Facing The Giants

Reviewed by Peter Dilley

As the documentary extra of this DVD explains, how a church in Albany, Georgia came to produce a feature film which has achieved considerable success in the US is nothing short of a miracle. Now this DVD is available to show us Brits what all the fuss was about. It tells the story of the Shiloh Eagles, an American high school football team with an unerring ability to lose. Facing defeatism within the team, and questions about his leadership, Eagles' coach Grant Taylor turns things around with a new resolve that they should all "honour God - win or lose," and the conviction that "nothing is impossible with God." Meanwhile, Grant and his wife Brook also grapple with infertility issues and financial difficulties. As faith becomes the driving force within the team and elsewhere at Shiloh, confidence is rebuilt, dissent disappears and family relationships are restored. The climax is the team overcoming huge odds to win a final. On the surface this may sound like a very predictable storyline for a sports-themed film. In fact though, the tight script, the use of CCM music in the soundtrack (there is a CD available separately) and above all moving scenes such as when a mini revival breaks out amongst students at the college make this a powerful spiritual parable. It is always difficult to display faith in action without it appearing cheesily melodramatic but here it comes across with luminous sincerity. A film which will inspire Christians and challenge non-believers, this DVD deserves the widest possible circulation, even if you have a strong dislike of American high school culture.