Originally published in Christian Cinema.Com
Production is set to begin on the first evangelistic silent feature film since sound was added to picture. “The Good Book” is the story of a New Testament that finds its way into the hands of seven strangers and provides hope during their struggles.
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“The Good Book” is being produced by husband/wife filmmakers Fred and Sharon Wilharm. “I’d been toying with the story concept for awhile,” says Sharon, “but I knew something was missing. Fred and I were talking about how important it would be to ‘show not tell’ and then it hit us. Why not take it to the extreme and make a completely silent film?”
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“We immediately realized how much more powerful the message could be if words didn’t get in the way,” says Fred. “From there, it all started falling into place.”
“The Good Book” is the Wilharm’s fifth faith-based film. Their most recent film, “Flowers for Fannie” had a limited theatrical release and is being distributed by VCI Entertainment. It will be available in US stores from October 15, 2013.
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“We are very excited to hear about the Wilharm’s next movie project,” says Matt Plunk, worship minister from Destin, Florida. “The unique nature of this film has unlimited potential for sharing the love of Christ literally around the world.”
“What a great way to spread to all the nations not only the word of God, but the love of God without language barriers,” adds Matt’s wife Grace.
The Wilharms are not the first husband and wife team to make an evangelistic silent film. In the 1920’s and 1930’s evangelists James and Eloyce Gist produced short films including their most famous, “Hellbound Train,” which was recently revived.
A more recent silent Christian film was “Parable,” a 20 minute film produced for the Protestant Council of New York for the 1964 New York World’s Fair. In 2012 it was selected for inclusion in the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.
“The Good Book” will begin filming in late summer with a release date of April 2014. Hollywood leading lady Jenn Gotzon (Doonby, God’s Country) is signed on to play a lead role.
The silent story will be followed by testimony from individuals whose lives have been changed by the gift of a Bible.
