MALIBU, Calif. (ABP) – A movie by a one-time missionary kid that tells his family’s true story of a horrific crime and aftermath that includes Christian themes of forgiveness and redemption is coming out soon on DVD.
While continuing to appear in theaters and group screenings, 'Heaven's Rain' is now out on DVD.
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Heaven’s Rain producer, screenwriter and star Brooks Douglass says the film will continue to be shown in theaters, churches and group screenings, but the DVD will become available June 1 and is available for pre-order now at heavensrainmovie.com.
When he was 16, Douglass’ family was victimized in a brutal home invasion robbery that left his parents dead and him and his younger sister, Leslie, critically wounded. Motivated by their experiences with the court process, Douglass entered politics and as the youngest state senator in Oklahoma history pioneered victims’ right legislation that served as a model for other states.
When he left politics, Douglass decided to become a Hollywood screenwriter. His teacher and later co-writer and director, Paul Brown, convinced Douglass to write about his life in a screenplay. Not relishing the prospect of turning the script over to a studio where it might be turned into a crime story, Douglass decided to raise money and produce his first film as a tribute to his parents. The movie climaxes with a scene re-enacting a meeting in an Oklahoma prison where Douglass’ character, played by actor Mike Vogel, forgives one of two killers convicted for his parents’ murders.
Douglass also acts in the movie, playing his father — first as a Southern Baptist missionary in Brazil and then as pastor of Putnam City Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. The role includes another emotional scene, where Douglass recreates the night in 1979 when his father, Richard, and mother, Marilyn, died bound on the floor of their home from gunshot wounds after two drifters robbed them and shot all four family members before leaving them for dead.
Brooks Douglass at a recent screening of 'Heaven's Rain' in Nashville, Tenn.
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Douglass has told his story in mass media including Today on NBC and The View on CBS. He said he just received a call from NBC Dateline, which wants to re-air a story broadcast in January with an update on the progress of the movie.
He also has spoken in churches, including Robert Schuller’s Crystal Cathedral Church in Garden Grove, Calif., and at the Prestonwood Baptist Church Men’s Conference in Plano, Texas.
Churches and others desiring to sponsor a showing in their community can sign up on the movie website.
Along wiht the DVD, a discussion guide is due out by end of the month with 10 lessons covering a range of topics addressed in the movie and scriptures pointing to what the Bible says about each. The guide can be used in groups to facilitate discussion using clips of the film.
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Bob Allen is managing editor of Associated Baptist Press.
Previous stories:
‘Heaven’s Rain’ filmmaker honored by Attorney General
Crime victims identify with ‘Heaven’s Rain’
Filmmaker discusses faith, forgiveness on 'The View'
Filmmaker discusses forgiveness on NBC
'Dateline NBC' to air story of murder of Baptist minister, wife