Amish Grace (2010 TV Movie) User Reviews (23)

Forgiveness Isn't Easy ... & Putting Out a Decent Movie Isn't, Either

[peachy2 · 8/10 · 26 June 2010]

This movie showed that while forgiveness isn't something that comes naturally, it is something that harms not necessarily the object of hatred but, rather, it harms ourselves, our own lives, & those around us. THIS is the lesson of this movie.

It tells you right out that it's a fictionalized version of the real event, so I have no problem w/the bits of "drama" added, as another reviewer has indicated. None of that detracted from the important message, & that was the key point. If you have a heart & a soul, you will FEEL this movie ... & be forced to reconsider the next time someone does something petty to you & yours & your automatic reaction is to make them pay--because you will remember this movie, & know that if you can't get over that, you'll never get over the really difficult times.

Amish Grace: Lessons in Forgiveness

[ejh1700 · 8/10 · 13 July 2010]

Film "Amish Grace" is a movie containing lessons in true forgiveness. It's intent was not to educate about Amish lifestyle and beliefs, yet those and the Nickel Mines, PA Amish School murders were the backdrops for the story..the framework if you will allow. It is my opinion that it was not the purpose to capitalize upon the tragedy that struck this serene community near my home, nor to point a finger at Mr. Charlie Roberts and his family. Instead, the film's purpose was to address the radicalness of forgiveness in a world which does not often seek to forgive nor teaches forgiveness. The story, and the example of our Amish Christian brethren, is that of illustrating the beauty and strength of the forgiveness that Christ Jesus Himself commanded of his apostles, and also of us. Forgiveness is not easy to carry out, nor to feel in one's heart. Forgiveness is a decision of the will not to seek to carry out vengeance towards another person. Only God, Who is all-knowing and all-loving can truly know what's going on in a person's heart...the one who carries out a fault against another. So, it follows that God forgives, and as we believe and trust in Him, we also are able to imitate His forgiveness, though we cannot, in our human limitations, completely understand a situation. Jesus asks us to take the higher road. Our unforgiveness is an obstacles to the healing and faith of others. To live in His peace is God's will for all mankind.

Amish Grace does not seek a major film award. Perhaps it was not perfect in writing, scope, and dialogue, but it is the lesson of forgiveness that is its banner. I hope many, many people see this film and hearten to its lessons. May all people grow in respect of our Amish neighbors and learn also from their simple, quiet, trusting faith in God. We have much to learn from their choice to be separate (holy) unto the Lord. Thanks for reading this.

Murder in God country

[sol-kay · 8/10 · 2 April 2010]

**SPOILERS** On the morning of October 2, 2006 Charles Roberts, John Churchill, or Charlie the Milkman as he's known in the Bart Township Amish Community walked into the little West Nickel Mines school and gunned down ten Amish girls, between the ages of 6 and 13, five of whom later died! As if this wasn't shocking enough a bigger shock was yet to follow with the Amish Community as well as the victims family members showing up at Charlie's house and expressing forgiveness to his grieving wife Amy, Tammy Blanchard, and her dad Henry Taskey, Gary Graham, for what Charlie did!

This set off shock waves all over the country in the Amish ways of not letting a tragedy of even this magnitude have hate take over both their hearts and souls towards the now deceased, who put a bullet in his brain, Carles Roberts! It was only Ida Gaber, Kimberly Williams-Smith, the mother of one of Charlie's victims her 13 year old daughter Mary Beth, Madison Davenport, who couldn't bring herself to forgive Charlie for what he did. It was Ida's steadfast hatred towards not only Charlie but his wife Amy, who was completely devastated by what her husband did, as well. That's until one of the survivors of Charlie's murder spree and Mary Beth's best friend Rebecca Knepp, Darcy Rose Byrnes, told both Ida and her husband Gideon, Matt Letscher, the last world that Mary Beth said just before a crazed and deranged Charlie Roberts blew her away with his shotgun! It was something that a true believing person in God's undeniable love and mercy, even for someone like Charlie, could have uttered and it turned Ida's life around.

In a world filled with violence hatred and revenge the Amish have lived the kind of life that most of us could only envy. With strong family ties and deep religious beliefs crime even petty crime is almost unknown in the Amish Community in Pennsylvania's Lancaster County where the murders took place. The very fact that a horror like what happened at the West Nickel Mines School did take place put the Amish living there to the test in proving to the world that they practice what they preach in forgiving those who sin even if the sin involves the murder of their own innocent children!

Ida who was about to leave the Amish Community as well as her husband Gideon and take her surviving daughter seven year old Kaite, Karley Scott Collins, along with her was blinded by the hatred and violence that the crazed milkman Charlie Roberts inflicted on her and her family. It was Mary Beth's last words on earth directed at Charlie, who was just about to gun her down, that opened Ida's eyes. It was then that Ida, like her husband Gideon always told her, saw that hatred only survives if it's nurtured by those who have it in their hearts and stays with them their entire lives. And forgiving those whom that hatred is directed upon is the best way to cure it and the suffering and misery that goes along with it!

It's all about forgiveness

[maricam · 9/10 · 28 June 2010]

I haven't been this delighted with a movie in a long time. The script was smart, the topic timely and important, the message clear, and the visuals very watchable. It's a rare movie that I can give my own double thumbs up to and recommend to anyone of my acquaintance without added disclaimers about what might offend or annoy them. This is a movie about the value of forgiveness plain and simple (no pun intended).

The movie is based on the real life events that took place in Nickel Mine, Pennsylvania in 2006 when a gunman entered an Amish schoolhouse and shot ten school girls. The gunman then killed himself. The Amish community immediately reached out in love to the widow of the gunman.

As you can imagine Christian teachings are a core part of the plot but there is nothing preachy about this movie. It's not meant to be an evangelical tool like some movies such as the "Left Behind" series . As I said before, this movie is about forgiveness -- the "mechanics" of forgiveness if you will. What does forgiveness look like using the Christian model? How is it done? To whom is it extended? The movie addresses these questions and more.

One reason why I think this is one of the smartest scripts I've ever seen is the way these questions are presented. Nothing is sugar- coated. The hard questions are asked and the answers are not spoon-fed to us by writers trying to make their own private points but rather left be answered by each individual. Some answers are demonstrated for us by the players in the movie. Not everyone feels like they can forgive the killer and there are a wide variety of reasons given for this. For those who are determined to forgive we are given a glimpse at their inner struggle and the process they go through to reach the place where they can forgive and move on with their lives. It's made abundantly clear that forgiving people is not easy but is as vital to living as breathing.

Another reason the script is smart is because it doesn't insult my intelligence or feel it has to show and tell me everything. The murders themselves are alluded to but there isn't a drop of blood to be seen in this movie. Reading up on the actual events the crime scene was described as horrific -- there wasn't a surface inside the one room schoolhouse that was not covered in either blood or broken glass. We don't need to see these things to know how horrible the slaughter was and I appreciate that. The acting is good enough that we understand very clearly what these folks were facing.

For those looking for a factual retelling of the tragedy, this isn't it. A disclaimer at the beginning of the movie explains clearly that this is a fictionalized account based on a true story. It goes on to make clear that the main characters in the story, the Graber family, are completely fictional. The event is merely a vehicle to talk about forgiveness and the point is well made. This is not a documentary.

So, whether you're "religious" or not, the message of forgiveness is completely applicable to anyone's life and the world would be a better place if more people practiced the unconditional forgiveness we're shown in "Amish Grace".

Best Performance in the Movie

[lorainejean3 · 31 August 2011]

This is a great movie. I borrowed it from our local library. I have been reading a lot of books lately on the Amish and am very interested in their lifestyle. This movie seemed to portray their lifestyle pretty accurately.

I was particularly impressed with Matt Letscher's performance as an Amish husband and father and a "plain man". It was excellent and right on target! I had never seen him before or even knew who he was but I signed onto this website just so I could let him know how good his portrayal was. His grief and pain were so real I couldn't hold back the tears. I know Ms Paisley got top billing and was supposed to be the star of the movie, but her performance was not that great. She was so angry all the time. I think it is easier to show anger than to show the grief and inner turmoil that Mr. Letscher had to portray.

I wish somehow this review will be read by him and he will know that his performance was appreciated.

Acting elevates it above other Lifetime movies

[YourFamilyExpert · 7/10 · 19 March 2017]

WHAT IS AMISH GRACE ABOUT?

Tells the story of the 2006 massacre of Amish schoolchildren by a mentally unstable gunman, that religious community's subsequent forgiveness of the murderer, and their outreach to his widow.

IS IT ANY GOOD? (GRADE: B)

Despite its status as a Lifetime movie and criticisms that it takes artistic liberties with actual events, Amish Grace emerges as a poignant and inspiring little movie. Due largely to acting and screen writing that are far better than expected, the film transcends its made-for-TV cinematography, editing, and musical score.

It's true, some of the peripheral characters aren't well-developed and come across as caricatures, but the lead performances by Kimberly Williams-Paisley (Father of the Bride), Matt Letscher (The Mask of Zorro), Tammy Blanchard (Bella), and Amy Sloan (The Day After Tomorrow) are all captivating, each giving wholly credible explorations of pain, loss, redemption, and healing. The screenplay intelligently makes a case for forgiveness, love, and faith without any trace of condescension or criticism. The paradox of the Amish shunning those who've left their faith while forgiving the greater sin of murder is brought up, but sadly left unexplored; still, this is a minor issue for a film this well-performed and moving.

Historical fiction has always created characters who are composites of actual people in order to streamline the narrative. Films like Titanic and Glory have done this to memorable effect, but rarely has this been attempted with events that are so recent. One may question the choice to focus on a fictional couple rather than actual people whose stories are certainly inspiring. However, by having protagonists who struggle and doubt more than the almost superhuman real-life Amish seemed to, the filmmakers have given the audience someone to relate to. Amish Grace, therefore, should be taken as very good historical fiction, not as history itself, though it will hopefully motivate viewers to learn more about the actual events.

IS IT OKAY FOR YOUR KIDS? Amish Grace was rated TV-PG. It tastefully addresses the true story of the massacre of Amish schoolchildren by a mentally unstable gunman. The shootings occur off-screen and though the characters see the bodies, the audience does not. Though it contains nothing offensive and is appropriate for families, the film is thematically intense as it deals with the emotional and spiritual aftermath of murder, so parents be aware and ready to discuss the story with mature children.

ANY WORTHWHILE MESSAGES? Forgiveness doesn't mean condoning wrong actions or letting someone escape consequences, it means letting go of bitterness and hate. You can find peace in loving those who've wronged you.

The Power of Forgiveness

[superlo · 9/10 · 18 September 2010]

STORY - Based on the true story of the murder of five innocent Amish school girls in 2006 in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. The main family in the story is fictional, however. Great acting and screenplay. Emotional without being manipulative. Violent without showing any violence. Inspirational without being preachy. I have always been critical of faith-based films that are basically 'sermons disguised as films'. Faith-based films should be great stories where the message is an integral part of the story. This is one of those. At the heart of the story is a horrific crime. A lone gunman backs his pickup to a one room Amish school, walks in and proceeds to kill five young Amish girls and wound five others. What happens after that is almost as unbelievable. Three Amish men, including the father of one of the victims, visit the home of the killer to offer forgiveness and help to the gunman's widow. But not everyone finds it easy to forgive. Ida Graber (Paisley) isn't buying it. 'I will not betray my daughter by forgiving her killer'. What follows is for the most part the struggle between two women, both mothers & wives, struggling with forgiveness and their husbands from two totally different perspectives. While we may all have a tendency to see the Amish as stoic and and almost mechanical or robotic in their faith, this is not at all what comes thru in the film. While raising (but not answering) some inconsistencies in their practices, we see them as real humans struggling to deal with this horrific crime against their community. One of the most powerful scenes is at the funeral for the gunman. This is a movie that will haunt you and stick with you as you consider (at least I did) how to live out a live of forgiving with even just the most mundane grievances. What could this mean for communities, our nation and our world if forgiveness were truly practiced. I highly recommend this film.

A Disney view of Amish tragedy

[steiner-sam · 7/10 · 19 May 2021]

The film is set in 2006 and is a fictionalized recounting of the West Nickel Mines School shooting and its aftermath when the local Amish community made international headlines for their forgiveness of the shooter, who killed himself. The film is loosely based on the non-fiction book of the same title by Donald Kraybill, Steve Nolt, and David L. Weaver-Zercher. The movie rights were sold by the book's publisher, but the authors declined to assist in the film's production in any way. "Amish Grace" was made for the Lifetime cable channel partly owned by the Walt Disney Company.

The movie opens six months after the shooting when the new Amish school building is being opened. A TV reporter introduces us to the setting. The film then shifts back to the days before the shooting and portrays a happy fictional Graber family. Father Gideon, Mother Ida, 14-year-old Mary Beth, and younger daughter Katie attend church, recount a story from the Martyrs Mirror, and discuss Mary Beth's desire to assist the teacher in her one-room school in anticipation of becoming a teacher herself. The only discordant note is Ida receiving a letter from her sister who lives in Philadelphia and has been shunned by the Amish after becoming a widow and marrying an Englisher from outside the faith. Gideon is very straight-laced, though he doesn't appear to be among the ordained leadership of the Amish district.

The film then follows the events leading up to the shooting by Charlie Roberts (without seeing gratuitous violence) and the reaction of his wife, her father, and their children to the horrific events as they unfold. Several Amish leaders, including Gideon, come to Amy's home after the shooting and make it clear they understand she has suffered loss as well and that they forgive her husband. However, Ida is unable to forgive, and this provides the storyline as the Graber family, along with others, work through their grief. Through Ida's emotional roller-coaster, the film attempts to explain what Amish forgiveness means and what it does not mean. This is the clearest derivative of the book.

Although there are numerous problems with the movie, it is very effective in its discussion of forgiveness. The emotional nature of the subject matter means you need a lot of kleenex near at hand.

Many nuances of Amish life are "off." The men are too well-groomed with neatly trimmed beards. The women expose way too much hair under their head coverings. The singing in church is exponentially too fast. The happiness meter of the Amish families before the shooting is way over the top in accord, I assume, with a "family-friendly" cable network. While the functioning of Amish "community" is evident in the film, the articulation of the community's role is lacking. The spoken English is too polished for a community with a grade 8 education. The movie made only one very oblique reference to Charlie Robert's original intent to sexually assault the Amish girls before killing them. There are all these little things, but I still think the film achieved what it intended in its focus on forgiveness.

When it was released, "Amish Grace" had the largest viewing audience of any Lifetime movie. It generally received positive reviews, especially from reviewers not familiar with the Amish. Those more familiar with the Amish were more critical about some of the nuances mentioned above and the fact that the Amish community did not appreciate this re-surfacing of its pain only four years earlier.

I haven't cried this much in a long time

[sarah-ann17 · 10/10 · 28 March 2010]

This was the most heartwarming, most amazing movie I have ever seen. It teaches you that no matter what happens in life, you should always have it in your heart to forgive those who do something so terrible that you think you will never be able to forgive them. Once you watch this movie, you will learn to appreciate life and the people around you more. You will learn that while forgiving someone isn't always the easiest thing to do, it's the right thing to do. The Amish are such beautiful, such kind people who's lives are based on love and forgiveness, and they always find the strength to go on. Once you see this movie, you will be deeply touched.

The Nature of Forgiveness

[OneView · 7/10 · 24 August 2020]

Murder is one of the hardest crimes to forgive and, in particular, anyone who has lot a child to murder, would be understood if they could not readily forgive those responsible. The courts of many jurisdictions allow survivors to speak at sentencing hearings to communicate something of the nature of their loss and grief - the impact of the crime. Understandably such statements are regularly defined by both a high level of grief and a wish for some form of judicial revenge. It is therefore difficult for many to understand the need of some to find a level of forgiveness towards those who commit significant wrongdoing. In 2006 a group of Amish people found in their faith and belief an ability to forgive the murderer of five children of their community and the wounding of several others. Amish Grace seeks to explain how such forgiveness could occur, even to the point of three elders visiting the widow of the killer on the very day of the heinous act. That approach, of trying to find understanding in a terrible tragedy, of reaching out even when you are screaming with pain, is the subject of Amish Grace. The script is perhaps a little prosaic and the story told without flourish but this is a message picture with a difficult message to absorb. That it for the most part succeeds in communicating a concept so foreign to many is to its absolute credit. Not a film to be watched for high production values or stellar acting but it manages to convey its messages well.

An insult to the Amish Community and the families affected by this tragedy

[jvmu1999 · 1/10 · 31 March 2010]

I've never written a review before, but I feel compelled to with this movie. I live in Central PA, I've spent most of my life here, and I work in the media. I remember this tragedy very, very well. I didn't want to watch this movie, but I was visiting a house where it was on. The Amish way of life was very poorly portrayed, it's almost as though the filmmakers did no research. From the little things, Amish don't have curtains on their windows or decorative plates in their homes, to larger issues, no Amish person spoke on camera to the media, they had a spokesperson. They tried to make Ida more like a modern, non-Amish woman in her personality in order to make it easier for those of us outside the Amish lifestyle to understand her better. I know this is a Lifetime movie, but did they have to make her seem like a battered woman seeking help from an outside source to escape. Really?? I remember no mention of a sister being shunned, I can guarantee the media would have been all over her as someone who could go on camera, so I really believe that was a fictional element added to the story to add more conflict. The Amish community pulled together and wanted to handle this tragedy on their own, with no outside help. They never turned to the media, only sending statements through a spokesperson when the media wouldn't leave them alone. The group of grandfathers who went to Roberts' house never spoke to the media, nor would they! They asked people to stop sending money, but millions of dollars came in. Some was accepted to help build a ramp into the home of the one girl who was left in a vegetative state. The only help they asked for and accepted were rides to the hospitals (they were all too far away to take the horse and buggy) and the use of construction vehicles to tear down the original school in the early hours of the morning. There was no reporter who struck up a relationship like that with one of the mothers. The local media has a lot of respect for the Amish and their beliefs. While they were there to get the story, they kept their distance. They didn't do things like shoot Ida's husband straight on and follow him while saying "Do you think that's a father?" The Amish don't allow photos of themselves to be taken and as such, the local media knows how to shoot them (ie from behind or from a distance) in order to allow them some space. For those of you who think this was a correct portrayal of the Amish, just remember it was very skewed to make a more compelling movie, however, with this story nothing needed to be added or changed to tell a heartbreaking story. The authors of the book that the movie was based on publicly distanced themselves from this movie and donated all the money they were given to charity, not even they wanted anything to do with this. Unless you lost a child in a horrific way, none of us can truly understand what these families went through. But the Amish community is very different from those of us outside the community. Different in their beliefs and their lifestyles. By trying to make Ida more like us so that we understand what she's going through was an insult to what all these families went through and how they dealt with it. It's a good thing the Amish don't have televisions so they were spared any image from this movie. Oh, and not only was it poorly researched, but the writing and acting was terrible!

A Depiction of Struggle With Mercy and Grace

[bdha · 10/10 · 28 March 2010]

Amish Grace is an amazing depiction of grace and forgiveness, yet it shows the struggle of real people to offer the forgiveness they have been taught to give. I appreciate the fact that although the writers wanted to show the amazing forgiveness offered by this community to an terrible aggressor, they show an honest look into the lives of those who struggle to act according to the faith they are living.

I was also touched by the affective communication and interaction of this separatist community with the "English" (those outside their community). I found this movie to be a very respectful depiction of this people who are little understood by outsiders.

I'm thankful for this cinematic look into the community and hearts of a people so moved by God to love and forgive in the midst of great loss and tragedy.

This can't be authentic.

[celco74 · 2/10 · 29 August 2011]

I've watched only a few documentaries about the Amish, but even from that few I get the impression that this movie fails awfully to give an authentic portrait of the Amish and their way of life.

most of all, it looks like the usual Hollywood-formatted actors and actresses (who are just used to deliver the same performances over and over again) have been put into Amish clothes (the dresses, the suits, the hats, ...) and that's it. for them it doesn't really matter if they are wearing futuristic space suits, medieval garments or just plain jeans and t-shirts. they just deliver their usual acting routine in a Disney-ish happy family idyll environment.

the same mimics all over again, as seen in countless other American (aka "english" in Amish-speak) movies before.

for me it's just more of the same, just that this time it comes in Amish hats. and that's what's wrong with this movie.

So accurate

[annieismycat · 10/10 · 16 January 2011]

I live within an hour of the tragedy of the Amish school shooting. I also live in a community with many Amish families who live and work among us. I can only say that we should all live more within the values of the Amish. This movie depicts their culture and faith as accurately as any movie could. It showed that even the people with the strongest faith can question the course of things. But their ways would move us all. I cried so much at this movie, more than at any that I have watched in all my years. The actors brought the Amish community to life. I would have swore that I was in my own community. They could have spoke more with a Dutch accent English like the Amish in my community but the acting was genuine and the message clear. It was a tragedy, one that I myself would have a hard time with forgiveness but they are 100% right in their words, thoughts and actions. I found the movie tasteful and in no means degrading or 'overdone'. Anyone involved in the making of this film should be proud.

It is about forgiveness!

[jackrhr · 8/10 · 10 April 2010]

I don't know if this would be considered to contain a spoiler or not.

I knew when I watched the movie that it was a fictionalized, Hollywoodized version of the actual events on that horrible day. I was not be put off by what I expected. What impressed me most about the movie was the unconditional love and unconditional forgiveness on the part of Amish people in the midst of such tragedy. I found the Amish reaction to be a worthy goal and a challenge to my own spirituality and way of handling adversity in my life. The authenticity of Amish life that was portrayed was irrelevant to me. I found the acting to be acceptable and would recommend this movie highly to people who want to understand the nature of love and forgiveness.

Powerful message about forgiveness

[vchimpanzee · 29 June 2010]

I don't have cable at home beyond the local channels and WGN, but I was lucky to be at a motel when this aired.

I had a totally different view of the Amish from the way this movie depicted them. They didn't have electricity or modern conveniences, but they had nice houses. They were not uptight or judgmental, except for shunning members of their group who chose to leave. The children seemed happy; almost no one wanted to experience life on the outside.

And these people showed the true meaning of forgiveness like I have never seen it. One of the best performances, and one of the best illustrations of the true meaning of forgiveness, came from an actor playing a gray-bearded farmer who raised corn. Sorry I don't know his name.

Of course one of these people had doubts and nearly lost her faith. Who wouldn't? In fact, one woman who lost two children knew she should forgive but seemed to stay mad at the man who committed the terrible deed; she forgave him many times a day. In a sense, that's what forgiveness means, although I'm sure it should mean to forgive once and never have to do it again. But this woman really seemed to understand her faith and was just having great difficulty.

One of the most powerful statements was the way these people supported the widow of the shooter; a group of men came to her house not to chastise her but to forgive her husband and to ask what she needed from them.

I don't recall any weaknesses in the film. Everyone did a good job of acting. Even the TV reporters who had major roles showed the true meaning of what journalism should be in this situation, as opposed to the vultures who were the majority.

I was very surprised at the plain-vanilla TV-PG V-chip rating. But there's nothing here that would make the film inappropriate for older children. True, it is suggested some children die, and we see the grief and hear about what happened, but what happened in that schoolhouse is never shown. It's as mild as it can possibly be considering the circumstances. The description by one survivor who woke up from a coma once again drives home the point about what good Christians these people are.

Everyone should see this.

Was an outstanding movie

[darrinkissinger · 10/10 · 1 July 2021]

For those that want to learn to forgive this is an ideal movie.

Bad depiction of Amish faith

[alisonrene · 2/10 · 14 June 2012]

This movie was horribly researched Amish speak with a German accent is one, they are also not encouraged to read out of the bible and it's also written in a difficult language that not even a lot of Amish can read. Another problem with this film is the Amish don't grieve long, they have a funeral and once dirt is thrown over the body they are not to speak of the deceased again I.e. they tore down the school after the shooting and built a new one in another location. The show Amish: out of order with Mose Gingrich explains how they deal with death and they certainly don't seek counseling from an outside source! Also the fact that she had accepted a dress from her sister who is shunned and pictures, if the elders knew she was receiving these things they would have shunned her as well. If the main character was actually planning to leave the Amish she certainly wouldn't have discussed it with her husband she would have just battled that decision on her own. And had they gotten a divorce there would be no exchanging of the child, the youngest daughter would remain in the Amish until she was old enough to leave the faith herself.

I FORGIVE The People Here Who Gave This Movie A Bad Review

[parker-53094 · 8/10 · 16 February 2022]

Even though some things are unforgivable

😂

Seriously people lighten up. Especially you Amish experts. What did you expect from the "English" over at Lifetime? No it's not authentic. But the acting was quite good.

The lack of authenticity, and more specifically the reasons why Lifetime would deliberately make it unauthentic is probably another reason why the Amish don't have TVs. It's all bs.

Eventually the TV people will come out with an Amish Rapper. And then have him do a Super Bowl halftime show..

"Come out from among them" is making more and more sense every day. Isn't it?

A mess.

Moving story but not researched well

[kittygirly · 5/10 · 21 January 2023]

This is a good story. I remember watching it when it first came out and seeing the tragedy of the story.

Now living in Lancaster County I can hardly stand the watch it. The wardrobe is completely inaccurate. The women and girls have black aprons over their dresses (except white for church), their bonnet strings should be much longer, etc. Amish men do not wear three piece suits. Just the coat and pants. And their beards are far to neatly trimmed. Their buggies are incorrect as well. It pains me to see how badly they designed things. If they had put more effort into correctly portraying the Amish, this movie would be ten times better.

Powerful, Honest Portrayal of the Power of Forgiveness

[dmv3113 · 9/10 · 24 November 2023]

Though the makers of this film got many things wrong in the depiction of Amish home life (a large open hutch filled with decorative plates on display, an Amish woman sleeping in her bonnet? - Absurd.) ALL is FORGIVEN for the powerful message and the honest portrayal of how difficult it is sometimes to follow Christ and obey; but oh, the rewards! Great cast, great acting, great dialogue; though I do wish the Amish had been portrayed with the Dutch/German accent.

The catalyst event was handled with great discretion and sensitivity. The tension between a bereaved mother and the widow of the shooter was masterfully portrayed, and spot on!

This is an important movie about an important topic, and is desperately needed in the world now!

I'm going to watch it again.

What tears? Those are not tears...I'm sweating....through my eyes.....

[slurredprey · 10/10 · 7 December 2020]

Wh- what? N-no (sob) I'm not crying...you're crying!

My eyes leaked a little

[FluffydaMovieslayer · 5/10 · 15 June 2021]

I was doing so well until the "Amish people " go to the funeral .... If your eyes don't leak a little at that part you have a heart of stone.

I would of rated it higher - but feel the lack of accuracy did not do the real event the horrible brutality - the depths it deserves.