2010
Sam Childers, an ex-con and biker, is released from prison and struggles to adapt to a normal life with his wife, Lynn, and daughter, Paige, eventually finding faith and getting baptized. After being laid off and facing financial hardship, Sam decides to go to Africa to help build a mission, where he witnesses the brutal realities of the Lord's Resistance Army's violence against children. Driven by a vision to build an orphanage, Sam returns home, constructs a church, and rescues his friend Donnie from drug addiction before heading back to Africa to establish the Children's Village orphanage. Sam's dedication to protecting the children leads him to engage in armed conflict with the LRA, causing him to become increasingly consumed by his mission and alienating his family and friends, especially after the death of his friend Donnie. After a period of despair and contemplating suicide, Sam rediscovers his purpose through a connection with an orphan named William, and he ultimately rescues William and other children from an LRA convoy, recommitting to his work in Africa.
Save the Cat beat sheet
A hardened former convict, Sam Childers, struggles with addiction and family life before experiencing a religious conversion.
Open full beat sheetSam Childers is listed as Protagonist. Stocky, 32-year-old ex-con, biker, later becomes a preacher and humanitarian in Africa. In the parsed data, Sam Childers is connected to 109 scenes, 200 dialogue lines, 204 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
109 scenes / 200 dialogue linesDeng is listed as SPLA soldier. An SPLA freedom fighter who guides Sam in Sudan. In the parsed data, Deng is connected to 41 scenes, 38 dialogue lines, 43 text mentions, first appearing around scene 26.
41 scenes / 38 dialogue linesLynn Childers is listed as Sam's wife. Sam's wife, former stripper who finds religion. In the parsed data, Lynn Childers is connected to 33 scenes, 43 dialogue lines, 43 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
33 scenes / 43 dialogue linesPaige Childers is listed as Sam's daughter. Sam and Lynn's young daughter. In the parsed data, Paige Childers is connected to 23 scenes, 22 dialogue lines, 22 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
23 scenes / 22 dialogue linesDonnie is listed as Sam's friend. A hulking biker and Sam's long-time friend. In the parsed data, Donnie is connected to 15 scenes, 32 dialogue lines, 35 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
15 scenes / 32 dialogue linesWilliam is listed as Orphan. A young Sudanese boy rescued by Sam. In the parsed data, William is connected to 12 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 108.
12 scenes / 1 dialogue linesDaisy is listed as Sam's mother. Sam's mother. In the parsed data, Daisy is connected to 11 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
11 scenes / 5 dialogue linesBetty is listed as Orphanage manager. A strong Ugandan woman who runs Sam's orphanage. In the parsed data, Betty is connected to 7 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 58.
7 scenes / 3 dialogue linesJohn Garang is listed as SPLA Leader. Founder of the SPLA.
0 scenes / 0 dialogue linesAn African village is attacked by LRA soldiers at night.
Deng, WilliamSam Childers is released from prison.
Sam ChildersSam collects his personal belongings.
Sam ChildersSam reunites with his wife Lynn.
Sam Childers, Lynn ChildersSam and Lynn have a tense sexual encounter in their car.
Sam Childers, Lynn ChildersSam arrives home and reunites with his daughter and mother.
Sam Childers, Lynn Childers, Paige Childers, DaisySam argues with Lynn about her new job and her newfound faith.
Sam Childers, Lynn Childers, Paige Childers, DaisySam meets his friend Donnie at a bar.
Sam Childers, DonnieSam uses methamphetamine in the bar bathroom.
Sam ChildersSam wakes up after a drug binge.
Sam Childers, Paige ChildersSam and Donnie rob a drug house.
Sam Childers, DonnieSam and Donnie pick up a hitchhiker and kill him.
Sam Childers, DonnieSam attempts to wash the blood off himself.
Sam Childers, Lynn ChildersSam gets baptized.
Sam Childers, Lynn Childers, Paige Childers, DaisySam is laid off from his construction job.
Sam ChildersSam is denied a job due to lack of education.
Sam ChildersSam sells his motorcycle.
Sam ChildersSam reads to Paige.
Sam Childers, Paige ChildersSam returns home late, Lynn suspects a relapse, but Sam proves he gave blood for money.
Sam Childers, Lynn ChildersA storm hits the trailer park, Sam forces his family into a trench under the trailer for safety.
Sam Childers, Lynn Childers, Paige ChildersSam negotiates a construction deal with Billy the contractor.
Sam ChildersSam surprises Lynn and Paige with their new house.
Sam Childers, Lynn Childers, Paige ChildersSam and Lynn share a playful moment in their new kitchen.
Sam Childers, Lynn ChildersPastor Relling visits the church to speak about Uganda.
Sam Childers, Lynn Childers, Paige Childers, DaisySam tells his family he wants to go to Africa.
Sam Childers, Lynn Childers, Paige Childers, DaisySam meets Deng and helps him fix his weapon.
Sam Childers, DengSam visits a refugee camp and witnesses the horrors of war.
Sam Childers, DengSam and Deng watch the night commuters.
Sam Childers, DengSam and Deng walk down the hotel stairs.
Sam Childers, DengSam gathers children from the street to bring them inside.
Sam Childers, DengSam settles the children into the hotel room for the night.
Sam Childers, DengDeng wakes Sam to tell him about an LRA attack.
Sam Childers, DengSam and soldiers travel to the village.
Sam Childers, DengSam witnesses the aftermath of an LRA attack.
Sam Childers, Deng, WilliamSam returns home to his family.
Sam Childers, Lynn Childers, Paige Childers, DaisySam plays a game with Paige.
Sam Childers, Paige ChildersSam talks to Lynn.
Sam Childers, Lynn ChildersSam struggles with his memories.
Sam ChildersLynn realizes Sam didn't sleep in bed.
Sam Childers, Lynn ChildersLynn finds Sam in the shed.
Sam Childers, Lynn ChildersSam tells Lynn about his vision to build a church and orphanage.
Sam Childers, Lynn ChildersConstruction of the church.
Sam ChildersSam meets an old friend.
Sam Childers, DonnieSam rescues Donnie.
Sam Childers, DonnieSam confronts a crackhead to get Donnie.
Sam Childers, DonnieDonnie detoxes.
Sam Childers, Lynn Childers, DonnieChurch opening day.
Sam Childers, Lynn Childers, Paige Childers, Daisy, DonnieDonnie and Daisy greet people.
Daisy, DonnieSam prepares for the service.
Sam Childers, Lynn Childers, Paige Childers, DaisyDaisy talks to Sam about his calling.
Sam Childers, DaisySam gives his first sermon.
Sam Childers, Lynn Childers, Paige Childers, DaisySam leaves for Africa again.
Sam Childers, Lynn Childers, Paige Childers, DonnieSam brings supplies to the soldiers.
Sam Childers, DengSam and Deng travel.
Sam Childers, DengSam finds the location for the orphanage.
Sam Childers, DengEstablishing shot of the border town.
Sam negotiates for the orphanage land.
Sam Childers, DengThe orphanage is under construction.
Sam Childers, Deng, BettyBetty and Rose settle the children.
Sam Childers, BettySam and Deng talk about names.
Sam Childers, DengSam and Deng discuss the meaning of their names and their beliefs in God.
Sam Childers, DengSam watches a video of his daughter while LRA rebels attack the orphanage.
Sam ChildersSam and the soldiers defend the orphanage and move the children to the chapel.
Sam Childers, Deng, BettyThe aftermath of the attack; the orphanage is destroyed.
Sam Childers, Deng, BettySam calls Lynn from Nimule; she encourages him to rebuild.
Sam Childers, Lynn ChildersSam and the community rebuild the orphanage.
Sam Childers, Deng, BettyInjured children are brought to the infirmary; Alice dies.
Sam Childers, Deng, BettySam and his team ambush the LRA rebels.
Sam Childers, Deng, WilliamWilliam searches for his brother among the other children.
WilliamSam meets with Bill Wallace to ask for financial support for the orphanage in Africa.
Sam ChildersSam, Lynn, and Paige attend a barbeque at Bill's house.
Sam Childers, Lynn Childers, Paige ChildersSam discovers the check inside the envelope is only for $150.
Sam ChildersSam leaves the party in anger.
Sam Childers, Lynn Childers, Paige ChildersSam retrieves his weapons in a rage.
Sam Childers, Lynn ChildersSam pawns his weapons and car.
Sam ChildersSam walks alone in the rain.
Sam ChildersJohn Garang visits the orphanage.
Sam Childers, DengDonnie tucks Paige into bed.
Paige Childers, DonnieSam reveals a new playground to the children.
Sam ChildersSam talks to William.
Sam Childers, WilliamI remember my parents when I sleep. I see them in my dreams sometimes. My father was big like you. They shot him. We were so scared. Then the rebels gave me a club and told me if I didn't kill my mother they would shoot my brother and me. I refused, but my mother told me to swing hard... that I must make her proud... And so I did. I made her proud. If we allow ourselves to become full of hate then they've won. We must not let them take our hearts. This is the most important thing.
I never told you this but when I was pregnant with you, now this was way back, probably 1960, when yer daddy and I was still in Grand Rapids, a Pastor prophesied over me. Pulled me right up on stage and laid his hands on my belly and told me I was gonna have a Preacher for a son. Yer daddy and I were so proud. I remember we went home and neither of us could sleep all night. Just laid there and talked bout you, bout what was comin.
... and then the strangest thing happened. Them boys ran right on past me. Didn't even see me sittin there. Now the way I figure it, things would have turned out pretty different if I had pulled out that shotgun instead of this here Bible. And that's probably the first time I can remember God savin my butt. God... and my momma.
Hey buddy, it's Donnie. Shoot, I was hopin' you was there... Other day I was thinkin bout when you and me was kids. That summer we'd go down to the quarry over in Montrose, remember that? We hooked up them ropes and spent all day swimmin and jumpin off them walls... I wish you was there to pray with me, buddy.
I've always believed in you. I trusted you, trusted the Lord, and did what I could so you could follow your dream. But I ain't willin to lose you to what you're doin over there. Ain't gonna just stand by and watch you get swallowed up by it.
Then quit feelin sorry for yerself. Them children have had their whole lives burned to the ground and worse. How many of them you see givin up? God gave you purpose, Sam Childers. Now stop yer cryin, get off yer butt and build it again.
This is not funny. In my language, in Arabic, names are very important. They tell you everything about a man. Your name proceeds you wherever you go. You are Sam. This is how you are known. In my language this means something.
And out of the houses the rats came tumblin, black rats, brown rats, brother rats, sister rats, and husband rats followed their little rat wives... Til they came to the ragin water where they drowned and lost their lives.
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