Woodlawn [Blu-ray]

One of the best movies I've seen in a long time. A look at racial division and what Jesus can do because of His love to bring unity among all people.

I've watched many sports...faith based...or true story type movies, but I've never had the pleasure of watching one with all of these themes.This, to me, is one of the best movies I've ever seen. And not just for faith based movies...I'm referring to all movies.Jon Voight's portrayal of Paul "Bear" is brilliant. You can't really define it as only a faith based movie, or a football movie...it's a movie that some would say is just too amazing to be a true story. But that's what makes it so special...because the story being told is almost a direct account of what occurred at this high school between 1973-74!The extra's in the blu-ray have most of the real life counterparts describing what it was like to see their lives being portrayed on the big screen. They all agreed that it was a very accurate depiction of their lives...and how this story unfolded.I'm not going to tell you the plot, or spoil it in any way. I'd rather you be surprised in the way that I was.If there was one movie I could recommend to everyone, this would be the one.It's just that good! Woodlawn [Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack + Digital HD ]

Solid well done film. Has the look and feel of a big budget sports film which is way beyond most mainstream sports films. I am not a sports fan, but the filming of the game scenes were well done and showing the crowds is something that most movies have to avoid due to budget. This one doesn't use any trickery to hide there not really being an audience; it shows the entire stadium full of people, in aerial glory even.The writing, pacing, cinematography, casting, acting and music are all very good. The integration of archival historical footage with new footage adds a nice touch, giving the true story an extra degree of validity and power.One message it really drives home is the impact and importance of the individual. We need to help give others hope and one person can make a difference to another who makes a difference to another. The ending footage of Billy Graham helps hit a home run message to share the good news with others.

I graduated from WHS in 1966, before the time period of most of this movie. I moved to Birmingham from 'up north' (I was born in Brooklyn...) in time to start the tenth grade there in 1963. I remember the odd taunting of the first few 'integrating' black students - but there was no locked gate in the hallway and certainly not the racial animosity depicted in the movie. And - what kind of movie about Birmingham would be complete without the PD dogs and fire hose footage? Gee, that gets tiring. I wrote it off as 'artisticle freedom' - to help sell the movie.The rest of the movie was great - a success story of sorts. If Christian beliefs and behavior bother you - don't watch this movie. For that, ignoring the earlier remarks in evaluating the movie, it is well worth the 5 star rating.

A great movie

Clean family movie, but not a good Christian film.Once again Hollywood has tried to hit the churchgoing market. But once again they have missed the target. Not understanding the true gospel message, they have turned this movie into a choose good versus evil movie. Which is NOT the true story of Woodlawn. Watered down, diluted and packaged in the attempt to sell tickets, Hollywood should learn from the Kendrick brothers and let real Christians make their movies.I was in the Jesus movement. I was a college sophomore turned evangelist who left school to hold services twice a day and preached on streets and in parks for over a year of that revival. One the songs they played in the movie was, "Jesus is just alright with me" by the Doobie Brothers We would have NEVER listened to trash like that put out by a group named after a joint! The whole movement was to show that it didn't matter if Jesus was alright with us but if we were alright with Him.We had GREAT rock music with clear themes of repentance, praise and redemption. Why weren't they used? Because blind Hollywood can't see or give the light. Still preachin' since 1966 as a high schooler.

Woodlawn is an excellent movie, based on a true story of Tony Nathan, who went on to play in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins. You see the cultural struggles in Birmingham during this time period, the power of the Gospel to transform lives and a community. What is especially meaningful is my nephew and his family just moved from the Pacific NW to Birmingham, Alabama and arrived just yesterday. Two weeks prior, I had asked them if they had seen Woodlawn and they said no. I gave them my copy, which I had purchased from Amazon. It will be interesting to hear their take on the movie and how they are now experiencing the community.

A great movie for anyone. Well made. Good drama. The main point though is that there is a great message in there.

highly recommend