Ride, The MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: +3

With THE RIDE, Billy Graham's WORLD WIDE PICTURES has re-entered feature film production after not producing a feature film for over 10 years. And even more interesting, the film is being exhibited in secular movie theaters with paid admission tickets just like commercial secular movies. THE RIDE is the poignant story of a rodeo bull rider named Smokey Banks (Michael Biehn) whose life has gotten out of control and his interaction with a 14 year old Christian boy, Danny (Brock Pierce), who has cancer. When Smokey wrecks a truck owned by the operator of a boy's Christian ranch in Arizona, he is required to pay for it by helping one of the boys at the ranch, Danny, learn to ride bulls. This brings on both some humorous as well as touching experiences. Smokey reluctantly becomes friends with the boys at the ranch and slowly becomes one of the ranch family. But he still resists becoming a Christian because he feels God is unfair. Even though Danny is fighting cancer in his young body, he gets to participate in a bull riding event at a local rodeo where he performs very well. The film draws to a close with some very moving and inspiring developments.

The overall theme of the film is God's love and care of those who trust him and how God can draw a renegade, unbelieving rascal like Smokey to him. And the gospel message is presented briefly by Billy's Graham son, Franklin, in a rodeo tent service. Danny's faith and trust in God is a powerful witness to both Smokey and Danny's friends at the boy's ranch. Undoubtedly to qualify for a PG rating, one moderately rough word and a mild slang obscenity are included in the dialogue, along with some fist fighting and implied beer drinking in the local cowboy bars. Using this approach, the film is more likely to attract secular audiences. THE RIDE is an engrossing, Christian film which wins our wholehearted recommendation. It is also available for showing to church groups. (Ph. 800-733-4997)

Preview Reviewer: John Evans
Distributor: World Wide Pictures, Inc., P.O. Box 59235, Minneapolis, MN 55459-0235