The Fighting Preacher (2019)

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Director:

T.C. Christensen

Writer:

T.C. Christensen

Stars:

David McConnell, Charley Boon, Kenna Dawn

Cast

Credited cast:
David McConnell	...	Willard Bean
Charley Boon	...	Buster
Kenna Dawn	...	Palmyra (older)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Steve Anderson	...	Thomas Winegar
Richard Benedict	...	Pliny Sexton
David DeDen	...	Mobber #2
Jim Goldrup	...	Mobber #4
Tom Goldrup	...	Mobber #3
Matt Hale	...	Challenger
Scarlett Hazen	...	Palmyra
Barta Heiner	...	Mrs. Rhodes
Tony Hill	...	The Stranger
Cassidy Hubert	...	Rebecca Bean
Cy Mayward	...	Eldon (credit only)
Joseph Paur	...	Waterman

Storyline

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Taglines:

The true story of the 1905 World Middle-Weight Boxing Champion, Willard Bean, who turns his gloves in to become a preacher.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic content and some action.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 July 2019 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Utah, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$60,224, 28 July 2019

Gross USA:

$445,299

Company Credits

Production Co:

Remember Films

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

According to BoxRec, Boxing's Official Record Keeper, Willard Bean was never a World Champion Boxer and he never boxed in St. Louis as depicted in the movie. He had two matches outside of Utah; one in San Fransisco, CA and one in Denver, CO. His professional boxing record was: 18 bouts and 181 rounds. 8 wins (7 by knock out), 5 losses (1 by knock out) and 3 draws.

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Connections

References Rocky (1976)

User Reviews

THEY GOT IT ABOUT HALF RIGHT

In his autobiography, Willard Bean wrote: "When people tell my story they usually get it about half right." This movie is an example of that; the screenwriter got it about half right. The sad thing is the parts he got wrong were deliberately wrong because the writer thought it would make a better story. The real, accurate story would have made a much better movie. Sadder still is that in interviews the writer presented his altered version as true and accurate. Visually this movie is beautiful. Mr. Christensen is one of the best cinematopraphers working today. David McConnell does a very good job portraying Willard Bean, but unfortunately, he received some bad direction which made some of his scenes silly and eye-rolling. If you like "Mormon movies", you'll love this one. It has some touching moments and some good lessons, and even a thinly disguised Three Nephites Story (which is so poorly put together it leaves the audience wondering what just happened). One of the ways the writer changed the true story was to create an a-little-child-shall-lead-them storyline. This is always good for a few tears whether it's true or not. Adding this storyline feels like an insult to Willard Bean's life and his true character, but it's a guaranteed Kleenex moment in any "Mormon movie". Visually, I would give this movie 8 out of 10 stars. Unfortunately, Mr Christensen insists on being a one-man band who writes, directs, shoots and produces and I can't give the final product more than 4 out of 10 stars. Had this been a team effort with a good writer who stuck to the true story, and good director working with one of the industries great cinematographers, this could have been an outstanding movie. One final note. Before you lump me in the category of Mormon hater, or disgruntled Latter-day Saint with a chip on his shoulder, I am neither of these. I am a devout Latter-day Saint with no ax to grind. I am simply giving an honest assessment of the movie.