John Wesley (film)

John Wesley (also known as The Life of John Wesley) is a 1954 British historical film directed by Norman Walker and starring Leonard Sachs, Neil Heayes and Keith Pyott.^[1][2] It was written by Lawrence Barrett. It depicts the life of the father of Methodism, John Wesley.

John Wesley
Directed by	Norman Walker
Screenplay by	Lawrence Barrett
Produced by	Clifford Jeapes
Starring	Leonard Sachs Neil Heayes Keith Pyott
Cinematography	Hone Glendinning
Edited by	Duncan Spence David Powell (as Dave Powell)
Music by	Henry Reed
Production companies	G.H.W. Productions Radio and Film Commission of the Methodist Church in co-operation with J.Arthur Rank
Distributed by	General Film Distributors (UK)
Release date	20 April 1954 (1954-04-20) (US)
Running time	77 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

Plot

Rescued from a burning house as a child, John Wesley believes the experience marked him for a higher purpose, a ‘brand from the burning.’ The film follows Wesley's years at Oxford and as a clergyman, his disagreements with the church over the social position of the clergy, his mission to America, the founding of Methodism, and his bringing of the Gospel into the lives of ordinary people.

Cast

• Leonard Sachs as John Wesley
• Gerard Lohan as Wesley as a child
• Neil Heayes as Wesley as a student
• Keith Pyott as Rev. Samuel Wesley
• Curigwen Lewis as Susannah Wesley
• John Witty as Peter Bohler
• Derek Aylward as Charles Wesley
• Patrick Barton as George Whitefield
• John Slater as condemned man
• Philip Leaver as Beau Nash
• Joss Ambler as Trustee of Georgia
• Andrew Cruickshank as Trustee of Georgia
• Horace Sequiera as Trustee of Georgia
• Sydney Moncton as Trustee of Georgia
• Erik Chitty as Trustee of Georgia
• George Bishop as Trustee of Georgia
• Milton Rosmer as Trustee of Georgia
• Henry Hewitt as Bishop of Bristol
• Patrick Holt as Thomas Maxfield
• Arthur Young as King George II
• Vincent Holman as Beaumont, a Quaker
• Edward Jewesbury as James Hutton
• Julien Mitchell as Tom Dekkar
• Harry Towb as Michael O'Rory
• Neal Arden as William Holland
• F.B.J. Sharp as vicar
• Roger Maxwell as General Holt
• Roddy Hughes as Mr. Bligh

Production

The film was financed by J. Arthur Rank, a prominent Methodist layman, and with contributions from the church.^{[3][permanent dead link]}

Critical reception

Allmovie wrote, "The budget didn't allow for a professional cast, thus many potentially worthwhile scenes are laid low by amateurish acting. On the other hand, the film is quite slick and accomplished on a technical level, thanks to the first-rate cinematography of Hone Glendenning and the assured direction of Norman Walker."^[4]

TV Guide gave the film three out of five stars, noting, "This handsomely mounted biography of the title Methodist leader was originally conceived as a short black-and-white film, but was expanded to include more of Wesley's life and work...The plot is minimal, focusing on the young Wesley's studies and the development of his principles, but the production values are excellent and Leonard Sachs' Wesley is superb. The initial release of the film went to some 500 churches that contributed to the $200,000 budget in return for first rights on viewing."^{[3][permanent dead link]}