“The Last Sin Eater,” the highly anticipated period drama directed by Michael Landon Jr., is set for theatrical release on Feb. 9.
Released through Fox Faith, Twentieth Century Fox’s faith-themed branch, the film (rated PG-13 for thematic elements and some violence) is based on the Francine Rivers novel and concerns a guilt-ridden adolescent girl who seeks forgiveness by way of an ancient Welsh ritual involving a man known as “the Sin Eater.”
An outcast, the Sin Eater comes to funerals and completes a ceremony by taking on the sins of the newly departed, supposedly allowing them to rest in peace. So burdened is the young girl that she sets out to find the Sin Eater. Hounded by the child, he relents and performs the ritual over her. But she feels nothing. The guilt remains. Ah, but a wandering minister introduces the youngster to the true Sin Eater.
This comes from the offspring of the man who gave us “Little House on the Prairie” and “Highway to Heaven.” Michael Landon Jr. offers a fresh story concept and delivers it with skill and competence. What’s more, it is a movie, made by movie people, wherein Jesus is proclaimed as the Son of God and our Redeemer. So, is Michael Landon Jr. a believer? You bet. I recently interviewed him over the phone.
BAPTIST PRESS: “Do you feel comfortable speaking of your religious faith?”
Landon Jr.: “Are you kidding? Any chance I get, I love talking about it. When I was 15, my parents separated. Up until that point, I never attended church, except for when my grandparents would bring me every once in a blue moon. But I didn’t think I needed God because all needs were being supplied. My father was a very loving, affectionate man. He wasn’t a Hollywood dad. He came home after work. He listened to us. He played with us. He really covered all our needs. So when the divorce took place, since I had built him up as well, everything came tumbling down.
“My life went into a downhill spiral. In the meantime, my mother, who was very broken by the divorce, was going to a manicurist who happened to be a Christian. Her name is Lois. And my mom at this point was looking for answers and meaning. So she started asking Lois about her faith. Lois would answer my mom’s questions and on top of that give her advice. My mother would apply the advice and at that point wanted to understand the wisdom that Lois conveyed.
“So one day, Lois took my mom to church, and my mom gave her life to Christ. And, of course, my mom wanted to share the Good News. She tried to share it with me, but I had absolutely no interest, as is true with so many teens who are not raised in church. I thought it was a bunch of hogwash. But to appease her and get her off my back, I went to church with her one day. And though I couldn’t tell you what the pastor said that day, it did speak to my heart. During the next seven or eight months, I would go to church, then I’d resist going. Then go. Then not go. Then go. Finally, I surrendered.”
BP: “How long ago?”
Landon Jr.: “Twenty-two years ago.”
BP: “A Christian in Hollywood always raises questions among the faithful living between the coasts.”
Landon Jr.: “Understandable. But not true. There are some great, faithful Christians who live on the coasts and work in the industry. But as for me, I don’t live in Hollywood or its vicinity. My wife and I moved to Utah.”
BP: “Why Utah? Isn’t that kind of an unusual area for a filmmaker to move to?”
Landon Jr.: “In a way it is. However, I filmed my last two movies here, which allowed me to go home to my wife and children every night. Utah is a great place to film with its great crew base, close proximity to Los Angeles, various looks from deserts to mountains to city, and all within a 50-mile radius. Besides, there’s a very nice Christian base here. My father-in-law is an assistant pastor in Park City, where we attend.”
BP: “Both this and another recent film of yours, ‘Love’s Abiding Joy,’ share spiritual messages. Is that something you like incorporating in your movies?”
Landon Jr.: “It is. It isn’t the only type of storytelling I’d like to do, but it is definitely something that is of great importance to me. The spiritual side of human beings is neglected, for the most part, by Hollywood. And while I don’t want to shove it into anyone’s face, we’re not only physical, we’re spiritual as well. And of the two, the spiritual has greater value.”
(“The Last Sin Eater” is rated PG-13 for thematic elements and some intense sequences of violence. The movie has no objectionable language and no sexuality. For more information, visit www.foxfaithmovies.com/thelastsineater. Phil Boatwright is the editor and film reviewer for previewonline.org.)