Film Review: A Great Awakening

Yesterday, as part of celebrating American250, I watched the historical fiction movie A Great Awakening produced by Sight & Sound Theatres during a visit to Elm Draught House Cinema in Millbury, MA. Featuring talented actors, its signature musical style, and beautiful cinematography, the movie introduced the story of renowned traveling minister George Whitefield through his somewhat embellished relationship with Founding Father Benjamin Franklin. At two hours and nine minutes, the film captivates a receptive audience with a carefully constructed storyline, and yet it does not cover some key points in the lives of its subjects.

For a brief summary, the film splits its time between the debates in Independence Hall of Philadelphia, PA leading up to the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, and the lives of Franklin and Whitefield. The film used the conceit of Franklin describing his life and friendships to his adult grandson, Benny, while at the family printshop as a narrative device throughout the film. While sometimes a bit too staged for my taste, it works well for audiences accustomed to the Sight & Sound Theatres performances, especially those less familiar with the history.

As for the historical accuracy of the movie, in many cases, the script did a good job. It is worth noting that this film, like all media, can be viewed as a form of propaganda. The fifty-year-old Sight & Sound Theatres organization is dedicated to producing family-friendly, Christian-oriented entertainment, and their interpretation of the places and characters reflected that choice. The architecture and landscapes found throughout the film were accurate even when filmed on sound stages, although a film geek might occasionally spot something not quiet right with the lighting. As for the history, the film did not shy away from many unpleasant aspects of the story, portraying Whitefield’s eating disorder while at Oxford University and briefly alluding to his status as a slaveholder, although his dialogue justifying the practice inaccurately reflected his views. One of Franklin’s extra-marital affairs was briefly shown, although the film suggested a one-time occurrence rather than a lifestyle. The film also trended towards anachronistic multiculturalism, giving protagonists dialogue to reflect modern, progressive views on race, gender, and socioeconomic status while antagonists were nearly caricatures of antiquated thought.

Some omissions and modifications were more glaring. The relationship between John and Charles Wesley, brothers who founded Methodist Christianity, and George Whitefield was showed as entirely positive, although they clashed over interpretations of the Bible and the morality of slavery. The early days of Whitefield’s first to America were skipped, likely since he landed in Georgia where the Wesley brothers had recently been expelled for bad behavior. His later activity in Georgia included building an orphanage where children were allegedly required to pray all night, campaigning for the legalization of slavery, and running a plantation thanks to newly legalized slavery. The film contained no mention of Whitefield’s wife, whom he neglected while on his many trips, nor his relationship with the Old South Presbyterian Church in Newburyport, MA, where he is buried. Perhaps the most baffling inclusion, although in-line with the mission of Sight & Sound Theatres, was an apparent late-in-life conversion experience involving Franklin, who in reality was a deist.

This deviation from reality is understandable, and expected, when considering the intention behind the movie. However, another set of inaccuracies reflected my pet peeves: incorrect costume design, hairstyles, and levels of cleanliness. The film was intended to cover seventy years in England and the American colonies, and yet there were few perceivable change in clothing style, defaulting to a generally late colonial look. This may have been forgiven if all sane characters kept their hair tied back and heads covered by bonnets or hats. This was not the case, and multiple young female characters ran around outside with loose, uncovered hair, was was considered highly inappropriate at the time. Multiple characters in Philadelphia appeared dirty but were otherwise well-dressed (despite the lack of hats) and well-fed. While bathing in the late post-medieval period happened less often than today, the phrase “cleanliness is next to godliness” was widely known.

If you are looking for a documentary, this is not the right place. However, if you are of a specific religious persuasion looking for an uplifting way to spend a few hours with family, this is an excellent choice. Few productions are as high quality or thoughtfully created than those of Sight & Sound Theatres, and I look forward to watching future films.