John Carter Cash Movies

He remains one of the true icons of late 20th and early 21st century evangelism. But what of his early years -- the years that led him into full-time ministry? As scripted and directed by acclaimed actor Robby Benson (The Chosen), this fact-based historical drama depicts Billy Graham (here played by Armie Hammer) as an earnest young man whose life is irrevocably changed via his interaction with another up-and-coming follower of God, Charles Templeton. Though fast friends, the men reach a crossroads and fork off in opposing directions when Templeton's faith buckles beneath the weight of the scientific revolution and the evidence that he perceives as an unshakable threat to Christianity. The disbelief that Templeton demonstrates, in turn, convinces Graham to take the altar call in the Depression-era South, in an effort to bring people to God who find themselves mired in agnosticism and atheism. Martin Landau portrays Charles Templeton as an old man, Josh Turner plays George Beverly Shea, and Stefanie Butler co-stars as Graham's wife, Ruth Bell Graham. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

James Mangold's Walk the Line tells the life story of country music legend Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix), focusing primarily on the long courtship he had with June Carter (Reese Witherspoon). The film is structured as an extended flashback opening with Cash readying to take the stage at his historic Folsom Prison Concert. The film touches on his childhood, relating a horrific early incident from his life and establishing the troubled relationship he would have with his father (Robert Patrick). Cash joins the military and leaves home. During his time in the armed services he begins writing songs and romances a hometown girl (Ginnifer Goodwin). After the end of his duty he settles down and attempts to begin a music career, but his wife has trouble adjusting to his dreams. Cash auditions for Sam Phillips (Dallas Roberts), signs to Sun Records, and soon finds himself on tour with a roster of young soon-to-be legends that includes Elvis Presley (Tyler Hilton) and Jerry Lee Lewis (Waylon Malloy Payne). On this tour he meets June Carter, the daughter of the famous Carter family, and they take a liking to each other, although she refuses any serious advances from him. Cash gains world-wide fame thanks in part to the inspiration he gets from June, but eventually his marriage crumbles and he develops a serious drug addiction. The film is based on Cash's autobiographies. Phoenix and Witherspoon performed all of their own singing in the movie, just as Sissy Spacek and Beverly D'Angelo did in Coal Miner's Daughter a quarter-century before. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi