Billy Graham film coming to Christian retail

Written by Eric Tiansay

Thursday, 04 February 2010 02:34 PM America/New_York

Billy: The Early Years--about the genesis of Billy Graham's ministry--will be released on DVD March 16 by Phase 4 Films and distributed to Christian retail by BMG Distribution.

Directed by Robby Benson, the film stars Armie Hammer (Veronica Mars, Flicka) as the young evangelist and takes viewers through Graham's early years, as he meets his future wife, Ruth, and forms a friendship with Charles Templeton. In addition, the film features performances by Martin Landau, Stefanie Butler, Lindsay Wagner and country singer Josh Turner as George Beverly Shea.

Rated PG for thematic material--including some disturbing images, brief language and smoking--Billy received lukewarm reviews when it was released in October 2008 in 280-plus screens in the Southeast and Texas.

Retailing for $29.99, the DVD includes a 2009 sermon by Billy Graham, a behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of the film, photo gallery, theatrical trailer and Spanish subtitles.