Amanda is just a bit in debt. Her car is about to be repossessed, causing her live-in boyfriend Alan to suggest that she ask her boss for a raise. Trouble is, the boss man is a mobster and Amanda gets cold feet. However, she is put in charge of a shipment soon to arrive. Although she is instructed to file the package in the safe and close the door, the box falls apart in her hands. Hey, there's a quarter of a million dollars here! The A & A team go to the racetrack and end up losing it all. The mob is upset. But, wait. Amanda has a rich grandfather she hasn't seen for years. Could she hit him up for the money? This is a cute movie with great messages. Julie Condra, as Amanda, gives an inspired performance as the girl with her priorities slightly askew. Pat Hingle, as the grandfather, also gives a sweet turn as the man who found Christ and wants to share his faith with his long lost granddaughter. And, teach her some valuable lessons. As the pair go off to reclaim a vacation spot they shared long ago, the hit men come after them and the trip is fun, fun, fun, with bikers and a Partridge Family loving mobster thrown in the path. Thus, the script is inspired in more ways than one. If you love road trip movies, you'll feel dandy after watching this film. But, more important, if you want to share the Christian faith with anyone, including church camp crowds, this would be a great choice. It supplies the laughs at the same time it provides the road to ultimate salvation.
14 Reviews
Good for what it is
justinvn8 October 2002
Usually, when you know the movie is put out by Billy Graham, no one is going to be converting to Zoroastrianism by the end of the movie. The subplot is usually the same in every movie: Christian befriends non-Christian, non-Christian (and audience) hears the plan for salvation, and non-Christian usually becomes a Christian by the end. There's little suprise in that part.
This movie reminded me a lot of the old "Walt Disney Presents" movies on Sunday night TV. Family-friendly, geniunely funny in some places, a little corny in others, and usually had some pro-social message in the end - be nice to old people, don't shoot deer, listen to Julie Andrews sing and you'll be rewarded by dancing on the celing....whatever. So, I guess you can call old Disney movies "propaganda disgusied as a movie," or whatever the bitter guy said a few posts back.
As a light comedy, it works. The "Bad guys" are silly, the chase scenes are fun, and there are a few running gags that pay off towards the middle and end. Besides any "Christian" comedy that dares to take a swipe at the Partridge Family can't be that bad, can it? The parts that are shaky, as it sometimes is with WWP movies, the "Serious" moments between the granddaughter and grandfather are slow at times, and the scenes at the end are cliched. But, like I said, it's like a Sunday night Disney movie....You know what you're getting yourself into.
This movie reminded me a lot of the old "Walt Disney Presents" movies on Sunday night TV. Family-friendly, geniunely funny in some places, a little corny in others, and usually had some pro-social message in the end - be nice to old people, don't shoot deer, listen to Julie Andrews sing and you'll be rewarded by dancing on the celing....whatever. So, I guess you can call old Disney movies "propaganda disgusied as a movie," or whatever the bitter guy said a few posts back.
As a light comedy, it works. The "Bad guys" are silly, the chase scenes are fun, and there are a few running gags that pay off towards the middle and end. Besides any "Christian" comedy that dares to take a swipe at the Partridge Family can't be that bad, can it? The parts that are shaky, as it sometimes is with WWP movies, the "Serious" moments between the granddaughter and grandfather are slow at times, and the scenes at the end are cliched. But, like I said, it's like a Sunday night Disney movie....You know what you're getting yourself into.
One of the worst movies I have ever seen
ranjith-127 December 2005
This movie is one of the worst movies I have ever seen. I thought it might be a comedy movie and watched it. The comedy scenes in the movie look totally attached into the script, they don't form a part of the story at all. Many scenes in this movie look totally unrealistic and impossible. The storyline itself is unrealistic. While watching the movie I thought of a worst possible ending for the movie and told myself no movie will possibly have such a bad story. But then I was surprised; It had the same worst ending I thought of! I felt it was not a conventional movie just 30 minutes into the movie. Finally only I realized that it was a movie targeted for the Christian movie community. That explained everything. As told by one other comment about the movie, the Christian movie making people are way behind their secular counterparts in the quality of their work. I guess having a religious agenda for a movie really takes all the quality in story, screenplay and direction out of it.
The mob never forgets or forgives
bkoganbing25 March 2018
Julie Condra gets a hold of some mob money and goes on a spree. But when
the syndicate finds out she's forced to flee. Her only hope is her grandfather
who has put away a few shekels in his life to give her the money to pay back
what she owes. She can only hope they'll forgive her, but these are not known
to be forgiving people.
It's a Christian movie put out by the Billy Graham Ministry so expect the usual Christian parameters involved. Pat Hingle plays the grandfather and he's always good. There's an interesting role for Wes Studi an American Indian who has brought his tracking skills to the mob. They do pay well for his services I'm sure.
But if you want to see a really good film about someone who got a hold of syndicate money and is trying to shake them, watch Walter Matthau in Charley Varrick.
It's a Christian movie put out by the Billy Graham Ministry so expect the usual Christian parameters involved. Pat Hingle plays the grandfather and he's always good. There's an interesting role for Wes Studi an American Indian who has brought his tracking skills to the mob. They do pay well for his services I'm sure.
But if you want to see a really good film about someone who got a hold of syndicate money and is trying to shake them, watch Walter Matthau in Charley Varrick.
Watchable, can do worse.
bombersflyup23 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Road to Redemption is a family film, light and somewhat amusing, but not funny funny.
The angelic Julie Condra's splendid, keeping the film above water, but there's just too much goofiness and cheese to be anything worthwhile. The boyfriend Alan and mob woeful.
The angelic Julie Condra's splendid, keeping the film above water, but there's just too much goofiness and cheese to be anything worthwhile. The boyfriend Alan and mob woeful.
delightful; a surprising, feel good movie
jwbaumann10 June 2003
I stumbled across this gem while late night channel surfing, entering at the scene where Amanda and Nathan take the "detour" which lands them behind a pigeon truck. I'll admit what caught my eye was Julie Condra's beauty, but the story was intriguing because I knew neither how it started nor that it was a Christian film. The bad guys were caricatures, her boyfriend was pathetic, and the medical details poorly researched (hey, I'm a doc - I notice these things!), but it was fun, engaging, and mostly well acted and well written, with a message that did not feel forced or contrived, and with what felt like a natural relationship evolution between Nathan and Amanda through the film.
Perhaps the best evidence that this is a film worth watching: after it ended, I channel surfed a bit more, and came across a Girls Gone Wild adfomercial and VH1 music video. The contrast between the peaceful spirituality of the final scene in R to R and the raucous tawdriness of GGW and VH1 was stunning. I prefer the former. Much more.
Perhaps the best evidence that this is a film worth watching: after it ended, I channel surfed a bit more, and came across a Girls Gone Wild adfomercial and VH1 music video. The contrast between the peaceful spirituality of the final scene in R to R and the raucous tawdriness of GGW and VH1 was stunning. I prefer the former. Much more.
A wonderful, Christian, family film - what a message it sends!
mcandd10 June 2005
"Road to Redemption" is great family viewing material, and it includes the Gospel message! This movie has enough substance that it can be watched over and over. It is entertaining - provoking numerous outbursts of laughter. The conversations between the grandfather and granddaughter are thought provoking, as well as inspiring, giving ideas on how to share Christ with loved ones. The value in this type of film far exceeds the mindless, deceiving garbage that movies usually offer. Although the "Left Behind" movies have an important and necessary message of their own, they aren't suitable for family viewing (for families with pre-teens, that is). "Road to Redemption" is suitable for family viewing, and makes for a great family evening.
Fair Film
magellan33320 July 2001
This is a fair comedy that is worth taking a look at. It will not have you in stitches or rolling on the floor, but isn't bad to view once. Pat Hingle plays the charming old man he has so many times before. The lead female does an adequate job too. I walked away getting what I had expected. I feel Christians still have a long way to go in the film making industry. I found "Left Behind" to be very disappointing. If Christians want films to be used as outreach tools, they must realize that Christian movies must be of the same production quality as their secular counterparts. I originally saw this movie back when I was a Christian and found it fair. Despite my change in beliefs, my opinion of it remains unchanged.
A valuable, must-see film for the whole family!
beantwo23 February 2001
A truly enjoyable film for the entire family. A must-see movie with a valuable message of hope. In a very creative and fun way, the movie sets out to show the spiritual road to redemption through the means of a crazy road trip full of mishaps and adventures. A truly refreshing film that makes you feel good and glad that you saw the movie.
Simple, dorky, fun, wholesome.
harry-salvini27 September 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Got this movie when it first came out for watching on Sabbath afternoon with our young boys. We laughed and giggled all the way through until the serious parts, then teared over when the simple gospel message is presented. It's still one of the Sabbath movies that gets thrown in to watch.
Starts simple enough - when presented with the opportunity to make some quick money that wasn't hers in the first place with a heads-up for a horse race, Amanda and her boyfriend try to make a ton of money. When that failed, Amanda decides to try to get her uncle from long ago to cough up the money she needs to pay off her boss that they stole the money from.
Problem after problem occurs while trying to fulfill her uncle's one request - to go fishing at a particular lake.
Chased by the boss, her boyfriend, the goon and a hunter, more bad things happen but all seems to bring Amanda closer to realizing she really does need God.
The basics of the movie are very much like the old Disney style home/family movies before the magic and bad plots were entered.
Good for kids, good for parents.
Starts simple enough - when presented with the opportunity to make some quick money that wasn't hers in the first place with a heads-up for a horse race, Amanda and her boyfriend try to make a ton of money. When that failed, Amanda decides to try to get her uncle from long ago to cough up the money she needs to pay off her boss that they stole the money from.
Problem after problem occurs while trying to fulfill her uncle's one request - to go fishing at a particular lake.
Chased by the boss, her boyfriend, the goon and a hunter, more bad things happen but all seems to bring Amanda closer to realizing she really does need God.
The basics of the movie are very much like the old Disney style home/family movies before the magic and bad plots were entered.
Good for kids, good for parents.
An Above Average Christian Comedy/Drama
MovieAddict201631 December 2002
"Road to Redemption," starring Pat Hingle, Wes Studi and Jay Underwood, is an above average Christian film. When compared to disgraces such as "Left Behind," this film looks like a masterpiece!
3/5 stars -- a bit emotionally manipulating at times, but still a clean family Christian film.
John Ulmer
3/5 stars -- a bit emotionally manipulating at times, but still a clean family Christian film.
John Ulmer
Fun light hearted flick-Great for the family, laughs and a moral message
danielmarkolsen8 August 2010
I saw the spoiler review from a guy in India and just had to take the time to counter his slam. Please don't miss this movie! Made by the Billy Graham ministry for a good and moral message; this movie is still one of my favorites. Just full of funny parts that will keep you in stitches. Yes, it's a made for entertainment flick, not a documentary. It is certainly a great time as Amanda's goof-ball boyfriend messes up time and time again with bad decisions, and gets a mobster after them both. The strongmen working for the mobster are such a kick. In the end it is a strong message that the whole family will be happy with. Christian or not, you need to watch this movie!
Best of the Christian movies I've seen
sarawoah19 October 2003
Here I am to tell you my opinions on "Road to Redemption". Of all the Christian movies I've seen ("Left Behind", "The Climb" and "The Ride") this is the best one. No one dies and there is no tacky "flash back" that seem to ALWAYS be in Christian movies (*ahem* take note of that please "Climb" and "Ride" script writers) It was a fairly amusing movie not all drama and Billy Grahmn (sp) was BARELY in it! Its a good start for Christian movies, hopefully its the "Keith Green" of Christian movies! =) (By the way: a teacher @ my school always claimed some guy named Keith Green was one of the first Christian singers or something.)
This was a great movie!
sierra4x43 December 2002
I don't understand why this movie is getting some negative reviews. My wife and I borrowed it from a friend and loved it. I get so tired of movies being full of nudity and profanity, especially using the Lord's name in vain. This was a fun, clean movie, has great morals, and gives the plan of salvation. Was it predictable? Yes. What's so wrong with a funny, predictable movie? Not every movie has to have a surprise ending or a twist to be good. I have seen a couple of other movies from World Wide Pictures and enjoyed them as well. I recommend this film to anyone who would like to see more movies where their children don't have to cover their eyes or close their ears.
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