Machine Gun Preacher (2011) Gerard Butler, Michele Monagham, Souleymane Sy Savane. How can a story be propaganda if you make a film about what the person themselves has put on paper? Sam Childers wrote a book about what he did and now everyone is saying, in effect - "no you didn't. We know better. It was this way. You are a jerk and don't know what you're talking about!" I think people don't WANT it to be true, because that makes them feel superior.


But Sam thinks he did what he wrote. I have watched it twice and taken some notes. Remember - it is HIStory and we, the viewers, can't change facts to suit our preferances.

The films prologue sets the theme. It's 2003 and the atrocities in Sudan are unbelieveable. Then we jump to what Sam's life was in 2003. Drugs, robberies, prison, etc. It is HIS story from then on and he pulls no punches in how bad and lost he was.

He was rescued by his wife Lynn and the church. Because he knows what it feels like to finally walk into a place of worship and feel so alone, he decides to build a storefront that says "come as you are - we need you." Which is the Christian message. Not propaganda. Sam is successful in getting things going. He has a construction buisiness and his church and is inspired to go to Africa to help build a school. It is the changing point for him. He is compelled to go back again and again to do something for the youngsters living in Hell.

He finally realizes that no matter how "good" the missionaries are, the Kona army will keep burning down everything, kidnapping children, killing their parents, and worse, until stopped. The 'government' has no help for those out in the bush country. So he grabs a gun and takes a truck and the mission guards and goes to get what kids he can and bring them back to safety. And they do have to kill some of Kona's thugs.

And he doesn't sugar-coat how the other missionary communities feel about him or visa-versa. The young woman says to him "you are a mercenary." But he only knows he is rescuing some of the children. That's it for him

And it is HIS story. It's his P-O-V. I can't fault him for that.

Available on DVD and pay-per-view.

The cast are good.  Gerard Butler is especially good in the beginning scenes showing the bad-boy biker persona.  The same qualities that made Sam an addict make him successful in other persuits.  Singleness of purpose, and a laser-beam on what he wants to do.   And of course, Butler is fine in the action scenes.  Looked real to me.

Michele is good as his no-nonsence wife.  She loves him but stands up for herself.  Michael Shannon as Sams buddy, doesn't get much to do.  The actors in the Africa segment are all good, but Savane is a strong presence.  Madeline Carroll, as daughter Paige, is sweet and normal.  Wants some attention from her Dad. 

The film was engrossing to me. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1586752/