Raising the Bar, the Alma Richards Story

This was a really great and beautiful story told in a very awkward way. The movie consisted of two things and only these two things. First, awkward moments intended to be funny. Second, a handsome and well-casted actor who was supposed to be playing someone awkward, but actually wasn't made fun of by people who were actually awkward and very intentionally so. I enjoyed the story, but the way it was told made me feel uncomfortable almost the entire sitting. There were just so many long, awkward pauses between different actors at different times. I'd still recommend seeing it, but if there were a book about it, I'd recommend that more.

Brief preamble: there is a lot of history packed into the end during the credits so do be sure to stick around.

That being said this is a wonderful film in the grand tradition of sportsmen overcoming obstacles, literally in this case (the high jump bar).

This is a film firmly rooted in family and faith (in keeping with other productions from these filmmakers) so if you've enjoyed their other films you're guaranteed to like this.

Hollywood doesn't seem to be able to make these kinds of movies anymore so it's reassuring to see people stepping into the gap to provide quality entertainment for the whole family. These movies can still be made and SHOULD be made.

I've liked many of these based-on-a-true-story inspirational stories and disliked some. THis one gripped me the most. The acting, costuming and make-up capturing the era are superb. For a no-name cast, I was extremely impressed - especially the one-or-two scene actors getting everything as if I watching it live. The story seems to have been impeccably researched. There's never a slow moment.

A number of these inspirational films get very religious and preachy. This one barely mentions church, just personal integrity and purpose-of-life. Alma's spirituality is very understated until the climactic scene and even then it's just deeply personal. It's his humility, perseverance and strength of spirit that carries him to achieve what no one before him could do. I thoroughly loved it from start to finish.

The story moves well from one scene to the next. The characters play their parts well. It's not as action packed as Mission Impossible, but it is far more genuine.

The telling of wholesome, true stories is a critical part of healthy culture, and this movie succeeds admirably in that responsibility.

I will now go do more research on the inspiring life of Alma Richards.

This is a great movie... leave it to the Mormons for good ones, have you seen THE FOURTH WISE MAN? Put this on Social media.... We watched a good movie tonight called raising the bar that had Jim Thorpe in it. Have a few photo's of him and Ernie Nevers, Gene's father together. This is a movie about doing well under oppression and opposition. Overcoming demons of hate that live in body's.. he did well. There is a great playlist on youtube called Ernie Nevers playlist.