Born Again (film)
| Industry | Film distribution |
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Born Again is a 1978 American biographical drama film helmed by seasoned director Irving Rapper, which depicts Charles Colson's involvement in the Watergate scandal, his subsequent Christian faith transformation, and incarceration. The cast features Dean Jones portraying Colson, Anne Francis as his spouse, Dana Andrews in the role of Tom Phillips, Harry Spillman as President Nixon, with former Senator Harold Hughes appearing as himself, and includes George Brent in his final cinematic appearance. Distributed by Avco Embassy Pictures, the movie’s title track "Born Again," composed by Les Baxter with lyrics by Craig Johnson, was performed by Larnelle Harris.
Plot
Serving as special counsel to President Nixon, Colson holds considerable influence with a White House office. After the fallout of the Watergate scandal, he admits guilt and undergoes imprisonment. This ordeal leads to a profound personal change and the establishment of Prison Fellowship, an international Christian outreach organization.
Cast
- Dean Jones as Charles Colson
- Anne Francis as Patty Colson
- Jay Robinson as David Shapiro
- Dana Andrews as Tom Phillips
- Raymond St. Jacques as Jimmy Newsom
- George Brent as Judge Gerhard Gesell
- Harold Hughes as Himself
- Billy Graham as Himself
- Harry Spillman as President Richard M. Nixon
- Scott Walker as Scanlon
- Robert Gray as Paul Kramer
- Arthur Roberts as Al Quie
- Ned Wilson as Douglas Coe
- Dean Brooks as Dick Howard
- Christopher Conrad as Christian "Chris" Colson
- Peter Jurasik as Henry Kissinger
- Stuart Lee as Wendell Colson
- Richard Caine as H.R. Haldeman
- Brigid O'Brien as Holly Holm
- Robert Broyles as John Ehrlichman
- Anthony Canne as Burkhardt
- Corinne Michaels as Raquel Ramirez
Production
Filming for Born Again took place between December 14, 1977, and February 8, 1978, at prominent Washington, D.C. landmarks including the Capitol Building, White House, Executive Office Building, Justice Department, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, St. John's Episcopal Church, and the Watergate complex.
Additional exterior scenes were captured in California. The Los Angeles County Superior Court stood in for Judge Gesell's courtroom, while the California Institution for Men in Chino served to represent the federal prison camp at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama where Colson was incarcerated. Interior scenes were filmed on soundstages at The Burbank Studios featuring detailed recreations of offices belonging to H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, and Colson himself; several personal items from Colson were used on set.
Release
The film premiered globally at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on September 24, 1978, with Charles Colson present.
Distribution occurred through 200 prints rolled out in three regional waves over two-week intervals:
- September 29–October 6, 1978: Washington, D.C., Chicago, Dallas, Seattle, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Portland
- November 3–December 10, 1978: Charlotte, Los Angeles, Denver, Milwaukee
- Christmas–New Year's 1978-79: Minneapolis, Des Moines, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Indianapolis, New Orleans
To engage the nationwide Christian audience effectively, producers partnered with a religious public relations specialist. The promotional efforts included benefit premiere events supporting Colson’s organization Prison Fellowship.
Reception
According to a review by TV Guide, the film Born Again depicts Colson, portrayed by Jones, coming to terms with his errors and discovering enduring faith while incarcerated. The narrative sympathetically presents him as a blameless individual ensnared in the intricate political machinations of Washington, without any explicit culpability.
Home media
Crown Movie Classics issued a 30th-anniversary DVD edition of the movie for Region 1 on January 13, 2009.