A Great Awakening (2026)
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2025-09 to 2026-08 · Missing measurements appear as gaps.
The film explores the profound friendship and spiritual influence between George Whitefield and Benjamin Franklin during the Great Awakening.
The story
Set during the era of the Great Awakening, the film follows the enduring friendship between the preacher George Whitefield and the polymath Benjamin Franklin. While at the Constitutional Convention, Franklin reflects on their long history together, beginning with Whitefield's powerful preaching in Philadelphia and their subsequent partnership in publishing sermons. The narrative explores the spiritual impact Whitefield had on Franklin's life and the complexities of their differing beliefs as they navigate the historical moments leading up to the formation of the United States.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
During the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin reminisces about his long friendship with George Whitefield. They first met in Philadelphia, where Whitefield's preaching was so powerful it astonished Franklin. They later collaborated on publishing many of Whitefield's sermons. In their final meeting, Whitefield urged Franklin to find salvation in Christ; though Franklin, a deist, initially declined, he eventually turned to God in Christ in 1789. This spiritual shift led Franklin to call the Constitutional Convention to pray to God, a moment documented in historical records.
- First release year
- 2026
- Runtime (minutes)
- 129
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Joshua Enck
- Writers
- Jeff Bender · writer; Jonathan Blair · writer; Joshua Enck · writer
- Cast and characters
- John Paul Sneed · Benjamin Franklin; Jonathan Blair · George Whitefield; Josh Bates · Alexander Hamilton; Stephen Foster Harris · William Blount; Zac Johnson · Caleb Strong; Matt Meyer · Robert Yates; Russell Dean Schultz · George Washington
- Genres
- historical drama
- Themes
- Friendship; Faith; Religious Awakening
- Tone and mood
- Historical; Reflective
- Premise and plot tags
- Biographical; Historical Drama; Religious History
- Reception
- Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film a rare average grade of "A+" on an A+ to F scale.
- Reported review scores
- CinemaScore · score: A+ · scale: A+ to F
- Production trivia
- The film marks Sight & Sound's 50th anniversary.; Principal photography took place in Lancaster County, including in Ronks and East Earl Township.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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