Rev. Eric Eichinger, Patricia Russell and Heather Ingham (provided)
NASHVILLE (WordNews.org) Aug. 13, 2012 – Fresh from attending the Olympic Games in London, the Rev. Eric Eichinger said it is time to tell the rest of the story of Olympian Eric Liddell, the 400 meter champion.
“I wanted to see if the timing was right to tell the second half of Eric’s story,” says Eichinger. “We spoke with his family and friends, and all agree this is a story that needs to be told.”
Liddell was the subject of the Academy Award-winning movie, “Chariots of Fire” in which he honored his Christian faith by refusing to run on Sunday. He won Olympic gold in 1924 then served as a missionary in China at tremendous personal sacrifice during World War II.
Eichinger won a track scholarship at Michigan State University and served as a teacher in China before attending Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. Now, years later, he pastors a Lutheran church near Orlando, Florida, and the story of Liddell has stayed with him.
“While in China, I visited the hospital where Eric Liddell died serving the people he loved. It had a profound effect on me,” Eichinger said. “I began researching his life and ultimately, wrote a screenplay entitled Absolute Surrender that reflects his journey after the Olympics.”
Eichinger traveled to Great Britain and Canada this summer to interview Liddell’s daughters and nieces as a part of a video series launched on Absolute Surrender’s website this week. Along with conversations with family members, Eichinger provides rare footage of little known locations and facts as he follows in Liddell’s footsteps.
Eichinger said his goal is to bring awareness Liddell’s legacy.
“Rev. Eichinger has done all the research and has written an incredible, true story,” says filmmaker Howie Klausner. “This movie has the potential to influence current generations and change lives.”
Klausner’s screen credits include “Space Cowboys,” “Soul Surfer” and “The Grace Card.” He and his company, Klausner Creative, are partnering with Eichinger on the film’s development. Klausner Creative is a Nashville-based film consulting and production company.
The group plans to begin production next year.
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