You've read the hymn. Now see the movie
Posted February 18, 2007
Books get turned into movies all the time, but hymns? That's a new thing under the sun. Friday, in theatres across America, movie goers will be able to see "Amazing Grace -- The Movie." (No plans in place yet for Amazing Grace -- the Action Figure.)
"Amazing Grace" may be the nation's favorite hymn. Celebrities record it. Tens of millions know its words by heart. But many people don't know that it was written by a former slave trader turned pastor named John Newton. Now, thanks to cinema, it's a story that will become familiar to millions more.
We all know how Hollywood works. If a movie's a hit, copycats and sequel-makers leap into action. So here's my question. If "Amazing Grace -- the Movie" is a blockbuster and studios decide to crank out another movie about a hymn, which song should they pick.
Is there any other gospel song that's worthy of the silver screen?
Comments
To go in the opposite direction from perplexed, I have always thought that the Hank Williams song "I Saw the Light" would make a great theme for the story of Williams' life, just as I'm sure the theme of this movie is about John Newton's life.
Editor's note: Thomas Dorsey's "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" would be another possibility. The musical genius was on the road -- miles away from his pregnant wife -- when he received a phone call. "You're a father -- and a widow. Your wife died during childbirth." Then he received another phone call. "Your newborn son has also passed away." Somehow, in the midst of this tragedy, he wrote "Precious Lord." That's a powerful story, all by itself, but it gets better. Dorsey, born in 1899, endures Jim Crow laws and second class citizenship for decades, but lives long enough to see his hymns embraced by all America and recorded by Elvis Presley. He also sees:
1.) "Precious Lord" played at the funeral of a southern white American ex-president, Lyndon Johnson in January 1973. Aretha Franklin sang it.
2.) Johnson wasn't the only one who loved the song. Mahalia Jackson sang "Precious Lord" Martin Luther King's favorite hym, at Dr. King's funeral in 1968.
It is Well With My Soul. Horatio Spafford's Story and Song would make a phenomenal movie.
How about It's Not About Me, Frank? They could feature a gigantic photo of that songwriter's face!
Editor's note: Well, Jack, I laughed when I read your post. Thanks for the humor.
http://www.asbury.edu/amazinggrace
I think this is an old italian hymm, Ave Marie, brings tears to my eyes evrytime I hear it