Independent feature movie tells story of John Wesley
Burgess Jenkins stars as John Wesley in "Wesley," a feature film on the spiritual journey of the founder of the Methodist movement. UMNS photos courtesy of Foundery Pictures.
A UMNS Report
By Jennifer Lind*
A perilous adventure on the high seas, a star-crossed love affair, mob violence, rioting, attempted assassination-not the elements one might expect in a film about the founder of Methodism.
The director and producer of "Wesley" believes, however, that the dramatic and often surprising story of John Wesley will attract moviegoers of all faiths, as well as warm their hearts.
"I'm hoping that we're going to hit a crossover audience, that this isn't just going to be of interest to Methodists," said John Jackman, whose films include "Passing Moment," "Windsor Knot" and "An Uncommon Union."
The independent feature film traces the life of Wesley as an outwardly religious young man who undergoes a spiritual renewal that leads to a revolutionary ministry. It is scheduled for release as early as October.
"It has all the elements that you'd want to put into a movie," said Jackman, who spent more than a thousand hours researching Wesley's life. The script is based largely on the journals of both John Wesley and his brother, Charles.
According to Jackman, the film is not a stuffy, intellectual discourse on Wesleyan theology, and it doesn't emphasize details that distinguish Methodism from other Christian movements.
"We've really had to focus on the core spiritual journey of Wesley," Jackman said. "Some of the stuff that would be very sectarian also, of course, is not going to appeal to a modern audience-and probably wouldn't even appeal to modern Methodists."
Burgess Jenkins, who plays Wesley, applauds the film for its openness and reach. "I think the end result is something that is so far-reaching in so many ways-that if you're not Christian, you're not going to be turned off by it … and if you are (Christian), you're going to get something very profound from it," said Jenkins, whose film credits include "The Reaping" and "Remember the Titans."
Who was Wesley?
Wesley wasn't born with the convictions of grace and faith that would carry on in his name through the generations.
The film explores the vulnerable, human side of Methodism's founder, beginning with a spiritually conflicted yet pious Wesley as an Anglican priest teaching at Oxford University in 1732.
"His attitude toward religion when he was young was very external and had to do with doing good works to earn your own way into heaven," explained Jackman, who moonlights as a Moravian pastor, "and it really didn't have anything to do with compassion or love or grace at all."
As a method actor, Jenkins approached the role by trying, as much as possible, to become the character. "A lot of it came from reading Wesley's journals," he said. "Once I had a good idea of who John Wesley was … and what it was that motivated him … I started living, as best I knew how, as John.
"It was probably the most profound experience I've had as an actor in embodying another character-not just John's accent or his gait or his posture, but his ideology."
How does he describe Wesley?
"Academic in mind, a bit naïve in heart, a bit lost in soul … ultimately earnest. … But, at the core of all of that was a desire for God's will, a desire for greatness for God, and to glorify God in everything he did. I do believe that that's at the core of John, however humanly fallible. That, to me, is what makes him so identifiable for all of us."
'Strangely warmed'
It is now 1735. John and his brother Charles, played by Keith Harris ("Big Fish," "Junebug," "Chicks101"), sail for the British colony of Georgia in hopes of ministering to American Indians.
A violent storm breaks the main mast of the ship. Terrified for their lives, the Wesley brothers are stunned to observe a group of Moravian missionaries calmly singing and praying, seeming oblivious to the storm raging around them.
In one scene, Wesley falls in love with Sophy Hopkey, portrayed by Carrie Anne Hunt.
Once in Georgia, John falls in love with the local magistrate's niece, Sophy Hopkey, played by Carrie Anne Hunt ("Sunset," "Forgotten," "Move Cary"). The romance ends bitterly, and a discouraged Wesley returns to England where he encounters Peter Boehler, a Moravian missionary who speaks of "heart religion."
Wesley wrestles with his inner turmoil and eventually, during a religious meeting on Aldersgate Street in London on May 24, 1738, experiences the peace he had been yearning for, expressed in his famous description: "I felt my heart strangely warmed."
An invigorated Wesley begins preaching in London but is rebuffed by most churches. Unfazed, he brings his ministry, with his hymn-writing brother Charles, to the fields. There, his eyes are opened to the poor and weary masses of England who hunger for both food and faith. The brothers begin a radical and controversial social ministry that meets with fierce opposition from the gentry, who hire thugs to kill John. He escapes and ultimately triumphs as thousands of people gather to hear him preach at his father's tomb in the closing scene.
Jackman sees a need for Wesley's story in today's world.
"The pulling together of spiritual life and social action and social ministry to the poor is something that I see as very timely right now, as we get into a society where the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer," he said.
Array of artists
Television and film actress June Lockhart joins the cast as Susannah Wesley, Charles and John's mother, who plays a pivotal role in both sons' early spiritual growth. Lockhart was for an entire generation the quintessential "TV mom" from her roles in the series "Lassie" and "Lost in Space."
Kevin McCarthy plays Bishop Ryder, a fictional character based loosely on John Ryder, Bishop of Killaloe, who defends Wesley against attempts to defrock him.
Bruce Kiesling composed and conducted the musical score. With a background in 18th-century music, he used some early Methodist hymn tunes as subtle themes. "The music is so important," said Jackman, noting the significance of the Wesley brothers' contribution to congregational singing.
The project received financial backing from private investors. Theatrical release decisions will be up to the distributor.
The production company, Foundery Pictures LLC, was created by Jackman for the project in 2006. The company name comes from the Methodist movement's first headquarters, The Foundery in Moorfields, England, where the first meeting of the Methodist Society was conducted on July 23, 1740.
*Lind is an intern for United Methodist Communications and a senior religious studies major at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
By Jennifer Lind*
A perilous adventure on the high seas, a star-crossed love affair, mob violence, rioting, attempted assassination-not the elements one might expect in a film about the founder of Methodism.
The director and producer of "Wesley" believes, however, that the dramatic and often surprising story of John Wesley will attract moviegoers of all faiths, as well as warm their hearts.
"I'm hoping that we're going to hit a crossover audience, that this isn't just going to be of interest to Methodists," said John Jackman, whose films include "Passing Moment," "Windsor Knot" and "An Uncommon Union."
The independent feature film traces the life of Wesley as an outwardly religious young man who undergoes a spiritual renewal that leads to a revolutionary ministry. It is scheduled for release as early as October.
"It has all the elements that you'd want to put into a movie," said Jackman, who spent more than a thousand hours researching Wesley's life. The script is based largely on the journals of both John Wesley and his brother, Charles.
According to Jackman, the film is not a stuffy, intellectual discourse on Wesleyan theology, and it doesn't emphasize details that distinguish Methodism from other Christian movements.
"We've really had to focus on the core spiritual journey of Wesley," Jackman said. "Some of the stuff that would be very sectarian also, of course, is not going to appeal to a modern audience-and probably wouldn't even appeal to modern Methodists."
Burgess Jenkins, who plays Wesley, applauds the film for its openness and reach. "I think the end result is something that is so far-reaching in so many ways-that if you're not Christian, you're not going to be turned off by it … and if you are (Christian), you're going to get something very profound from it," said Jenkins, whose film credits include "The Reaping" and "Remember the Titans."
Who was Wesley?
Wesley wasn't born with the convictions of grace and faith that would carry on in his name through the generations.
The film explores the vulnerable, human side of Methodism's founder, beginning with a spiritually conflicted yet pious Wesley as an Anglican priest teaching at Oxford University in 1732.
"His attitude toward religion when he was young was very external and had to do with doing good works to earn your own way into heaven," explained Jackman, who moonlights as a Moravian pastor, "and it really didn't have anything to do with compassion or love or grace at all."
As a method actor, Jenkins approached the role by trying, as much as possible, to become the character. "A lot of it came from reading Wesley's journals," he said. "Once I had a good idea of who John Wesley was … and what it was that motivated him … I started living, as best I knew how, as John.
"It was probably the most profound experience I've had as an actor in embodying another character-not just John's accent or his gait or his posture, but his ideology."
How does he describe Wesley?
"Academic in mind, a bit naïve in heart, a bit lost in soul … ultimately earnest. … But, at the core of all of that was a desire for God's will, a desire for greatness for God, and to glorify God in everything he did. I do believe that that's at the core of John, however humanly fallible. That, to me, is what makes him so identifiable for all of us."
'Strangely warmed'
It is now 1735. John and his brother Charles, played by Keith Harris ("Big Fish," "Junebug," "Chicks101"), sail for the British colony of Georgia in hopes of ministering to American Indians.
A violent storm breaks the main mast of the ship. Terrified for their lives, the Wesley brothers are stunned to observe a group of Moravian missionaries calmly singing and praying, seeming oblivious to the storm raging around them.
In one scene, Wesley falls in love with Sophy Hopkey, portrayed by Carrie Anne Hunt.Once in Georgia, John falls in love with the local magistrate's niece, Sophy Hopkey, played by Carrie Anne Hunt ("Sunset," "Forgotten," "Move Cary"). The romance ends bitterly, and a discouraged Wesley returns to England where he encounters Peter Boehler, a Moravian missionary who speaks of "heart religion."
Wesley wrestles with his inner turmoil and eventually, during a religious meeting on Aldersgate Street in London on May 24, 1738, experiences the peace he had been yearning for, expressed in his famous description: "I felt my heart strangely warmed."
An invigorated Wesley begins preaching in London but is rebuffed by most churches. Unfazed, he brings his ministry, with his hymn-writing brother Charles, to the fields. There, his eyes are opened to the poor and weary masses of England who hunger for both food and faith. The brothers begin a radical and controversial social ministry that meets with fierce opposition from the gentry, who hire thugs to kill John. He escapes and ultimately triumphs as thousands of people gather to hear him preach at his father's tomb in the closing scene.
Jackman sees a need for Wesley's story in today's world.
"The pulling together of spiritual life and social action and social ministry to the poor is something that I see as very timely right now, as we get into a society where the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer," he said.
Array of artists
Television and film actress June Lockhart joins the cast as Susannah Wesley, Charles and John's mother, who plays a pivotal role in both sons' early spiritual growth. Lockhart was for an entire generation the quintessential "TV mom" from her roles in the series "Lassie" and "Lost in Space."
Kevin McCarthy plays Bishop Ryder, a fictional character based loosely on John Ryder, Bishop of Killaloe, who defends Wesley against attempts to defrock him.
Bruce Kiesling composed and conducted the musical score. With a background in 18th-century music, he used some early Methodist hymn tunes as subtle themes. "The music is so important," said Jackman, noting the significance of the Wesley brothers' contribution to congregational singing.
The project received financial backing from private investors. Theatrical release decisions will be up to the distributor.
The production company, Foundery Pictures LLC, was created by Jackman for the project in 2006. The company name comes from the Methodist movement's first headquarters, The Foundery in Moorfields, England, where the first meeting of the Methodist Society was conducted on July 23, 1740.
*Lind is an intern for United Methodist Communications and a senior religious studies major at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
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