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IMDbPro

La croix et le poignard

Original title: The Cross and the Switchblade
  • 1970
  • PG
  • 1h 46m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
1.3K
YOUR RATING
Pat Boone and Erik Estrada in La croix et le poignard (1970)
Long before faith-based films became a regular feature of mainstream movie theaters, there was The Cross and The Switchblade. The story of Pastor David Wilkerson and gang member, Nicki Cruz.
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Long before faith-based films became a regular feature of mainstream movie theaters, there was "The Cross and The Switchblade," the story of Pastor David Wilkerson and gang member Nicky Cruz... Read allLong before faith-based films became a regular feature of mainstream movie theaters, there was "The Cross and The Switchblade," the story of Pastor David Wilkerson and gang member Nicky Cruz.Long before faith-based films became a regular feature of mainstream movie theaters, there was "The Cross and The Switchblade," the story of Pastor David Wilkerson and gang member Nicky Cruz.

  • Director
    • Don Murray
  • Writers
    • Don Murray
    • James Bonnet
    • Elizabeth Sherrill
  • Stars
    • Pat Boone
    • Erik Estrada
    • Jacqueline Giroux
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.0/10
    1.3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Don Murray
    • Writers
      • Don Murray
      • James Bonnet
      • Elizabeth Sherrill
    • Stars
      • Pat Boone
      • Erik Estrada
      • Jacqueline Giroux
    • 40User reviews
    • 15Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:54
    Trailer

    Photos4

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    Top cast35

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    Pat Boone
    Pat Boone
    • David Wilkerson
    Erik Estrada
    Erik Estrada
    • Nicky Cruz
    Jacqueline Giroux
    Jacqueline Giroux
    • Rosa
    • (as Jackie Giroux)
    Jo-Ann Robinson
    • Little Bo
    Dino DeFilippi
    • Israel
    Don Blakely
    Don Blakely
    • Abdullah
    Gil Frazier
    • Big Cat
    Don Lamond
    • Sergeant Delano
    Sam Capuano
    • Hector Gomez
    Alex Colon
    Alex Colon
    • Mingo
    Hechter Ubarry
    Hechter Ubarry
    • Moonlight
    • (as Hector Mercado)
    Stew Silver
    • Augie
    Dorothy James
    • Graciela Gomez
    David Connell
    • Pusher
    Michelle Galjour
    • Angela
    Jackie Cronin
    • Norma
    Virginia Alonso
    • Mary
    Steven Blackwell
    • Bottlecap
    • (as Darryl Speer)
    • Director
      • Don Murray
    • Writers
      • Don Murray
      • James Bonnet
      • Elizabeth Sherrill
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews40

    6.01.2K
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    Featured reviews

    6jmworacle-99025

    Book was much better.

    To me it seemed that the movie was a rush job. The book is a very powerful tool for telling the word of Christ. According to the sequel: "Beyond The Cross and the Switchblade" after the movie came out contributions started to drop off. Finally Pastor Wilkerson found out that due to the success people thought their contributions were no longer needed. Funny thing, the distributor of the film went bankrupt. Overall the work that "Teen Challenge" later to become "World Challenge" is tremendous. From a tiny acorn a mighty oak has grown.
    8legendsofrock2003

    God loves Nicky Cruz

    This is the best made amateur Christian film of all time! It is the true story of preacher David Wilkerson who felt called by God to go into the city to help the troubled gang members. The acting can be uneven at times but the direction was very well done. Eric Estrada is excellent as Nicky Cruz. The biggest problem with this production is the musical soundtrack. The story is very good even if the dialog is somewhat hokey. All in all a good solid entertaining film that should convert even the toughest of skeptics. It realistically deals with what life on the streets is all about. See this movie, you'll be glad you did!
    7heavenzkiss777

    Very good movie

    OK, I agree, the movie does have some bad acting in it but until u meet the actual man the movie has a lot less meaning & does seem a bit laughable. I met Nicky Cruz not long ago & I believe meeting him & hearing the story from him made the movie a lot more meaningful & I really enjoy it. I suggest that if you get a chance meet the man. I believe his story can really change lives, something definitely changed in me when I met him. If you haven't seen it yet I suggest you do. If its your first time seeing it, keep in mind that it is a true story, maybe you will take it a bit more seriously. And just try to block out the bad acting in some points of the movie =)
    amblinalong

    More than a Spiritual Movie

    I saw this movie when I was 13 years old, while first released at the theaters. It has stayed with me ever since. I am not a religious person, and the heart of this movie is not in my memory for spiritual reasons. It is the true story of the heartbreaking struggles of a few, then dozens, then hundreds of streetkids. It is the true story of the bitter-sweet survival, recovery, success of one after another. And the utter sadness in the loss and waste of those lost to drugs, crime, and/or prison. What moved me wasn't as much the tenacity and courage of the preacher who gave up his comforts to live and work among those of the street, which was enormous, but the fact that these kids were found, or found someone, to pull them out, to fight for them until they finally became capable of fighting for themselves. There is both humor and drama in this story of kids who learned through the efforts of one single man, constantly, unrelentlessly, with creativity and iron testicles, that they can overcome.
    divad-2

    Very spiritual.

    This movie is very spiritual and moving. For a low budget movie this comes across as very professional and mostly well acted. It goes on to show that belief in Jesus takes more guts than having cowardly self interest and hate in us. Great to see a movie that is not only a real positive message, but a fact, as I have met the real Nicky Cruise and know it is true.

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      According to "Run Baby Run", the autobiography of Nicky Cruz, the Mau Mau gang actually wore black leather jackets with crimson double M's on the back instead of red jackets with white double M's, as depicted in the film.
    • Goofs
      The story takes place in the early 1950s, but in one scene Big Cat references Medicaid, which wasn't established until 1965.

      The original story took place in the 1950s, but the movie took place in its "present day", circa 1970.
    • Quotes

      Nicky Cruz: You come near me and I'll kill you!

      David Wilkerson: Yeah, you could do that. You could cut me up into a thousand pieces and lay them in the street, and every piece will still love you.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Pigeon d'argile (1971)

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    FAQ15

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 1970 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • La cruz y el puñal
    • Filming locations
      • New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Dick Ross Productions
      • Gateway Films
      • Responsible Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross US & Canada
      • $414,754
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      • 1h 46m(106 min)
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 16:9 widescreen

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