MovieChat Forums > Oh, God! (1977) Discussion > Televangelist (Paul Sorvino) is cheap sh...

Televangelist (Paul Sorvino) is cheap shot at Billy Graham

posted 16 years ago by jimbo-38
7 replies | jump to latest

I'm sitting here watching the Billy Graham Christmas Special on NBC. I've heard Billy Graham speak in the past, but never preach. On this special, there are videos of Bill Graham preaching, and it hit me like a ton of bricks- the Rev. Willie Williams character played by Paul Sorvino is a dead on imitation of Billy Graham. Compare the accent, tone, cadence, inflection and it's Billy Graham spot on. I've always enjoyed this film. For the first time, I realize this one character is a cheap shot at a very respectable minister.

[–] sstack-3 16 years ago

I don't think it's necessarily a cheap shot at Billy Graham...although I know what you mean by the accent (living in the South I'm all too familiar with the Southern Baptist "hellfire and damnation" preachers that take over the T.V. on Sunday mornings). I think it's more aimed at the Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart-types who use the television pulpit for their own nefarious purposes...bilking their flock out of money and all the while purporting to do "God's will". They are a dime a dozen. Billy Graham, as you point out, is a notable exception to this televangelist stereotype.

[–] tomloft2000 15 years ago

agreed,it was probably an impression of Graham,but as you say not necessarily an indictment of him.as far as i know,no one has ever produced any evidence of wrongdoing in the Graham ministry.

[–] evenstev2003 16 years ago

Its was surreal seeing him in that role, he played it well, but it was a little shock seeing him as a preacher.

[–] hachmom-1 15 years ago

I live in Ohio, land of Ernest Angley "healings" and the preacher in Oh God did not remind me of Billy Graham at all but rather of the megachurch, money requesting, faith healing, Oral Roberts comes to mind type of televangelist. I do not think the charecter was aimed at Billy Graham at all, who always demonstrated far more integrity and scruples than most of his imitators.

It is not our abilities that make us who we are...it is our choices

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] pyrexia_of_u_o 15 years ago

What makes it a cheap shot anyway?
What I mean at the end of the day; so what if it is taking a shot at him, even a cheap one at that ?
The movie was basically amongst other things saying that the path to God is varied. You don't need this or
that rev. to get to him. IMO :-)

[–] 15 years ago

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