The Cross and the Switchblade is a 1970 American crime film directed by Don Murray. It stars Pat Boone as David Wilkerson, a Christian evangelist, and Erik Estrada as Nicky Cruz, a teen gang member whose life was transformed by Wilkerson's ministry. The film was based on a non-fiction book of the same name, The Cross and the Switchblade.Cross and the Switchblade, The Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 39, Iss. 456, (Jan 1, 1972): 248.

Summary In 1958, Pentecostal pastor David Wilkerson's of Assemblies of God is touched by an article in Life Magazine about seven teenagers who are members of a criminal gang.Randall Herbert Balmer, Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism: Revised and expanded edition, Baylor University Press, USA, 2004, p. 744Terry Lindvall, Andrew Quicke, Celluloid Sermons: The Emergence of the Christian Film Industry, 1930-1986, NYU Press, USA, 2011, p. 157 Alone and with little money, he will go to Brooklyn, sometimes at the risk of his life, to talk about Jesus with members of street gang.Allan Anderson, An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity, Cambridge University Press, UK, 2013, p. 163 A meeting will particularly mark him, that of Nicky Cruz, a member of a street gang, the "Mau Maus".

Plot The film is based on the true story of David Wilkerson, a small-town preacher who gets caught in the shadows of a crime-ridden neighborhood in New York City. Guided by the streetwise Little Bo, David quickly learns about the neighborhood and how to approach the cynical juveniles. He encounters the Mau Maus, a gang led by president Israel and his "warlord," Nicky Cruz, and David brings a message of hope to the angry youths. David came to New York City from a central Pennsylvania small town with little money, and is put up in a small street chapel owned by Pastor Hector Gomez with a loving family who supports David in his work and offers to help with food and shelter. Cruz at first dismisses Wilkerson as a joke, then as a conspiracy to break up the Mau Maus, serving to only intensify his desire to be rid of him.

Nicky's ex-girlfriend, Rosa, asks Nicky to give her some money for her heroin addiction, and he offers to buy her all the junk she wants if she gets rid of Wilkerson. She confronts him at the Hector's church, where Hector's wife, Graciela, convinces Rosa to stay with them, while they stand vigil as she goes through difficult withdrawals. After Rosa is sober, she tries to convince Nicky that David comes to them out of love, but Nicky becomes more and more frustrated. When David tries an attempt to reach out to all gang members in the area through a revival, the sheriff convinces the NYPD not to survey their neighborhood in order to have the gangs think they are being left alone. Nicky agrees with Big Cat, the leader of the rival Bishops, that they should rumble at the revival since no one would expect that. However, during David's sermon, his message that no one can be labeled and Christ's death on the Cross reaches Nicky, and he stops the gangs from fighting. The film concludes by saying that in the question of the Cross and the Switchblade, the Cross proved stronger.

Nicky Cruz would go on to become an ordained minister, preaching the Gospel due to the initial efforts of David Wilkerson. In the end, they start a center called Teen Challenge to support teens.

Cast Actor Role Pat Boone David Wilkerson Erik Estrada Nicky Cruz Jacqueline Giroux Rosa Dino DeFilippi Israel Alex Colon Mingo Jo-Ann Robinson Little Bo Gil Frazier Big Cat

Production By 1968 Wilkerson's book had sold more than four million copies.Pentecostal Narcotic Program Success Cited: Rehabilitation Figures Amazingly High From National Teen Challenge Centers Pentecostal Narcotic Program Success Cited THRAPP, DAN L. Los Angeles Times 14 Apr 1968: g4. By 1975 that figure would be over six million.36 BEST-SELLING RELIGIOUS BOOKS Los Angeles Times 28 July 1975: c3.

Pat Boone read the book after seeing it at an airport newsstand on the way to Mexico City. He was immediately taken with it, calling it "a modern day sequel to the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament."Boone p 82 He and an associate, Clint Davidson, took out an option on the book but were unable to raise finance. Boone said "the uniform response was that 'religion is poison at the box office'."Boone p 83

However plans started to take shape when Rick Ross and Associates became involved. Ross had spent 15 years making films for Billy Graham's organisation.Mr. Clean of Filmland Los Angeles Times 11 Aug 1970: b1. The American Baptist Convention helped distribute the film.Digest Making Movies Fit for Its Readers By Paul Gardner Special to The New York Times. 8 Sep 1972: 38. In June 1969 Don Murray was working on a screenplay.Youth Rally-Will Feature TV Actor Los Angeles Times 29 June 1969: oc14.

Filming took place in Harlem in October 1969. "I've been trying to get this story filmed for five years," said Boone. "Working in Harlem has been wonderfuleveryone, including the police, has been very cooperative. Maybe they sense this isn't a religious or a 'church' drama."Dennis Hopper's 'Last Movie' By A. H. Weiler. New York Times 12 Oct 1969: D15

It was the first credit for Erik Estrada.Erik Estrada changes his luck with 'CHiPs' Beck, Andee. Chicago Tribune 16 July 1978: i3.

It was Pat Boone's last lead in a feature for over twenty years.

Reception The film received positive reviews from Christians and general moviegoers alike. Pat Boone regards the film as one of his favourites. "I took a huge gamble with that film," he says. "Financially it didn't pay off because I did it for next to nothing – I virtually did it as a charity but I don't regret it at all. Within its limitations it was a very well made film."

Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times said the film was "hard to take" adding that Boone was "unconvincing" as Wilkerson. "Dressed and groomed like a movie star throughout [he] is the biggest obstacle of all to the suspension of disbelief." The New York Times Howard Thompson wrote, "I liked it... the script... has a pungent, savy edge and some amusing dialogue... the color photography is excellent... three of the youngsters can really act."

Box office The film was a box office success aired in 30 languages in 150 countries.Terry Lindvall, Andrew Quicke, Celluloid Sermons: The Emergence of the Christian Film Industry, 1930-1986, NYU Press, USA, 2011, p. 159

A comic book version of the film was also issued.Jughead, Archie and Their Friends Get Religion and Help in Spreading the Word By Edward B. Fiske. New York Times 23 Aug 1973: 39.

References

Notes

External links