This is just a personal conversion testimony of Raul Ries put to film. As usual, it's better to read or hear the testimony as described by the person who experienced it, because a movie isn't going to explain what happened inside. The problem with a film that sticks closely to the account of this kind of conversion is it's not going to satisfy the movie watcher who wants a smooth and natural character arc, and the deus ex machina is not going to feel satisfying unless you happen to identify by having experienced the same kind of conversion. Also, most people won't find a sympathetic protagonist. He's literally a character only a mother (and Jesus) could love.
I was drawn to the movie because I recently saw Raul Ries in person and heard his testimony. The movie relayed his account, and I was able to appreciate it for helping visualize that account. The ideal target audience would be a combat veteran or someone who has deep seated anger issues and is at risk of committing physical abuse.
This movie can be seen in context of the recent "Jesus Revolution" movie. It's happening around the same time and place, and Raul Ries and family do become associated with Calvary Chapel and Chuck Smith, who appears on the television Raul Ries sees in t Fury to Freedom. "Jesus Revolution" is far more watchable, but only because it inserted characters with tangible flaws and arc development that didn't occur the way we see in that movie. Sometimes in cinema you have to choose between factually accurate and relatable story.
I was drawn to the movie because I recently saw Raul Ries in person and heard his testimony. The movie relayed his account, and I was able to appreciate it for helping visualize that account. The ideal target audience would be a combat veteran or someone who has deep seated anger issues and is at risk of committing physical abuse.
This movie can be seen in context of the recent "Jesus Revolution" movie. It's happening around the same time and place, and Raul Ries and family do become associated with Calvary Chapel and Chuck Smith, who appears on the television Raul Ries sees in t Fury to Freedom. "Jesus Revolution" is far more watchable, but only because it inserted characters with tangible flaws and arc development that didn't occur the way we see in that movie. Sometimes in cinema you have to choose between factually accurate and relatable story.
