Raising the Bar, the Alma Richards Story

Another T. C Christianson film! I always love those!

T. C. Christensen's Raising the Bar: The Alma Richards Story is an uplifting and beautifully crafted biographical drama that sheds light on one of America's forgotten Olympians. The film follows the inspiring true story of Alma Richards, an Utah farm boy and a Member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who defied the odds to become the first Utahn to win an Olympic gold medal.

Christensen, known for his faith-affirming films like The Cokeville Miracle and 17 Miracles brings his signature sincerity and reverence to this historical faith filled story., The film's heart is undeniable, and its message is clear: great things are possible through discipline and faith.

So in conclusion, It wasn't T. C.'s best film he's made, but it was still great! My only caveat is that the theme of faith was not very present through most of the movie. And I was hoping it would be more so! But it was still great!

Brief preamble: there is a lot of history packed into the end during the credits so do be sure to stick around.

That being said this is a wonderful film in the grand tradition of sportsmen overcoming obstacles, literally in this case (the high jump bar).

This is a film firmly rooted in family and faith (in keeping with other productions from these filmmakers) so if you've enjoyed their other films you're guaranteed to like this.

Hollywood doesn't seem to be able to make these kinds of movies anymore so it's reassuring to see people stepping into the gap to provide quality entertainment for the whole family. These movies can still be made and SHOULD be made.

Great, amazing, wonderful, magnificent, marvelous, extraordinary, gives hope that everything is possible and dreams come true. Must seen!!!! "It was an incredible experience. I was very moved. Two hours spent on an amazing Film. They make you want to wake up the next day and boldly look far beyond the sickness. This is exactly the kind of movie that should be made. Filmed without any fireworks, but the message is clear and forces reflection. It's a beautiful story. Once again, more films with a conservative, traditional, and valuable message, to spread the good news. The best I have ever seen.

This was a really great and beautiful story told in a very awkward way. The movie consisted of two things and only these two things. First, awkward moments intended to be funny. Second, a handsome and well-casted actor who was supposed to be playing someone awkward, but actually wasn't made fun of by people who were actually awkward and very intentionally so. I enjoyed the story, but the way it was told made me feel uncomfortable almost the entire sitting. There were just so many long, awkward pauses between different actors at different times. I'd still recommend seeing it, but if there were a book about it, I'd recommend that more.

I've liked many of these based-on-a-true-story inspirational stories and disliked some. THis one gripped me the most. The acting, costuming and make-up capturing the era are superb. For a no-name cast, I was extremely impressed - especially the one-or-two scene actors getting everything as if I watching it live. The story seems to have been impeccably researched. There's never a slow moment.

A number of these inspirational films get very religious and preachy. This one barely mentions church, just personal integrity and purpose-of-life. Alma's spirituality is very understated until the climactic scene and even then it's just deeply personal. It's his humility, perseverance and strength of spirit that carries him to achieve what no one before him could do. I thoroughly loved it from start to finish.