The Cross and the Switchblade (film)
Encyclopedia
The Cross and the Switchblade is a 1970 christian film
starring Pat Boone
as David Wilkerson
and Erik Estrada
as Nicky Cruz
, the teen gang member whose life was transformed by Wilkerson's ministry. The film was based a novel
under the same name. The movie was dismissed by secular critics as uninteresting. However, it has been viewed by an estimated 50 million people in over 30 languages in 150 countries, according to World Film Crusade.
street gang.
(Pat Boone
) is the small-town preacher who gets caught in the shadows of a crime-ridden neighborhood in New York City
. He encounters a gang led by Nicky Cruz
(Erik Estrada
), and David brings a message of hope to the angry youths. Guided by the street-wise Little Bo (Jo-Ann Robinson), David quickly learns about the neighborhood and how to approach the cynical juveniles.In the end they start a center called Teen Challenge to support teens.
Christian film
The Christian film industry is an umbrella term for films containing a Christian -themed message or moral, produced by openly Christian filmmakers to a Christian audience....
starring Pat Boone
Pat Boone
Charles Eugene "Pat" Boone is an American singer, actor and writer who has been a successful pop singer in the United States during the 1950s and early 1960s. He covered black artists' songs and sold more copies than his black counterparts...
as David Wilkerson
David Wilkerson
David Ray Wilkerson was an American Christian evangelist, best known for his book The Cross and the Switchblade...
and Erik Estrada
Erik Estrada
Henry Enrique "Erik" Estrada is an American police officer and actor, known for his co-starring lead role in the 1977–1983 United States police television series CHiPs...
as Nicky Cruz
Nicky Cruz
Nicky Cruz is a Christian evangelist, the founder of Nicky Cruz Outreach, an evangelistic Christian ministry. He was also once the director of Teen Challenge, serving under David Wilkerson before founding another ministry home himself in California...
, the teen gang member whose life was transformed by Wilkerson's ministry. The film was based a novel
The Cross and the Switchblade
The Cross and the Switchblade is a book written in 1963 by pastor David Wilkerson with John and Elizabeth Sherrill. It tells the true story of Wilkerson's first five years in New York City, where he ministered to disillusioned youth, encouraging them to turn away from the drugs and gang violence...
under the same name. The movie was dismissed by secular critics as uninteresting. However, it has been viewed by an estimated 50 million people in over 30 languages in 150 countries, according to World Film Crusade.
Summary
Crusading minister gets involved in the lives of members of a New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
street gang.
Plot
Based on a true story, David WilkersonDavid Wilkerson
David Ray Wilkerson was an American Christian evangelist, best known for his book The Cross and the Switchblade...
(Pat Boone
Pat Boone
Charles Eugene "Pat" Boone is an American singer, actor and writer who has been a successful pop singer in the United States during the 1950s and early 1960s. He covered black artists' songs and sold more copies than his black counterparts...
) is the small-town preacher who gets caught in the shadows of a crime-ridden neighborhood in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He encounters a gang led by Nicky Cruz
Nicky Cruz
Nicky Cruz is a Christian evangelist, the founder of Nicky Cruz Outreach, an evangelistic Christian ministry. He was also once the director of Teen Challenge, serving under David Wilkerson before founding another ministry home himself in California...
(Erik Estrada
Erik Estrada
Henry Enrique "Erik" Estrada is an American police officer and actor, known for his co-starring lead role in the 1977–1983 United States police television series CHiPs...
), and David brings a message of hope to the angry youths. Guided by the street-wise Little Bo (Jo-Ann Robinson), David quickly learns about the neighborhood and how to approach the cynical juveniles.In the end they start a center called Teen Challenge to support teens.
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Pat Boone Pat Boone Charles Eugene "Pat" Boone is an American singer, actor and writer who has been a successful pop singer in the United States during the 1950s and early 1960s. He covered black artists' songs and sold more copies than his black counterparts... |
David Wilkerson David Wilkerson David Ray Wilkerson was an American Christian evangelist, best known for his book The Cross and the Switchblade... |
| Erik Estrada Erik Estrada Henry Enrique "Erik" Estrada is an American police officer and actor, known for his co-starring lead role in the 1977–1983 United States police television series CHiPs... |
Nicky Cruz Nicky Cruz Nicky Cruz is a Christian evangelist, the founder of Nicky Cruz Outreach, an evangelistic Christian ministry. He was also once the director of Teen Challenge, serving under David Wilkerson before founding another ministry home himself in California... |
| Jo-Ann Robinson | Little Bo |