"Billy: The Early Years" Opens Nationwide Today

NASHVILLE - The true story of one of the world's most respected men -- and what he accomplished to get there. Directed by Robby Benson.  Cast includes: Armie Hammer, Martin Landau and Lindsay Wagner.

SYNOPSIS: Billy Graham is one of the most influential figures of all time. He has spoken to over 2 billion people in person and through TV and radio in the past 90 years. He counseled nine United States Presidents. His messages have changed the face of modern religion. In BILLY, the unforgettable newcomer Armie Hammer portrays Billy Graham as a young man making a choice between science and religion, family and friendships, and his desire to pursue a career in evangelism, breaking away from his family's dairy-farming roots in rural North Carolina. BILLY is narrated by Graham's lifelong friend and childhood rival Charles Templeton (Academy Award(R) Winner Martin Landau), a man who chose a path of science in his quest to educate the masses. Set against the 1940's Depression Era, BILLY paints an old-fashioned, charismatic portrait of a man who took the world by storm as an adult, but who never revealed much about his upbringing…until now.
 
ABOUT THE FILM: Filmed in and around Nashville, Tennessee in the spring of 2008, BILLY came together after the key role of Billy Graham was cast on the strength of 21 year-old Armie Hammer's audition. Following a national talent search in Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, producers decided on Hammer (great-grandson of noted philanthropist Armand Hammer of the Arm & Hammer label/Occidental Petroleum) when he walked into the room and delivered an audition that almost channeled the young Graham in real life. To prepare for such an iconic role, Hammer watched hours and hours of tape on Graham and read countless sermons throughout his incredible career. Director Robby Benson, known for his early teen idol film roles and his iconic voice of "Beast" in "BEAUTY AND THE BEAST" and for his long career in episodic television direction, filmed BILLY very close to the real home of Graham. John Carter Cash (son of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash and a contributor to "WALK THE LINE") provides the film with an authentic collection of popular period music and other sounds of the era. BILLY is written by William Paul McKay and Jana Lyn Rutledge. The film is produced by Larry Mortorff ("PINOCCHIO"; "ANDRE"; "THE OMEGA CODE"), William Paul McKay ("AGAINST ALL ODDS: IN SEARCH OF A MIRACLE") and video and commercials producer and director Martin Shiel of UKbased Solex Productions.