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:

football | faith | christian | underdog | coach | 

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Taglines:

Never give up. Never back down. Never lose faith.

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | 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:

$1,389,000, 1 October 2006

Gross USA:

$10,178,331

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$10,307,987

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

The Revival Scene was something that the school really did experience once in a cafeteria. The number of students visible was a lot more than the actual number that were there, they were digitally duplicated. Some of the crowds in the stands during the games were also digitally multiplied.

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Goofs

During the Giants final drive the quarterback #11 is seen on the sideline behind coach Bobby Duke as he calls in the play. Then he is magically back on the field to run the play.

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Quotes

Grant Taylor: Hey, where's my car?
J.T. Hawkins Jr.: Where'd you park it?
Grant Taylor: Right here!
J.T. Hawkins Jr.: You sure? 'Cause ain't no way it got stolen. Man, you couldn't pay nobody to steal your car!
Grant Taylor: Did the boys do something with it?
J.T. Hawkins Jr.: Hey, I don't know... hey man, there's a note on this truck for you.
Grant Taylor: What does it say?
J.T. Hawkins Jr.: It says, "Grant Taylor, the impact you've made on our school means more to us than you'll ever know. The Lord has used you to meet a need in our lives. Now we want to meet a need in yours. You'll find the title of this new truck in...
[...]

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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 Courageous (2011)

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Soundtracks

Come On Back To Me
Words by Mac Powell, Music by Third Day
Performed by Third Day

User Reviews

A Sunday Sermon Comes To Life On the Gridiron

Well, this movie was a shock to see and to hear. Among the thousands of mainline films I have watched over many years, this is the first I've seen with a modern-day story that was unapologetically Christian. It actually used Jesus and God's name as you would hear in a sermon in church. Of course, the fact that "Hollywood" didn't make this film is understandable; it was produced, directed, written, etc., by a Baptist church in Georgia.

But - surprise - it's available in good quantities at the video stores and actually has the production values of a big-budget Hollywood film. In other words, this looks nice and, for the most part, is adequately acted even though amateurs do the acting. The only one I thought sounded wooden, unfortunately, was Alex Kendrick playing the main character: coach Grant Taylor, the Shiloh Christian High School football coach. Kendrik directed and wrote this film, so kudos to him for all that wonderful work....but an actor, he ain't. Real-life University of Georgia football coach Mark Richt makes a guest appearance and he sounded very relaxed and convincing, as a professional actor would sound. They should have given Richt the main role!

Yes, the story is hokey, especially at the end at the last football game, but what Hollywood movie isn't? It's just a little far-fetched to anyone who knows football. At any rate, the action scenes were well-done and very realistic looking.

To see a movie with this many inspirational and profound Biblical statements was a "revelation" and really nice to see (hear). Hokey or not, there are several moments in this film that should drive most viewers to tears. If not, check your pulse.

The main message of the movie: "All things are possible with God," is a good one and one everyone, including Christians, need to be reminded of periodically. Secular people who don't want to hear anything positive about God or the Bible, or who are just plain biased against Christians, will hate this film and wouldn't last 30 minutes watching it. I have a very good friend who is in that category and I couldn't recommend the film to him, because he'd be in the bathroom puking his guts out after a half hour. However, if you are more tolerant, or are a follower Of Jesus Christ, then you will find this film inspiring and emotional and worth your time.