which he starred opposite Marilyn Monroe. The lead roles were played by Pat Boone, an entertainer with a long career in Hollywood, and Eric Estrada who would go on to fame as a TV star. Yet, despite its mainstream pedigree, the film was set apart by the unashamedly Christian vision of its producers who set out to produce a slate of mainstream films with redemptive themes in the late 60's and early 70's.

The book, The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson was first published in 1963. It depicts Wilkerson's experience with gang members in the mean streets of New York City in the late 1950's. This was a world of "jitter-bugging bee-boppers" and "rumbles" in the park using the eras' weapons of choice, baseball bats and chains. The 1970 film adaptation partially updated the setting with the late 1960's youth culture in mind, a decision that led to some incongruous scenes that seem caught somewhere between the world of groovy pot-smoking hippies and the world of the greaser-gangs from West Side Story.

But, despite that curiosity and other now-dated (maybe always dated) elements, The Cross and the Switchblade stands up to scrutiny, not least of all because of the truth of the story it portrays. The life-changing solution that David Wilkerson brought to desperate lives is forever relevant.

The change in the life of notorious gang leader Nicky Cruz, as shown in the film, led to a decades long evangelistic ministry that in turned changed the lives of countless people around the globe. And the work of the skinny country preacher, David Wilkerson, who braved the meanest streets of New York to tell desperate and lost young people that there was a better way, is still going strong. The ministry of Teen Challenge and World Challenge is still changing lives and offering genuine hope to countless souls who had given up on life.

There has been much criticism of the film's production values over the years but, a lot of this is unfair. Sure, the duel time-periods the movie seems to exist in and the now dated dialogue and hokey songs used on the soundtrack are all fair game for criticism. But other elements of the film are impressive including some intricately choreographed action scenes filmed on New York City rooftops and fire escapes and a rock-jazz fusion soundtrack by Ralph Carmichael. The film also features some truly sincere acting by Boone, one of Hollywood's most famous Christians, who at one time called the role the most important he had ever played. Eric Estrada also gives a gritty and emotional performance as Nicky Cruz. Estrada is perfect for the part and he displays some real leading-man charisma here.

This 50th anniversary re-release was professionally restored and re-mastered using the original 35mm camera negative and rendered in 4K.

This is the best made amateur Christian film of all time! It is the true story of preacher David Wilkerson who felt called by God to go into the city to help the troubled gang members. The acting can be uneven at times but the direction was very well done. Eric Estrada is excellent as Nicky Cruz. The biggest problem with this production is the musical soundtrack. The story is very good even if the dialog is somewhat hokey. All in all a good solid entertaining film that should convert even the toughest of skeptics. It realistically deals with what life on the streets is all about. See this movie, you'll be glad you did!

To me it seemed that the movie was a rush job. The book is a very powerful tool for telling the word of Christ. According to the sequel: "Beyond The Cross and the Switchblade" after the movie came out contributions started to drop off. Finally Pastor Wilkerson found out that due to the success people thought their contributions were no longer needed. Funny thing, the distributor of the film went bankrupt. Overall the work that "Teen Challenge" later to become "World Challenge" is tremendous. From a tiny acorn a mighty oak has grown.

I find it hilarious how other people are commenting that the film is unrealistic. Try reading the book, guys! This film is based on a true story, and although minor parts have been changed, the story about David and Nicky is true.

Also, another IMDb user wrote in their comment that David refuses to take a severely stabbed Nicky to hospital unless he accept Christ. Maybe this person hasn't seen the film, or their hate of Christianity was deluding them, but this does not happen in the film.

This film's a picture of what a messed up life on drugs is truly like, and the solution is Christ. Take it or leave it, but bagging a film just because it's Christian is just immature.

I saw this movie when I was 13 years old, while first released at the theaters. It has stayed with me ever since. I am not a religious person, and the heart of this movie is not in my memory for spiritual reasons. It is the true story of the heartbreaking struggles of a few, then dozens, then hundreds of streetkids. It is the true story of the bitter-sweet survival, recovery, success of one after another. And the utter sadness in the loss and waste of those lost to drugs, crime, and/or prison. What moved me wasn't as much the tenacity and courage of the preacher who gave up his comforts to live and work among those of the street, which was enormous, but the fact that these kids were found, or found someone, to pull them out, to fight for them until they finally became capable of fighting for themselves. There is both humor and drama in this story of kids who learned through the efforts of one single man, constantly, unrelentlessly, with creativity and iron testicles, that they can overcome.