A Great Awakening
A GREAT AWAKENING tells the true story of an unlikely friendship between the Reverend George Whitefield and Benjamin Franklin that resulted in one of the most defining moments in American history. With the colonies on the brink of collapse, the Reverend George Whitefield ignites the first Great Awakening, uniting an entire generation with his thundering and faithful sermons and proclamations of liberty. In a miraculous turn of events, one of Whitefield’s closest friends and greatest promoters becomes none other than Benjamin Franklin. With the nation’s freedom hanging in the balance, the founders discover true liberty cannot only be written into law - it must be awakened in the hearts of the people.
Critics Sentiment
The last philosophical debate between Franklin and the dying Whitefield
George Whitefield's childhood and early years are shown
The film builds steadily from confusing timeline jumps early on to transcendent emotional peaks during Franklin and Whitefield's climactic debates
A Great Awakening receives overwhelmingly positive reception from viewers who praise Jonathan Blair's powerful performance as George Whitefield and the film's respectful treatment of both faith and skepticism. The sentiment arc builds from initial confusion over timeline structure to sustained high praise for the central friendship between Whitefield and Franklin, culminating in deeply moving scenes of spiritual transformation and philosophical debate. Reviewers consistently describe leaving the theater feeling inspired and emotionally stirred by the film's message about America's spiritual foundations.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 34
John Paul Sneed
Benjamin Franklin
Jonathan Blair
George Whitefield
JT Schaeffer
Benny Franklin Bache
Josh Bates
Alexander Hamilton
Joe Dignoti
Bread vendor
Stephen Foster Harris
William Blount
Zac Johnson
Caleb Strong
Matt Meyer
Robert Yates
Stephen Atherholt
Gunning Bedford Jr.
Ryan Jameson Hippe
William Seward
Carson Burkett
John Wesley
Alana Gerlach
Elizabeth Whitefield
Russell Dean Schultz
George Washington
Joshua Boulden
Thomas Burton / Hamlet
Henry Watt
Young Benjamin Franklin
Chris Faith
Josiah Franklin
Haven Enck
Janey Franklin
Jacob Daniel Cummings
James Madison
Chris Nelson
Edmund Randolph
Gracelyn Fulmer
Messenger Girl
Crew
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