Facing the Giants (2006)

A losing coach with an underdog football team faces their giants of fear and failure on and off the field to surprising results.

Director:

Alex Kendrick

Writers:

Alex Kendrick, Stephen Kendrick

Stars:

Alex Kendrick, Shannen Fields, Jason McLeod

Cast

Credited cast:
Erin Bethea	...	Alicia Houston (as Erin Catt)
James Blackwell	...	Matt Prater
Bailey Cave	...	David Childers
Shannen Fields	...	Brooke Taylor
Tracy Goode	...	Brady Owens
Dan W. Howell Sr.	...	Announcer #2
Alex Kendrick	...	Grant Taylor
Jim McBride	...	Bobby Lee Duke
Tommy McBride	...	Jonathan Weston
Michael McLendon	...	Shiloh Football Player
Jason McLeod	...	Brock Kelley
Mark Richt	...	Himself
Kyle Scott	...	Shiloh Football Player
Mary Smit	...	Field Nurse
Steve Williams	...	Larry Childers

Storyline

An action-packed drama about a Christian high school football coach who uses his undying faith to battle the giants of fear and failure. In six years of coaching, Grant Taylor has never led his Shiloh Eagles to a winning season. After learning that he and his wife Brooke face infertility, Grant discovers that a group of fathers are secretly organizing to have him dismissed as head coach. Devastated by his circumstances, he cries out to God in desperation. When Grant receives a message from an unexpected visitor, he searches for a stronger purpose for his football team. He dares to challenge his players to believe God for the impossible on and off the field. When faced with unbelievable odds, the Eagles must step up to their greatest test of strength and courage. What transpires is a dynamic story of the fight between faith and fear.

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Plot Keywords:

christian | underdog | coach | football | football team | 

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Taglines:

...With God, all things are possible...

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Genres:

Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some thematic elements

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 September 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Affrontando i giganti

Filming Locations:

Albany, Georgia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$100,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,343,537, 1 October 2006, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$10,178,331

Company Credits

Production Co:

Carmel Entertainment, Destination Films, Provident Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mark Richt, the head football coach at the University of Georgia, has a cameo in the film.

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Goofs

When David is about to kick the 51 yard field goal in the championship game and his dad stands up, the camera pans back for a wide angle and the dad is the only person in that area. Then in a matter of seconds a man is right next to him asking if he needs help; this same man then magically disappears again and reappears deep within the stands to cheer for the field goal a few seconds later.

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Quotes

Brooke Taylor: She said that I'm fine, my numbers were normal, and there was nothing that gave her concern.
Grant Taylor: That's good.
Brooke Taylor: It doesn't mean the problem is with you.
Grant Taylor: What else could it mean?
Brooke Taylor: We may just have not given it enough time.
Grant Taylor: Four years?
Brooke Taylor: You still hoping we'll have a baby?
Grant Taylor: You know I am.
Brooke Taylor: Me too. I catch myself thinking about it more and more. Don't you want to know if something is preventing it? Are you afraid of getting checked out?
Grant Taylor: Yes.
[...]

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Crazy Credits

At the end of the credits, after "TO GOD BE THE GLORY!", some good advice follows: "FACE YOUR GIANTS!"

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Connections

Referenced in Fireproof (2008)

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Soundtracks

Never Give Up On Me
Written by Michael Boggs, Josh Bates
Performed by Josh Bates

User Reviews

Facing the Giants Is More Than Hollywood Clichés

Facing The Giants is a "feel good" movie. As I type those words, I can't help but think, "OK, I've just alienated at least half the readers from seeing the movie". A "feel good" movie doesn't have to translate to pure sap. Think Rocky more than Steel Magnolias. Although even that comparison is lacking, because similarities between Giants and Rocky or Rudy or for that matter any other "come from behind" sports movies also come up short. One thing is for sure, no one viewing Giants will miss the Christian content, and that difference alone makes the film unique. But that's not the only thing that sets this film apart. The fact that it was made mostly by volunteer amateurs from Albany, Georgia's Sherwood Baptist Church-for $100,000-is a testimony to what people can do when they passionately believe in something. That alone makes this a truly "inspiring" film! The story focuses on Coach Grant Taylor (played by writer, director, and Sherwood associate pastor Alex Kendrick), whose Shiloh Christian Academy football team hasn't had a winning season in six years. After losing a star player to another team, things are looking down for the Shiloh Eagles, and school board members begin to consider showing Taylor the door. The coach is having a bad year for sure. He drives a beat up car, his house smells like something died, and worst of all-he and wife discover they can't have children of their own. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) board that hands out movie ratings says that it was in fact this pregnancy theme that earned Giants it's PG rating. Don't be concerned by this "adult" topic-it's handled very appropriately for the whole family. On the "family" topic: yes you can the kids. My recommendation would be ages 8 and up, only because younger children may be bored with the football and "personal crisis" themes. But there is no sexual content or profanity, and violence is limited to football tackles. By the way, the football action looks great, thanks to one of the paid crew members, cinematographer Bob Scott. He's worked with the amazing NFL films as well as Friday Night Lights and many others. This is a very good film for the family-I actually think that's what this movie was made for. I can see families going out to eat after the movie and discussing some of the themes (trust in God, respecting your parents). If my son was older, I would be taking him to see it for sure. The movie could truly have a positive impact on kids-as opposed to the mindless entertainment they are often subjected to. As the story unfolds, Taylor reaches a breaking point, and decides that all he can do is trust the Lord for guidance. He tells his team, "If we win, we praise him and if we lose we praise him". Most adults won't be too surprised where the films goes after that-however I think kids in the audience will be delighted-and maybe inspired-by the turn of events. Let me go back to the "pure sap" comment for a moment. Some people may think this film is the definition of "sap" as the story progresses. I didn't see it that way. As a Christian, I have seen God turn around impossible situations-so for me, I was thinking "yeah, God can do that". So does Giants show us that when the chips are down, all we have to do is pray and things change immediately? Alex Kendrick talks about this in an interview with Christianity Today: "That's always the first negative comment we get after our test screenings. I'm not a name-it-and-claim-it guy; I think God does allow us to struggle." However I understand where Kendrick is coming from when he goes on to say, "We ended up with our story for two reasons: Number one, we had seen it happen around us. And number two, it's a movie and we wanted people to leave inspired and encouraged." We had seen it happen around us. Giants is a reflection of that. If you're like me, you will "feel good" at the end of the movie. That's not a bad thing! Go see this movie-and take the kids.