Today’s Prayer Focus
MOVIE REVIEW

Last Ounce of Courage

MPA Rating: PG-Rating (MPA) for thematic elements, some war images and brief smoking.

Reviewed by: John Decker
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Excellent!
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Kids Family Teens Adults
Genre: Christian Family Drama
Length: 1 hr. 1 min.
Year of Release: 2012
USA Release: September 14, 2012 (wide—1,200+ theaters)
DVD: December 4, 2012
Copyright, Rocky Mountain Picturesclick photos to ENLARGE Copyright, Rocky Mountain Pictures Copyright, Rocky Mountain Pictures Copyright, Rocky Mountain Pictures Copyright, Rocky Mountain Pictures Copyright, Rocky Mountain Pictures Copyright, Rocky Mountain Pictures
Relevant Issues
Copyright, Rocky Mountain Pictures

foundation of USA on Christian values

Has America lost its fundamental faith?

What are some of the most valuable lessons we can learn from this story?

making a difference in your community

courage

value of freedom

war

self-sacrifice

love and forgiveness

freedom of expression

freedoms being taken away in USA

What role should the Bible and Christianity play in America? Answer

Separation of Church and State—When did the government pass this law and where can it be found? Answer

Where should Christians draw the line in trying to restore Christian values in the U.S.? Answer

Patriotism—Does being a Christian mean that I should be patriotic? Answer

Is the religion of Secular Humanism being taught in public school classrooms? Answer

Christmas

Featuring Marshall R. Teague … Bob Revere
Jennifer O’Neill … Dottie Revere
Fred Williamson … Warren Hammerschmidt
Jenna Boyd … Mattie Rogers
Rusty Joiner … Greg Rogers
Hunter Gomez … Christian Revere
Darrel Campbell … Renaldo Boutwell
Nikki Novak … Kari Revere
Bill O’Reilly … Bill O’Rilley
Sarah McMullen … Reagan
Adelie Campbell … Lindsay
Steve Nave … Walter Putman
Director Darryl Campbell
Kevin McAfee
Producer Veritas Entertainment
Denise Castelli … executive producer
See all »
Distributor Rocky Mountain Pictures

“a story of family, faith, freedom / It’s time to take a stand…”

“Last Ounce of Courage” is a timely message about religious liberty and the duty of keeping it. Should the American church investigate the early encroachments on American liberty, they are not so violent, not so extreme. The church slept through Darwin’s early days, so much she was given over to his doctrines and the recovery has been a strange hustle ever since; sadly, the basic knowledge needed to refute the most fundamentally flawed evolutionary concepts is not present among the average Christian’s understanding. Fourteen years are spanned within this film. That’s just long enough to take us from Bill Clinton’s days of “don’t ask, don’t tell,’ to a world where we are daily bombarded with an alphabet soup of boldly promiscuous letters, each designating some deviation from God’s plan for sex and the marital relationship.

“Last Ounce of Courage” is about sleeping Christians and waking Christians. It excuses no one. In the main character, Marshall Teague—playing Mayor Bob Revere—it calls out to a man who bears the guilt of an old war situation gone awry, and again speaks to the same man who lost a son in a later war and says “who told you that it was time to sleep?” I am not worthy to call a man who has been through so much to fight stateside, as well, but who can be so bold as those who have witnessed the cost of freedom first hand? “Patriots, we need you”, this film cries out, “for this other kind of war, fought stateside, in your homes, your neighborhoods and your cities”.

1st Thessalonians 5:6 says “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”

Bathed in apathy, sadness and guilt, Bob buries his son in a graveyard and his shiny hog [motorcycle] in the garage, all in one breath. He is awakened fourteen years later by his grandson, who in a moment of contemplation takes the respectful liberty to ask, challengingly, what his father fought and died for. As the mayor awakes, he begins an almost immediate mission to rectify his country’s past. It’s Christmas time, and he is going to make the most of resurrecting shepherds, angels and other symbols of the nativity, as well as a cross, to let his city know that it is time to wake up and stand for the freedoms so readily allotted in the past and taken for granted, as benign, in the present. As the rest of the story goes, who knows what price a man, a woman, a policeman, a child who stands for what is right will be? And who does know? How far and how quickly are our freedoms eroding? God forgive those who are asleep and awake us lest this beacon go out. That is the heart of this movie.

PROS and CONS

The message of this film is not something to miss. If you are not yet awake, run to the theater as one on fire running to water. If you are awake, how much so? This is a touching film about a man who gave his all more than once. What immense rewards are built upon that caliber of stamina?

For me, the trailer left some to be desired. For instance, Bob’s monologue in the trailer is direct and flat. In the movie, it is by far my favorite scene. I want to see that monologue again. It is sincerely inspiring.

This movie carries a good amount of experienced actors for such a low budget film. I can’t say that I believe the actors are put to their best use or that the camera shots are worthy of them or that the edit is worthy of the work that went into it, though I can’t presume to know what the uncut film looked like.

The camera work is sporadic. The film is not on par with Christian films of late. However, I must come back to the message, which is sure. People are inspired, God is glorified in a new song, and the drama is effective, if lacking quality in many aspects.

CONS (other)

The wife of the soldier who dies in the beginning of the film falls for her late husband’s friend fourteen years later. While this is not in itself a bad theme, this same friend of the late husband has children, as well, and we hear of a separation that we never come to know more about. Divorce should not be used as a placeholder in a story, as a segue to giving a broken heart, or two, a gap to fill. Not desiring to make the story in my image, but only to give you an example of how this could have been done differently, what if the late soldier’s friend were still married and this story were fashioned to show a national audience an idea they are yet to know in a modern context — the care for widows. There is nothing unbiblical about a widow remarrying. There is a problem, however when one of society’s great ills (divorce) is injected into story in order to make it more interesting or give someone a familial place to fall in love.

I did not make note of this while watching it, but in one dramatic scene, an American flag is placed in front of the Christian symbols on a stage. This was a great disappointment to a friend of mine at the theater. Her sentiment was that this was reflective of the rest of the film and that the gospel message could have been more fully delivered in a few easy lines. For my part, I see this film truly as more about religious liberty and the duty of keeping that, than the Christian story itself. While I am sure my friend will not be alone in her opinion, I see this movie as a wake up call. God Bless America.

Violence: Moderate / Profanity: None / Sex/Nudity: Mild


See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Positive
Positive—LAST OUNCE OF COURAGE is a movie we ALL need to go out and support TODAY. Having worked in the Senate and public policy for a couple decades, I can assure you that LAST OUNCE OF COURAGE is true-to-life. It will inspire you to be WILLING TO BECOME UNCOMFORTABLE to take a loving stand for Jesus and His timeless truths. Stand-up American church and reclaim your role as watchmen on the wall—loving guardians of the Holy Cause of liberty! After all, Jesus Christ is the source of EVERY blessing we enjoy, including LIBERTY, which can only be sustained IF we His people will consistently pray for our leaders (I Tim. 2), remember His wonderful works and teach them to our children (Ps. 111:4), and work to select God-fearing leaders (Ex. 18:21) who preserve America’s Biblical foundation and the religious, economic, and civil liberty that flows from it. LAST OUNCE OF COURAGE is inspiring, and so profoundly relevant to today!

The movie moved me to tears several times; they whole family was touched (my wife and I and four children: 14, 12, 10, 7). Take the whole family, friends, and your small group or youth group! Liberty is NOT a spectator sport, but it requires that we each PRAY, WORK, GIVE, and VOTE according to Biblical principles.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4
Mark August, age 54 (USA)
Positive—Every AMERICAN needs to see this movie NOW! It’s so well written, and every role was superbly performed. It is heartwarming and insightful. There were four of us who just saw it, and, unfortunately, only 9 other people were there, guess there wasn’t enough publicity. It has an incredible message for every human being, especially Americans. Don’t miss this movie; it can be life changing and definitely a WAKE up call. Don’t want to say anymore, JUST see it!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
Dottie Brawley, age 60+ (USA)
Positive—Amazing movie, it’s about time something worth seeing is in theaters. It’s not Hollywood; it’s real life!!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent!
Michael, age 36 (USA)
Positive—Excellent movie. While some of the scenarios are a little far fetched, we are not so far from being right where this town is presented. This is a great film to bring you back to reality in asking you the question of “what are you doing”? So many died for our country so that we can enjoy the freedom we have today. 1.3M Americans have given their life for us. What can we do in return? I wouldn’t give the acting 5 stars—but overall, I recommend this film.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4
Jon Stonis, age 38 (USA)
Positive—When I first saw the trailer for this film I wasn’t that impressed. I thought it would be one of those cheesy films. To my pleasant surprise, it was a very moving and powerful film! I wept at several parts of the film. I even swooned when I saw the video of the soldiers in Vietnam. To think that all the sacrifices of those brave men throughout America’s history could end up being in vain is tragic! We must take a stand! We cannot let our freedoms be taken away without a fight!

What I really appreciated about the film is that Christ is the center of liberty. Patriotism only goes so far without the Gospel. Jesus Christ is the true patriot. He saved our souls from legions of devils and the flames of hell. While I did take notice of the scene on the stage when a Christian stands in front of the Manger with the flag, I frankly didn’t dwell on it. It’s a shame he couldn’t have just stood a little bit to the side and thus eliminate any potential offense. But since it’s not a big budget film, the director probably didn’t think of that.

I think the message of the film is for all Christians. We have to cease being passive and make a stand against those infringing upon our liberties. If we do not speak up, pernicious people will rob us of our freedom. Our silence is actually agreement. By not reacting or saying anything, we are saying to the world that we are fine with losing our liberty. It’s time the Crusaders return. Not to slay people with the sword, but to wield words and return this country back to it’s Cornerstone. I highly recommend everyone go see this film. This film and “2016: Obama’s America” are the must see films of the year.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4
Sir Filmalot, age 23 (USA)
Positive—This is one of the best films I have seen that honors God and Country and our troops fighting and dying for Freedom. It is definitely a wake up call for America. It would be great if every town and city in America took such a stand this coming Christmas season for” Jesus is the Reason for the season”. At the end of the film everyone in the theater clapped after I started it.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Rev. Philip Clemmetsen, age 64 (USA)
Positive—I am a Catholic Veteran of the Viet Nam era and I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It is particularly relevant for today and what is happening here in the United States of America. I am incensed at the way our rights, especially regarding Christianity, have been rescinded, for the appeasement of a few under the cloak of political correctness. I have in the past and continue to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! And if any of them feel offended, I feel strongly that it is their problem not mine!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Darryl Czajkowski, age 63 (USA)
Positive—My husband and I loved this movie! Both of us cried and were very inspired! It has motivated us to do what we can do, so that we don’t lose our freedoms. Thank you for a wholesome, meaningful, inspiring, touching movie.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
Kathy Huber, age 75 (USA)
Negative
Negative—Remember that kid in school who got in trouble for reading his Bible on his own time? Me neither. Or how about that time Christmas was eradicated from that small town? No? Because it never happened. As Christians, this movie is essentially telling us that we need to band together and defeat that straw man once and for all. Also, if I may, there is one section of this review that I found disturbing. Divorce, while not a part of God’s plan, is sometimes necessary. There are married couples out there that shouldn’t be. Mistakes are tolerated in His eyes, and keeping one’s self in an unhappy situation is not valuing the time we have been given.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: ½
Demian, age 38 (USA)
Positive—I will definitely tell all I see to go watch this great movie. Our pastor has been preaching about this very subject for years now. And my reply to Demian, 38, is “Where have you had your head stuck lately?”, our Rights have been taken away little by little and just like the movie said, “We are just letting the establishment do it.” We are standing by and watching the very things this country was built upon be snatched right out from under us.

Now, folks who closed their eyes to what is happening in this country will be forced to wake up. Why should my rights to see The Ten Commandments displayed in public, be any less important than someone else who doesn’t want to see them? I think this movie needs to be seen by every Christian in America and those who are on the fence!

Forget the film quality, forget the quality of actors. Folks who focus on any aspect of this movie other than the moral value, are trying to avoid the truth of our moral decay in America. Christ is the only one who can save us, and the movie is trying to show us that when we take Christ out of everything, no good comes. God, please bless America.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
Betty Lawson, age 65 (USA)
Comments from young people
Positive—I saw this movie with my mom and sister. It is a great movie, and I suggest everyone watch it. It makes me think about what I have ahead of me and the freedoms I could lose. Go see it!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
Russell, age 15 (USA)

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