The Cross and the Switchblade

"One man's desperation. Another man's hopeful journey."

Jun 1 1970 PG 1h 46m
Biography, Crime, Drama

David Wilkerson's first five years in New York City, where he ministered to disillusioned youth, encouraging them to turn away from the drugs and gang violence they were involved with.

Plot

David Wilkerson is a relatively young parish priest in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania. With nominal funds, insufficient even to get a hotel room which forces him to sleep in his car, his church sends him to New York City to bring the word of God to the young men and youth of the Egyptian Kings, who are on trial for their violent gang activities. David hopes God will be their salvation. Although David is not allowed to get near the Egyptian Kings, his trip to the courthouse does garner much publicity. Because of that publicity, David meets a tough street youth named Little Bo, who offers to introduce David to the main gangs still out on the streets, namely the mixed white Mau Maus, and the predominantly black Bishops, who are fighting each other for territory. Who the gangs hate more than each other, however, are the authorities. David turns his attentions to the two gangs, and wants them to know that God loves them no matter who they are or what they do, and in doing so will guide them to make the right choices in life. He and his messages may be difficult to penetrate into the groups, but the general consensus is that if he can get through to Nicky Cruz, one of the leaders of the Mau Maus, he will be able to get through to anyone. But David hopes to get through to them all, at his own risk, especially as Nicky continually threatens him. Another that he sees who is especially in trouble is Rosa, Nicky's "girl" who will do anything to get the money to get her two injection per day heroin fixes.

Written by

Don Murray, James Bonnet, Elizabeth Sherrill

Directed by

Don Murray

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Responsible Entertainment, Gateway Productions

Languages

English

Awards

N/A

Scores
# of Votes
1,265
Average Rating
6 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA