Walther Movie Premiere

Last night was the red carpet premiere of the CFW Walther Film at the Werehenberg Des Peres Movie Theater.  The premiere showing last night sold out, so the theater added a second showing to accommodate everyone who wanted to see the film.

Walther was the first president of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States (known today as the LCMS) as well as the first president of Concordia Seminary.  October 25, 2011, is the 200th anniversary of Dr. Walther's birthday.

Many commemorations of the Walther Bicentennial are underway throughout the LCMS, but perhaps none so ambitious as the Walther Film.  Led by Dale Ward and John Kilinger, Concordia Seminary St. Louis produced the Walther Film.  Great time, patience, and love were put into this film by the entire production team.

The film follows the life of Walther as he and other Lutherans flee religious persecution in Saxon Germany.  In 1838 they traveled to the United States and settle in Perry County, MO and St. Louis, MO.

 

The cast walks the red carpet before the film begins.

 

John Klinger (Executive Producer), Dad, and Dale Ward, (Producer, Director, and Screenwriter) on the red carpet. Dale Ward shared with the audience how the film was not only a labor of love, but seeing it on the big screen (at the same theater he used to walk to as a child) was a dream come true.

 

 

 

 The Seminary seal floated on the screen while John and Dale shared some stories and their thanks with the audience.  Peter Mayer, who arranged and played the lovely music in the film also performed two songs.  When he's not doing music for Walther, he plays with Jimmy Buffett.

 

 Here's Jordan Reinwald (aka CFW Walther) and Dad prior to the movie.

After the film, Dad was grabbed for a quick interview about the film.

 

The cast, producer, director, Peter Mayer, and Erin Bode were available after the show to talk with the audience and sign autographs.  Here's Dale Ward thanking audience members and Erin signing autographs (Erin sang a few of the songs in the film).  

Jordan Reinwald signs a poster for one of the young extras in the film.

If you're in the St. Louis area and want to see the film, you're in luck!  Walther will be shown on Walther's birthday (October 25) at Concordia Seminary.  Showtime is 3:45, and admission is free.

Well done CSL.