Amish Grace, the movie
Good Morning Friends,
I took a strong stand early on that I wasn't going to watch the Lifetime Movie -- Amish Grace -- which aired last night. I made this decision out of respect for my Amish friends. The book was written by Donald B. Kraybill, Steven M. Nolt, and David L. Weaver-Zercher, and it was written with the blessing of the Amish community in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania. The blurb on the jacket reads in part, "The remarkable response of the Amish community to the horrific shooting of ten schoolgirls at Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, in October 2006 stunned the larger world. Amish Grace tells the incredible story of this community's reaction to this senseless shooting and explores its profoundly countercultural practice of forgiveness." This book was recommended to me by an ex-Amish woman in Paradise, Pennsylvania. According to my sources, it was important to the Amish community the details of the events be recorded accurately. From all early reviews, this movie didn't convey the type of forgiveness that transcended this tragedy. The authors of the book were not involved in the movie production.
Now, having said that...I would certainly not hold it against anyone who chose to watch the movie. I only took this stand because I have Amish friends, and I know that they are upset about the movie. But I would be curious to hear if any of you watched it and what you thought? Early reviews said that even the clothes used in the movie were wrong for the area. I know that most of you are well-versed about this tragedy, Amish clothes and traditions, etc.
Did you see the movie? What were your thoughts?
I took a strong stand early on that I wasn't going to watch the Lifetime Movie -- Amish Grace -- which aired last night. I made this decision out of respect for my Amish friends. The book was written by Donald B. Kraybill, Steven M. Nolt, and David L. Weaver-Zercher, and it was written with the blessing of the Amish community in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania. The blurb on the jacket reads in part, "The remarkable response of the Amish community to the horrific shooting of ten schoolgirls at Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, in October 2006 stunned the larger world. Amish Grace tells the incredible story of this community's reaction to this senseless shooting and explores its profoundly countercultural practice of forgiveness." This book was recommended to me by an ex-Amish woman in Paradise, Pennsylvania. According to my sources, it was important to the Amish community the details of the events be recorded accurately. From all early reviews, this movie didn't convey the type of forgiveness that transcended this tragedy. The authors of the book were not involved in the movie production.
Now, having said that...I would certainly not hold it against anyone who chose to watch the movie. I only took this stand because I have Amish friends, and I know that they are upset about the movie. But I would be curious to hear if any of you watched it and what you thought? Early reviews said that even the clothes used in the movie were wrong for the area. I know that most of you are well-versed about this tragedy, Amish clothes and traditions, etc.
Did you see the movie? What were your thoughts?
Posted by Beth Wiseman at 3/29/2010 7:58 AM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Daughters of the Promise series Amish fiction Amish Grace movie Plain Paradise Beth Wiseman
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Daughters of the Promise series Amish fiction Amish Grace movie Plain Paradise Beth Wiseman
Beth, I had seen your concerns about the movie and weighed it carefully. Out of curiosity I did decide to watch the movie.
I'm so glad I did although I annoyed my husband with my comments throughout it. "That would never happen," "He actually did this ... ,", etc.
What I liked about what they changed was I think making Ida question forgiveness so much showed her in a light most of us "Englishers" can relate to. I think the reaction shown in the movie would be more how I would react to one of my children being gunned down. But then they brought her around in the end to embrace the forgiveness the rest of her community had done.
In some ways, the changes may have been better to represent the tragedy. I know I won't say this right, but perhaps not following the exact story line was easier for some of us to see (although I still bawled the whole time). And I think it was a terrific tool to learn from.
If it had shown them all forgiving and moving on, I don't think that would have resonated as much as seeing this woman struggle with it and then giving it to God. That's just my opinion.
I hate to think of the movie offending the gentle senses of our Amish neighbors. I don't like that part of it at all.
I do feel like it was a great lesson for me and hopefully many others, believers and non-believers alike.
BTW, just finished Plain Paradise this weekend. You continue to knock it out of the park. Congratulations on a job well done.
Blessings,
Lesa Brassette
Grand Junction, CO
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I missed the first 1/2 hour but I did watch the rest of the movie, and I cried thru most of it; the heartbreak of it all.
I don't know the code of dress for that area, but thought it might be a little off. I was impressed that the women's hair was parted & twisted, not just pulled back.
Their speech was just a little too 'english'. It would have been 'gut' if they incorporated more 'dutch' in their dialoge; at least some accents.
But overall, without nitpicking the whole production, I thought it displayed a wonderful message of forgiveness and that in such a tragedy as this one, there are always victims that you don't see or think of.
And that praying for each other and forgiving others, even if they haven't asked for it, is the quickest way to start recovery.
And the scene where the shooter was being buried, the news reporter and her camera man were talking about how they thought there'd be more people turn-out since the family was from a large congregation, and then the Amish showed up to support the family.
I don't know that this really happened, but it was another strong message about showing love and kindness to others in their time of need. And a little stab at big churches who in their own way shun their members, but not because of scripture, but just to save their own face.
I didn't know a book had been written but now I would like to read it to get a more accurate accounting.
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I also watched the movie as I have not had the chance to read the book. I did not know that the Amish were not pleased about having this done. As others have mentioned above, I think the whole movie was based on "forgiveness" and how the Amish faith can rise above a horrific tragedy. Of course, I also cried through the whole thing and was so touched by their actions, they are an amazing group of people. I did not think that the homes that were shown (on the inside) portrayed how the amish live, they did not look simple or as plain as what I have read, I was disappointed that they did not portray that as they should, but think they got the message out there regarding forgiveness. If only the "english" had that forgiveness of others and of "God" this man would have been able to forgive and this tragedy never would have happened.
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The Amish really did go to the service. I heard the screenwriter created Ida's character.
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Beth,
I wasn't going to watch the movie, but decided to watch at the last minute. It was sad, but I thought it would be. I thought it was good, except for the part of Ida telling Gideon that she is leaving and I just couldn't see an Amish lady leaving her faith especially after years of her being baptized. But, it was sad.
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I also out of respect for my Amish neighbors did not watch it.
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Does anybody know if Ida and her family were real? I mean, was she just a fictional character or did that really happen? Was her daughter really involved or did the people that made the movie just create her as well as her situation in this movie?
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I watched it and don't believe it really told the whole story, there were gaps in the movie.
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I agreed with you Beth. I did not have any desire to watch the movie. I felt it a disrespectful thing to do to sensationalize a tragic event in the lives of these wonderful, forgiving people.
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I told my husband last night early on in the movie that I wished I had not wanted to watch this but in the end when the little girl told Mary Beth's mom that she was going to pray for the gunmen; boy did that touch my heart. I cried I do believe through most all of it. One thing did stand out to me when Mary Beth's Mom said you can forgive someone that kills one of your loved ones they are taught to forgive but that shunning was a different matter; why couldn't they forgive her sister that decided to be shunned?
Just my thoughts; Love, Denise in NC
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I did watch the movie & thought it was very good. As I watched it, I noticed things that I thought were not "right" for that area--clothing, prayer kapps, buggies, etc. But the message that came across was of their amazing forgiveness & I think the world "needs" to see that. It may not have been thoroughly "in line" with everything else. But the awesome message of forgiveness came through and was a wonderful testimony to their faith. At least that's how I saw it & many people I talked to today felt the same way. I will highly recommend it to others.
On another note, Beth, I just have to tell you how VERY much I enjoyed Plain Paradise! It had me crying AND it had me laughing outloud!! Especially at the part where the crazy rooster got in the house! That was hilarious!!! Looking forward to the new series you have coming out!
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I enjoyed the movie. It showed the Amish people to be human beings who have feelings like everyone else. They just have the gift of forgiveness and leave the judgment to God. I wish I could be that way. I"m sure it is not easy for them but they do so. I think they must be wonderful people.
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I don't get that channel, so, I didn't get to watch it. I would, however, like to read the book.
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I too watched this movie, I could not belive the liberties that the producers took. Maybe I am wrong , but I have never seen any amish women with prayer caps like those in the movie.that is just one of the issues that I had with the movie.
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I watched the movie because I followed the shooting closely since I am a teacher (preschool). Being very interested in the Amish lifestyle, I admit I have found other Amish movies more interesting. I actually wish the movie was more like the true story. I'm sad that the Amish didn't approve of it. It broke my heart what happened to those girls! If I may ask does anyone know how the survivors are doing today? Especially the one who was sent home because nothing more could be done for her? I subsrcribe to The Budget, but have not read anything about them lately.
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I did watch the movie. I was aware of the statement re the clothing and the Amish being displeased with this movie.
I do not know how the Amish dress in the location where the shooting transpired. I felt the clothing tended to be more colorful and English like in appearance.
I am not an authority on the Amish Culture but I felt Rebecca's mother's decision to leave her community and husband did not carry the weight of how momentous that decision would be on the community and family.
I hope there will not be another movie regarding this subject but coming from the murder's family's view point.
Hope I have provided you with some insight.
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