Wesley (film)
Encyclopedia
Wesley is a 2009
biopic about John Wesley
and Charles Wesley
, the founders of the Methodist movement. The movie is based largely on the Wesley brother's own journals, including John's private journal which was kept in a shorthand-like code that was not translated until the 1980s by Dr. Richard Heitzenrater at Duke Divinity School
.
The movie covers the critical period of John Wesley's life as he struggles with his own doubts and insecurities, leading up to his life-changing Aldersgate experience and the early development of the Methodist movement.
The movie was filmed in a number of authentic 18th century locations in and around Winston-Salem,NC., including St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
Unusual for a lower-budget independent film, the movie features an original orchestral score recorded by a full orchestra. The score, composed by Bruce Kiesling, uses snippets of Wesley hymns and portions composed to echo authentic 18th century style. Kiesling, who has composed scores for a number of other films, is currently conductor of the Tulare County Orchestra in California.
Funded in part by the Christian History Institute
and Comenius Foundation
, the movie was directed by John Jackman
.
The film has won several awards, including:
2009 in film
The year 2009 saw the release of many films. Seven made the top 50 list of highest-grossing films, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that as of this year, their Best Picture category would consist of ten nominees, rather than five .- Highest-grossing films :Please note...
biopic about John Wesley
John Wesley
John Wesley was a Church of England cleric and Christian theologian. Wesley is largely credited, along with his brother Charles Wesley, as founding the Methodist movement which began when he took to open-air preaching in a similar manner to George Whitefield...
and Charles Wesley
Charles Wesley
Charles Wesley was an English leader of the Methodist movement, son of Anglican clergyman and poet Samuel Wesley, the younger brother of Anglican clergyman John Wesley and Anglican clergyman Samuel Wesley , and father of musician Samuel Wesley, and grandfather of musician Samuel Sebastian Wesley...
, the founders of the Methodist movement. The movie is based largely on the Wesley brother's own journals, including John's private journal which was kept in a shorthand-like code that was not translated until the 1980s by Dr. Richard Heitzenrater at Duke Divinity School
Duke Divinity School
The Divinity School at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina is one of thirteen seminaries founded and supported by the United Methodist Church. It has 39 full time and 18 part time faculty and over 500 full time students. The current dean of The Divinity School is Richard B. Hays, who replaced...
.
The movie covers the critical period of John Wesley's life as he struggles with his own doubts and insecurities, leading up to his life-changing Aldersgate experience and the early development of the Methodist movement.
The movie was filmed in a number of authentic 18th century locations in and around Winston-Salem,NC., including St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
Unusual for a lower-budget independent film, the movie features an original orchestral score recorded by a full orchestra. The score, composed by Bruce Kiesling, uses snippets of Wesley hymns and portions composed to echo authentic 18th century style. Kiesling, who has composed scores for a number of other films, is currently conductor of the Tulare County Orchestra in California.
Funded in part by the Christian History Institute
Christian History Institute
Christian History Institute is a non-profit organization located in Worcester, Pennsylvania, producer or co-producer of several award-winning films, the Torchlighters: Heroes of the Faith series, and the founder of Christian History magazine.-History:...
and Comenius Foundation
Comenius Foundation (US)
Comenius Foundation is a U.S.-based 501 nonprofit organization that uses media to promote education and faith. Named after pioneering educator and Moravian Bishop John Amos Comenius, the Foundation seeks to use modern media to promote the ideas of Comenius...
, the movie was directed by John Jackman
John Jackman
John Jackman is an American filmmaker, author, and Christian pastor. His filmmaking work has primarily emphasized historical faith related topics. He has written widely on digital filmmaking technology, film lighting, and digital special effects...
.
Cast
- Burgess JenkinsBurgess JenkinsBurgess Jenkins is a film actor known for work in the 2000 film Remember The Titans opposite Academy Award winner Denzel Washington; as Hilary Swank's husband David Winter in The Reaping...
- John WesleyJohn WesleyJohn Wesley was a Church of England cleric and Christian theologian. Wesley is largely credited, along with his brother Charles Wesley, as founding the Methodist movement which began when he took to open-air preaching in a similar manner to George Whitefield... - R. Keith Harris - Charles WesleyCharles WesleyCharles Wesley was an English leader of the Methodist movement, son of Anglican clergyman and poet Samuel Wesley, the younger brother of Anglican clergyman John Wesley and Anglican clergyman Samuel Wesley , and father of musician Samuel Wesley, and grandfather of musician Samuel Sebastian Wesley...
- June LockhartJune LockhartJune Lockhart is an American actress, primarily in 1950s and 1960s television, but with memorable performances on stage and in film too. She is remembered as the mother in two TV series, Lassie and Lost in Space. She also portrayed Dr...
- Susanna WesleySusanna WesleySusanna Wesley , born Susanna Annesley, was the daughter of Dr. Samuel Annesley and Mary White, and the mother of John and Charles Wesley.... - Kevin McCarthyKevin McCarthy-Politicians:*Kevin McCarthy , United States Representative from California's 22nd congressional district*Kevin McCarthy , member of the Iowa House of Representatives...
- Bishop Ryder - Michael Huie - Samuel Wesley
- Rusty Martin - Young John Wesley
- Carrie Anne Hunt - Sophy Hopkey
- Leanne Bernard - Grace Murray
- Lloyd Arneach - TomochichiTomochichiTomochichi was a seventeenth century Creek leader and the head chief of a Yamacraw town on the site of present day Savannah, Georgia. He remains a prominent character of early Georgia history...
- Hilary Russo - Mary MusgroveMary MusgroveMary Musgrove facilitated in the development of Colonial Georgia and became an important intermediary between Creek Indians and the English colonists. She bridged the gap between two distinctly different societies and became a cultural mediator, who not only translated but counseled those who...
- Bill Oberst Jr. - Peter BöhlerPeter BöhlerPeter Böhler or Peter Boehler was a German-born Moravian missionary and bishop who was influential in the Moravian Church in the Americas and England during the eighteenth century. Böhler was one of the many missionaries sent out to the Americas in the early 18th century by the leader of the...
- Erik Nelson - Mr. Delamotte
- Roger Willie - Cusseta
- James France - Wealthy Mine Owner
Festivals & Awards
Wesley has been featured in numerous international film festivals, including:- 2010 Bayou City Inspirational Film Festival
- 2010 Phoenix International Christian Film Festival
- 2010 CEVMA Film Festival, Milan, Italy
- 2010 International Christian Film Festival, Port Talbot, Wales
- 2010 Heart of England Film Festival, Worcester, UK
- 2010 Gideon Film Festival
The film has won several awards, including:
- 2010 Platinum FEXY Award (motion graphics/CGI special FX)
- 2010 Silver Telly Award (Religion & Spirituality)
- 2010 Bronze Telly Award (History & Biography)
- 2010 Bronze Telly Award (Lighting)
- 2010 Bronze Telly Award (CGI/Special Effects)
- SILVER AWARD for "Best Drama over $250,000," 2010 International Christian Visual Media Association CROWN AWARDS
- BRONZE AWARD for "Best Picture," 2010 International Christian Visual Media Association CROWN AWARDS
- 2010 First Place Feature Film Competition, Bayou City Inspirational Film Festival