A GREAT AWAKENING

(director/writer: Joshua Enck; screenwriter: Jeff Bender, Jonathan Blair; cinematographer: Steve Buckwalter; editor: Jordan K. Graff; music: Chad Marriott; cast: John Paul Sneed (Benjamin Franklin), Joathan Blair (George Whitefield), JT Schaeffer (Benny Franklin Bache), Josh Bates (Alexander Hamilton), Zachary Amos (Oxford Servitor), Robert Bigley (Grotge Mason), Rodney Coe (Robert Morris), Stephen Atherholt (Gunning Bedford Jr.), Tricia Bridgeman (Sally Franklin Bache); Runtime: 129; MPAA Rating: PG-13; producers: Troy Thorne, Steve Buckwalter; Sight & Sound Films/Roadshow Attractions; 2026)

“Unsatisfactory history drama.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

In honor of America’s 250th anniversary Joshua Enck (“I Heard The Bells”) directs this low-budget and unsatisfactory history drama on the American Revolution. It’s a faith-based movie that paints a Christian viewpoint for the revolution that goes against the aims of the Declaration of Independence separating state and religion. Enck co-writes it with Jeff Bender and Jonathan Blair, making the incredulous claim there’s no freedom without believing in Jesus (like really! Other religions therefore are inferior to Christians!). The film is made by a Pennsylvania-based Christian company, Sight & Sound Films, specializing in Bible films.

The non-linear film stretches its time period from 1717 to 1787, but is set mainly in the 1740s.

Benjamin Franklin (John Paul Sneed) is friends with the Rev. George Whitefield (Jonathan Blair), an England born pro-slaver plantation owner and former tavern busboy turned evangelical preacher after graduating from Oxford. He died in 1770. In the 1740s Whitefield became a popular preacher advocating for his “born again” Christian movement, and used Franklin’s print shop in Philly to print his sermons. According to the letters between them, the Rev intends to bring a Protestant revival to the American colonies (he’s credited with growing the Methodist church). The pragmatic Franklin narrates Whitefield’s story to his grand-son (JT Schaeffer).

Whitefield views the ensuing American Revolution as an opportunity for ‘A Great Awakening’ in Christianity.

The dull, didactic, and stage-bound preachy movie takes a disagreeable inflexible Christian position that will probably attract its faith-based target audience and those who choose to rewrite history with their own versions.

REVIEWED ON 4/30/2026  GRADE: D
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