Reviewers Love Woodlawn

Sports Illustrated
“Regardless of religious conviction, Woodlawn shares a universal truth: Winning is sweeter when you play for a larger cause.”

Gannett News Service
“It’s beautifully shot. … And it’s impossible not to recognize the skill and power of the way the filmmakers tell their story.” Read More Here

Movieguide
“It looks like a big budget Hollywood movie and has a message that is both relevant and needed. … It’s inspiring entertainment for the whole family.” Read More Here

Huffington Post
“A combination of “Remember the Titans,” “Facing the Giants,” and “Rudy.” … These are three winners from the past and WOODLAWN deserves to be in the winners category too.” Read More Here

Dove Foundation
WOODLAWN is a winner! This splendid, action-packed, dramatic and compelling movie features extraordinary performances from Sean Astin, C. Thomas Howell, Jon Voight, Nic Bishop and Caleb Castille.”

The Hollywood Reporter
“With its well-staged gridiron sequences and solid ensemble performances, WOODLAWN may even manage to lure viewers away from their televised football games …” Read More Here

Plugged In
“Can one person really make a difference? Is it possible to overcome hostility and hatred with faith, hope and love? WOODLAWN’s inspiring answer to these questions is a resounding yes.” Read More Here

Quad-City Times
WOODLAWN is like an answer to a prayer. … It’s an all-around win.”Read More Here

Zondra Hughes, Huffington Post
"Solid performances by Nicholas Bishop, Jon Voight, Sean Astin, C. Thomas Howell and Sherri Shepherd (in a refreshing dramatic role), as well as powerful action shots from the gritty football field, give Woodlawn the Hollywood action movie feel that makes you forget it's a Christian movie."

The Christian Post
“The story is amazing, but the movie is solid, too. (Sean) Astin, (Jon) Voight and (Caleb) Castille turn in fine performances, and the on-screen football action—despite not being the centerpiece of the film—is the best I've ever seen in a football movie.” Read More Here

Variety
“The overall narrative mix of history lesson, gridiron action and spiritual uplift is effectively and satisfyingly sustained.” Read More Here

Los Angeles Times
“The nicely shot WOODLAWN gets high marks for its attention to period detail and committed performances.” Read More Here

Endorsements

“I saw this movie and, I am telling you, take your kids… (Woodlawn) is going to inspire you. It’s terrific! It’s awesome!"

Sean Hannity

"I want to challenge high school sports coaches and players everywhere to go see Woodlawn!"

Tony Dungy, Super Bowl Champion Head Coach

"Powerful true story of faith, hope, love, and reconciliation.”

Head Coach Hugh Freeze, Ole Miss Football

“I coached against Bear Bryant in the late 1970s. Tony Nathan, the central figure in Woodlawn, and Jeff Rutledge, who was the quarterback, played on those Alabama teams. Woodlawn was very well done, was inspirational, and true to the actual conditions of those times.”
Tom Osborne, Three-Time National Championship head coach, Nebraska football

"Dynamic movie about the power of the Gospel to bridge any racial or cultural divide and the influence of sports to lead positive social change."
Benjamin Watson, New Orleans Saints Tight End

"I want to encourage you and the leaders of your church to embrace fully, my brother-in-Christ and to embrace fully the vision that God has put in his heart. 'Cause I'm convinced God can do more in a moment than we can ever do in a lifetime."

Ronnie Floyd, Southern Baptist Pastor & President

"Woodlawn is much more than a football movie, it's a story that can really minister to everyone. Growing up as a student athlete, then having played and coached at the professional level and now coaching high school, I could relate to the coaches and the players on so many levels. There were definitely men in my life who filled those roles. I was a coach's son and had an amazing Dad and coach, then playing for Coach Bowden, I was blessed to have more than a Coach but a spiritual role model. Those men and my other coaches as well, made all the difference in the man I am today. Coach Gerelds in the movie is cut form the same cloth. He made the kind of life impact on his players that I aspire to make on mine. It is for those very reasons that I have felt called in this season of my life to coach high school boys. Just like my coaches, I too want to be a part of their development into being men of integrity and character who work hard, want to be competitive but who also are on the winning team with God. It was so awesome to see how God can bring enemies together in the name of Jesus. The movie really captured how the Spirit of God will give you the victory in life when you allow Him to lead."

Charlie Ward, Heisman Trophy Winner & NBA Player

"Woodlawn is the best Christian Film I have ever seen "

Pastor Brian Brodersen, Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, CA

"We showed WOODLAWN to our weekly FCA meeting and what happened afterwards was nothing short of an epic response to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As all of the athletes stood, it was as if the Spirit of God blew a tidal wave right over me. Unbelievable. It left me speechless. Over half of our crowd of 250 athletes stood to commit or recommit their lives to Christ and to take a stand for Jesus. There was a great buzz around campus the next day. Several have mentioned to me that their lives were changed forever. That’s what happens when God shows up."

Pat Ford, chaplain, West Texas A&M University

"I loved the movie WOODLAWN. It combines two of my favorite things: football and Jesus Christ. It was unbelievable. This movie is relevant for today because it deals with race relations and it shows how we can, through the power of the Holy Spirit, deal with those issues today and come together."

Head Coach Jamey Chadwell, Charleston Southern University Football

"Woodlawn is a must see. Great movie!"

Eric Weems, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver

"Football fan? The story of Tony Nathan and Woodlawn High School is the movie for you!"

Josh Brown, New York Giants kicker

"Woodlawn is a powerful, timely film."

Thi'sl, Hip Hop Recording Artist, Full Ride Music Group

"Woodlawn shows the spirit of what the whole Christian movement is all about. True competition is about the joy of coming together and being a part of something bigger than yourself. That’s the message in Woodlawn. It’s bigger than the game of football. It’s bigger than wins and losses. It’s bigger than one or two individuals."

Kurt Warner, NFL Network analyst and former Super Bowl MVP

"Woodlawn is the perfect example of why I believe that with God all things are possible. To some, this story will be unbelievable. The fact that it is true and that these incredible events and moments actually happened makes it a remarkable story of how faith in God can create real love and change lives and communities. Here's hoping for a similar "Jesus Revolution" in our day."

Jacob Tamme, Atlanta Falcons Tight End

"WOODLAWN is a must see film that joins the ranks of faith and family films that spread a message of faith, justice and God's redemptive grace for the human family."
Evangelist Alveda King, Niece of Dr. Martin Luther King

"Powerful, culturally relevant and deeply moving. A must-see."

Karla Dial, Focus on the Family Citizen Magazine Editor

"Spectacular"

Bill Rasmussen, ESPN Founder

"As a perfectionist in music, I've been a long time fan of films, and it's incredible to see God's heart and the attention to detail here!! Finally, a faith-based movie that's great on a quality level, and not just because the message was great."

Trevor McNevan, lead singer, Thousand Foot Krutch

"A film for this generation"

Michael Catt, "Courageous" & "Fireproof" Executive Producer

"I guarantee you will love this movie!"

Pastor Dave Stone, Southeast Christian Church

"If you love Christ and if you love football, Woodlawn the movie is for you! True story that showcases what happens when ‘God Shows Up!’ Set aside the weekend of Oct 16th to go to Woodlawn."

Brian Doyle, Iron Sharpens Iron Founder and President

"A riveting and profound testament to the influence FAITH can have on a football team, a high school and a city during one of the most socially challenging and tumultuous times in our nation’s history. Our country faces similar realties today, which makes the movie’s narrative both compelling and impactful."

Jim Caldwell, Detroit Lions Head Coach

"I was privileged to prescreen this amazing movie. Make plans to see it."

Lauryn Williams, Summer Olympic gold medalist sprinter and Winter Olympic silver medalist bobsledder

A moving film about what happens when faith in Jesus collides with a radically transformed heart."

Jim Daly, President, Focus on the Family

"This movie will be transforming for everyone who sees it."

Dr. Tony Evans, OakCliff Bible Fellowship Pastor

"If C.S. Lewis had written the screenplay for Rocky or Hoosiers, the resulting movie would have probably been a lot like Woodlawn. I can’t wait to see it again. Woodlawn is a brilliant film."

Andy Andrews, New York Times bestselling author of The Noticer & The Traveler's Gift

"Be sure to put the movie Woodlawn on your must see list. It is terrific!"

Mike Jarvis, Former NCAA men’s basketball coach

“Woodlawn was awesome! I had chills running through my body! The Jesus Movement is definitely needed right now. Especially in such a time as this.”

Tamika Catchings, WNBA champion, MVP and three-time Olympic gold medalist

"It's more than a movie...Woodlawn is a movement!"

Vivian Berryhill, Coalition of Pastors Spouses

"Woodlawn is one the most powerful faith-based films I have ever seen. This is more than a film about a historic football game; Woodlawn is the story of God’s power breaking down the walls of racial prejudice.

Though set in the ‘70s, Woodlawn is so current and relevant for today, addressing the same problems that continue to divide us in America. A massive spiritual revival known as the Jesus Movement changed the people in this story, and my hope is that God will do it again.

I wholeheartedly endorse it and encourage you to see it. Take along someone who does not know the Lord yet as well!"

Greg Laurie, Harvest Crusade

"Not only an amazing movie, but an incredibly important one as well!"

Bart Millard, Mercy Me

"WOODLAWN has a powerful message about team and what happens when a group of people come together with a singleness of purpose. The message is very relevant for the things that are going on now. It took love and courage to overcome the issues our nation faced back then, and that’s what it’s going to take today."

Head Coach Dabo Swinney, Clemson football