La croix et le poignard

This is the best made amateur Christian film of all time! It is the true story of preacher David Wilkerson who felt called by God to go into the city to help the troubled gang members. The acting can be uneven at times but the direction was very well done. Eric Estrada is excellent as Nicky Cruz. The biggest problem with this production is the musical soundtrack. The story is very good even if the dialog is somewhat hokey. All in all a good solid entertaining film that should convert even the toughest of skeptics. It realistically deals with what life on the streets is all about. See this movie, you'll be glad you did!

I saw this movie when I was 13 years old, while first released at the theaters. It has stayed with me ever since. I am not a religious person, and the heart of this movie is not in my memory for spiritual reasons. It is the true story of the heartbreaking struggles of a few, then dozens, then hundreds of streetkids. It is the true story of the bitter-sweet survival, recovery, success of one after another. And the utter sadness in the loss and waste of those lost to drugs, crime, and/or prison. What moved me wasn't as much the tenacity and courage of the preacher who gave up his comforts to live and work among those of the street, which was enormous, but the fact that these kids were found, or found someone, to pull them out, to fight for them until they finally became capable of fighting for themselves. There is both humor and drama in this story of kids who learned through the efforts of one single man, constantly, unrelentlessly, with creativity and iron testicles, that they can overcome.

What you may Learn from watching this film!!!

1. Cops should never try to stop gang fights. They just become new props for the taking.

2. Nice girls like to get high too...

3. To get info from a street kid in the South Bronx.. All you need are a pair of patent leathers.

4. If your name is Israel.. The Bible talks a lot about you..

5. Never expect someone to be happy to see you at 2am.

6. Never use the toilets at a drug dealer's home. You may poop on his stash.

7. Gangs always set the ground rules when they rumble. "No zips.. I had a hell of a time removing that bullet last week."

8. If you want to get a gang bangers attention during a revival meeting. Always have some hot chick sing "Bringing in the Sheaves"

9. It's nice to see that Pat Boone can do something else besides singing Tiny Bubbles.

********** Personal Commentary ***************

This film was great when I was a kid. It made me want to get right with God. As I got older. I realized how funny this film could be.. Eric Estrada as Nicky Cruz was entertaining. He is so cheesy an actor and combines him with Pat Boone.. Oh man.. But I have to say.. seriously.. The story is good & needs to be told..

In closing.. All I can say is... "Where's Jon, Ponch!" I give this film..... 6 moooos....

That's my story & I'm sticking to it...

Mooby "For GODs sake, let the Moobster dance!" quote: N. Fisher

All I want to say is that the message in this movie has changed many peoples lives,it is not the movie that has changed people in desperate situations,but the life changing Power of what happened on the cross on calvary 2000 years ago with a Man called Jesus Christ,Jesus Christ saves,can deliver a man from any bondage,heals and continues to.He can make the impossible possible... and that message is seen in this movie.

Romans:3:23-24 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Romans:4:25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

This movie is very spiritual and moving. For a low budget movie this comes across as very professional and mostly well acted. It goes on to show that belief in Jesus takes more guts than having cowardly self interest and hate in us. Great to see a movie that is not only a real positive message, but a fact, as I have met the real Nicky Cruise and know it is true.