- Long before faith-based films became a regular feature of mainstream movie theaters, there was "The Cross and The Switchblade," the story of Pastor David Wilkerson and gang member Nicky Cruz.
- David Wilkerson is a relatively-young parish priest in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania. With nominal funds, insufficient even to get a hotel room which forces him to sleep in his car, his church sends him to New York City to bring the word of God to the young men and youth of the Egyptian Kings, who are on trial for their violent gang activities. David hopes God will be their salvation. Although David is not allowed to get near the Egyptian Kings, his trip to the courthouse garners much publicity; because of it, David meets a tough street youth named Little Bo, who offers to introduce David to the main gangs still out on the streets, namely the mixed-white Mau Maus and the predominantly-Black Bishops, who are fighting each other for territory. Who the gangs hate more than each other, however, are the authorities. David turns his attentions to the two gangs and wants them to know that God loves them no matter who they are or what they do, and in doing so will guide them to make the right choices in life. He and his messages may be difficult to penetrate into the groups, but the general consensus is that if he can get through to Nicky Cruz, one of the leaders of the Mau Maus, he will be able to get through to anyone. But David hopes to get through to them all at his own risk, especially as Nicky continually threatens him. Another whom he sees who is especially in trouble is Rosa, Nicky's "girl," who will do anything to get the money to get her two-injections-per-day heroin fixes.—Huggo
- Long before faith-based films became a regular feature of mainstream movie theaters, there was "The Cross and The Switchblade." The film was made squarely within the Hollywood system, yet was set apart by its producers' unashamedly Christian vision. It went on to become a worldwide ministry phenomenon and it stands among the early sparks that ignited today's growing Christian film movement. Based on David Wilkerson's same-titled 1963 autobiography, the film depicts the unlikely efforts of a "skinny country preacher" to bring change to the desperate lives of gang members living and dying on the mean streets of New York City. Among those whose lives were transformed was notorious gang-leader Nicky Cruz who went on to lead a decades-long outreach to gang members and other distressed young people. Wilkerson's mission to tell lost and hurting young people that there was a better way through Jesus Christ, blossomed into the Times Square Church and the international ministry of World Challenge whose mission is to bring lasting holistic change to individuals and communities. Although this 1970 film bears the style of a different era, the life-changing solution that David Wilkerson brought to desperate lives remains forever relevant. And 50 years later, for all its retro elements the film still stands up to scrutiny as a well-written, stylishly-produced movie featuring sincerely passionate performances. The story lives on in the book, in this film, but more importantly in the legacy of lives transformed by the message that no one is ever so far gone that they cannot find the way home.—William Carroll
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By what name was The Cross and the Switchblade (1970) officially released in India in English?
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