Phil Robertson Goes Behind The Scenes of THE BLIND
Thanks Phil #ThanksPhil
Published: December 11, 2023Photo from Phil Robertson’s Instagram Phil Robertson Goes Behind The Scenes of THE BLIND By Movieguide® Contributor
Phil Robertson is sharing some behind-the-scenes details from his recent biopic, THE BLIND.
The movie details Robertson and his wife’s relationship, his struggles and how God ultimately redeemed his life.
Part of Movieguide®’s review reads:
THE BLIND refers to a duck blind where his friend, Al, and Phil Robertson are hunting in 1985. Phil tells Al his Christian testimony. The movie cuts to 1958 when Phil is a little boy. Phil’s father worked in the oil fields, away from home for long periods. As a youngster, Phil goes hunting and fishing to bring food home for his family. Phil’s mother has psychotic experiences where she just gets angry at everything and is hauled off by police several times. Phil’s only blessing is Kay. They know in high school they’re destined for each other. Phil gives up a football scholarship to marry Kay. His excessive drinking leads to a downward spiral. Kay gives Phil an ultimatum, but can he change?
One scene highlights Robertson’s first date with his future wife, Miss Kay. The producers revealed that this scene was shot on location at a local restaurant called Fertitta’s.
“I love that because that place has been there for years and [is] still operating, and it looks exactly like it looked,” said producer Zach Dasher.
He added that the restaurant’s neon sign hadn’t worked in 20 years, but THE BLIND’s production designer fixed it.
“What was really incredible is we had [the woman who owns the restaurant and her son come out]…when we were shooting that scene that night, and I parked him in front of the monitor and let them listen and everything,” explained producer Cole Prine. “When Kay orders a Muffy, she just started crying, and it was just the sweetest moment, and she was like, ‘You know, my husband started this so many years ago, and just like it’s going to be preserved forever now.’”
The movie also features Robertson’s baptism. Korie Robertson described shooting that scene as “kind of the best day but also kind of the worst day.”
The actor who played Robertson was hesitant to get into the water at first. Dasher added that a layer of mud under the water made the scene even more difficult.
“They get in the water for the baptism, and it’s this beautiful scene, and they weren’t deep enough in the water,” Dasher explained. “So the pastor was baptizing someone who’s a lot bigger than him…and he can’t get him back up…Then they start stumbling and falling and they’re literally trying to get up, they keep falling back down because they’re sinking in the mud.”
Because of this, they struggled to get a “clean down and up” baptism shot. So Dasher stepped in when they decided to reshoot the scene.
“We got the clean down and up that we needed, you know, and then just the end where they kind of stumble and fall, they played it up so well,” added Prine.
“Ending it really felt joyful and just real in the moment,” Kori said.
Since its release in late September, THE BLIND has made a huge impact on audiences. It became Fathom Event’s highest-grossing release ever, and many moviegoers gave their lives to Christ and were baptized after seeing it.
“Turns out THE BLIND is reaching a mighty throng of individuals, and Hollywood is taking notice that this is a message you want to hear: You’re never too far gone. God can reach you wherever you are and no matter how dark things have gotten. And however hopeless you feel, there is always hope in Jesus,” Robertson wrote on Instagram.
Movieguide® recently reported on THE BLIND:
“When that movie came out, THE BLIND, which I was for 28 years, I said if we convert one, I will be happy,” Robertson posted on Thanksgiving. “That’s better than nothing. As it turned out, thousands, so to me, that is a year. When at least, I don’t know how many, but a lot of them have turned their life over to Jesus. I’m happy for them and for [a] Thanksgiving meal.”
“I started the year praying we’d bring just one person to Jesus with THE BLIND. Well, our little movie helped thousands run up on Jesus, and that’s what I’m most thankful for this year. That and getting to cook duck and dressing for my family,” Robertson captioned the video.
“It’s not always easy around the holiday table. I know I didn’t make it easy for Miss Kay before I turned my life around,” he continued. “If there’s someone at your Thanksgiving table who won’t go to church but might just watch a movie, grab THE BLIND DVD from your Walmart or download it from Amazon or Apple or wherever you find these things. By the end of this weekend, we could have thousands more getting to see it’s not too late to get back on track.”
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