''Wesley'', also titled ''Wesley: A Heart Transformed Can Change The World'', is a 2009 biopic about

John Wesley John Wesley (; 2 March 1791) was an English cleric, theologian, and evangelist who was a leader of a revival movement within the Church of England known as Methodism. The societies he founded became the dominant form of the independent Meth ...

and

Charles Wesley Charles Wesley (18 December 1707 – 29 March 1788) was an English leader of the Methodist movement. Wesley was a prolific hymnwriter who wrote over 6,500 hymns during his lifetime. His works include "And Can It Be", "Christ the Lord Is Risen T ...

, the founders of the

Methodist Methodism, also called the Methodist movement, is a group of historically related denominations of Protestant Christianity whose origins, doctrine and practice derive from the life and teachings of John Wesley. George Whitefield and John's ...

movement. The movie is based largely on the Wesley brothers' own journals, including John's private journal which was kept in a shorthand-like code that was not translated until the 1980s by Richard Heitzenrater at Duke Divinity School. The film covers the critical period of John Wesley's life as he struggles with his own doubts and insecurities, leading up to his life-changing Aldersgate experience and the early development of the Methodist movement. ''Wesley'' was filmed in a number of authentic 18th century locations in and around Winston-Salem, North Carolina, including St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Unusual for a lower-budget independent film, it features an original orchestral score recorded by a full orchestra. The score, composed by Bruce Kiesling, uses snippets of Wesley hymns and portions composed to echo authentic 18th-century style. Kiesling, who has composed scores for a number of other films, is currently conductor of the Tulare County Orchestra in California. Funded in part by the

Christian History Institute Christian History Institute is a non-profit organization located in Worcester, Pennsylvania, producer or co-producer of several award-winning films, ''the Torchlighters: Heroes of the Faith'' series, and the founder of ''Christian History'' magaz ...

and Comenius Foundation, the movie was directed by John Jackman.

Cast

Burgess Jenkins Burgess Jenkins (born October 24, 1973) is an American actor. He is known for work in the film '' Remember the Titans'' opposite Academy Award winner Denzel Washington; and as Hilary Swank's husband David Winter in '' The Reaping'' (2007). ...

* R. Keith Harris -

June Lockhart June Lockhart (born June 25, 1925) is an American actress, beginning a film career in 1930s & 1940s in such films at ''A Christmas Carol'' and ''Meet Me in St. Louis''. She primarily acted in 1950s and 1960s television, and with performances on ...

Susanna Wesley Susanna Wesley (née Annesley; 20 January 1669 – 23 July 1742) was the daughter of Dr Samuel Annesley and Mary White, and the mother of John Wesley, John and Charles Wesley. “…although she never preached a sermon or published a book o ...

Kevin McCarthy Kevin Owen McCarthy (born January 26, 1965) is an American politician, serving as House Minority Leader in the United States House of Representatives since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he served as House Majority Leader under spea ...

- Bishop Rider *Michael Huie - Samuel Wesley *Rusty Martin - Young John Wesley *Carrie Anne Hunt - Sophy Hopkey *Leanne Bernard - Grace Murray *Lloyd Arneach -

Tomochichi Tomochichi (to-mo-chi-chi') (c. 1644 – October 5, 1741) was the head chief of a Yamacraw town on the site of present-day Savannah, Georgia, in the 18th century. He gave his land to James Oglethorpe to build the city of Savannah. He remains a p ...

*Hilary Russo -

Mary Musgrove Mary Musgrove (Muscogee name, Coosaponakeesa, c. 1700–1765) was a leading figure in early Georgia history. Mary was the daughter of Edward Griffin, a trader from Charles Town in the Province of Carolina, of English heritage, and a Muscogee Cre ...

*Bill Oberst Jr. -

Peter Boehler Peter Boehler (born Petrus Böhler; December 31, 1712 – April 27, 1775) was a German-English Moravian bishop and missionary who was influential in the Moravian Church in the Americas and England during the eighteenth century. Boehler was one o ...

*Erik Nelson - Mr. Delamotte *Roger Willie - Cusseta *James France - Wealthy Mine Owner *Kai Elijah Hamilton - Mob Man (Cameo)

Reception

Jeff Paton from '' The Arminian'' magazine called it "Impressive for a religious film;" but criticized the poor effects and overplayed ideas of "a Wesleyan Quadrilateral, which was not a large part of Wesley's emphasis or ministry".

Festivals and awards

''Wesley'' has been featured in numerous international film festivals, including: * 2010 Bayou City Inspirational Film Festival * 2010 Phoenix International Christian Film Festival * 2010 CEVMA Film Festival, Milan, Italy * 2010 International Christian Film Festival, Port Talbot, Wales * 2010 Heart of England Film Festival, Worcester, UK * 2010 Gideon Film Festival The film won several awards, including: * 2010 Platinum FEXY Award (motion graphics/CGI special FX) – TechniCine, Foundery Pictures, ''Wesley'' * 2010 Platinum EMPixx Award, CGI/Special Effects – TechniCine, Foundery Pictures * 2010 Silver Telly Award (Religion & Spirituality) * 2010 Bronze Telly Award (History & Biography) * 2010 Bronze Telly Award (Lighting) * 2010 Bronze Telly Award (CGI/Special Effects) * 2010 Silver Crown, "Best Drama over $250,000," 2010 International Christian Visual Media Association Crown Awards * 2010 Bronze Crown for "Best Picture," 2010 International Christian Visual Media Association Crown Awards * 2010 First Place Feature Film Competition, Bayou City Inspirational Film Festival

References

External links

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Circuit Rider Magazine Review

Reading Eagle Review

DOVE Foundation Review

United Methodist Reporter Review
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wesley (Film) 2009 films Films about Christianity Films directed by John Jackman Biographical films about religious leaders 2000s English-language films