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. Another 1 nomination.

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 Dupre 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:

sudanese | murder of a child | child uses a gun | child | gun | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The real Sam Childers, on whom the story is based, 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

The film depicts Sam in the Allegheny County Jail, but he is wearing the uniform of a PA Department of Corrections (DOC) inmate.

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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 Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson: Episode #8.19 (2011)

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Soundtracks

The Keeper
Written and Performed by Chris Cornell
Courtesy of Margarita, Inc. and You make Me Sick I Make Music

User Reviews

This movie is completely underrated

I simply cant believe this movie received such a low score. it saddens me to even think about such lack in evaluation especially over true current events. How often does Hollywood produce foreign based movies like this one for example. Sudan and other African nations are facing problems depicted through out the movie on a daily basis, even my own country, Nigeria, experiences profound but similar calamities as well. The plot is very interesting and unique in its own way, when has anyone ever heard of a preacher set out to fight rebels half way across the world for the well being of African villagers deep in the deserts of Sudan.

sad

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Arabic Acholi

Release Date:

2 November 2011 (UK)

Also Known As:

La foi et l'ordre

Filming Locations:

USA

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$45,130, 25 September 2011

Gross USA:

$538,690

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,338,690

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