Produced by Olive Tree Media, Remembering ’59 will be available on DVD and will premiere on the Australian Christian Channel at 8.30pm on Easter Saturday.
Hosted by Karl Faase, Senior Pastor of Gymea Baptist Church and board member of the Australian Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Remembering ’59 was filmed in North Carolina, USA and in Sydney and Melbourne.
“Remembering 59 starts by looking at the person of Billy Graham,” said Karl Faase. “We had wonderful access to archival footage of his first major crusade in Los Angeles in 1949 and the subsequent London crusade of the mid 50’s. These events put Dr Graham on the American and then the international scene and ultimately led to the invitation to come to Australia and New Zealand in 1959,” Karl said.
Filming in the US included recording interviews with Cliff Barrows, George Beverly Shea and Crusade organiser, Jerry Beavan.
“We were very privileged to meet Cliff and George and spent a wonderful afternoon with them at The Cove, the BGEA’s Conference facility in Asheville, North Carolina,” said Remembering ’59’s Producer/Director Martin Johnson. “Although Cliff Barrows is in his mid 80’s and George Beverly Shea was then 99 (he celebrated his 100th birthday in February) their memories of their four-month long Australian Crusade were remarkable,” Martin said.
“Although a behind the scenes organiser, Jerry Beavan features in archival footage of the time and to be able to interview him in San Diego about his memories of the Crusades, was also a real privilege,” said Martin.
“One of the things we wanted to bring out in Remembering 59 was the long-lasting impact of Dr Graham’s first visit,” said Karl. “When we asked Cliff if he had any strong memories of anyone who came forward, he immediately told us about Ron and Beryl Baker. Ron was an alcoholic and very anti Billy Graham, but the story of his coming to faith, together with his wife is the high point of Remembering ’59,” said Karl.
“We interview Ron and Beryl, now in their 70s, and their memory of the event is as clear as the day it happened,” said Karl. “The final scene of Remembering ‘59 is testimony to the impact their conversion had on their whole family,” Karl said.
Also featured in Remembering ’59 are interviews with Dr Peter Jensen, now the Archbishop of the Sydney Anglican Diocese, Rev John Mallison who was involved in developing a discipleship and follow-up program for those who responded and Graeme Pearson, chairman of the Australian Billy Graham Evangelical Association board.
“We also talk to a number of other people whose lives were dramatically changed by going to a Crusade meeting and who can testify to the legacy of Dr Graham’s ministry,” said Karl
In addition to the one-hour documentary, the DVD also contains the complete interview with Cliff Barrows and George Beverly Shea plus a one-hour film special made at the time called ‘Southern Cross Crusade’.
Mike and Nikki Thompson, who researched Remembering ’59 have written a 30 page booklet which is included with the DVD.
“Their research was invaluable,” said Karl. “Whilst it is the backbone to the script, there is so much information that couldn’t be included in the film, so we’ve produced a booklet which we know people will find fascinating reading,” he said.
Remembering ’59 has its own web site www.remembering59.com.au
“It was a great privilege to work on this production and to produce what we believe is a fitting tribute to the first Billy Graham Crusade in Australia,” Karl said.
