The Journey
A feature film adaptation in development
Wandering through the forest in the middle of the night, Jim Hanna has a miraculous encounter with God that transforms his life. But as many often find out, following God does not come without pain and struggle. In this beautiful story of tragedy and redemption, Jim must choose to see a bigger picture to save his family or lose everything.
Jim Hanna’s story was first told in an article by the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship in 1986 and circulated in over 92 countries. In 1999, it was published in the Duluth News Tribune. In 2001, The film Twist of Fate was produced and distributed by Mahoney Media Group in Minneapolis, MN. Finally in 2007, Story Front Pictures produced a re-telling of the story presented in “The Journey”. Since that time over 1 million people have seen the film on broadcast television and DVD through Vision Video. Independent distribution through streaming outlets have also significantly added to the viewership. After nearly 30 years of building awareness culminating most recently with extensive viewership of “The Journey” documentary, Story Front Pictures is producing a feature film adaptation combined with the untold events of Hanna’s life.
Adaptation
1976 Northern Minnesota
Jim Hanna is a wild and lively young man who drives like everything’s a race while frequenting bars, telling fun stories, and getting a good laugh wherever he goes. One night after an argument with his Grandpa, Jim decides to race a train and ends up in a terrible accident. At the exact same time Jim crashes, Grandpa dies of a heart attack. Grandpa always told Jim that he loved him so much that he’d give his life for him, so after hearing the news, Jim believes that his Grandpa died in his place and is suffocated by guilt.
13 Years Later
Jim’s a mechanic for the railroad working long hours in the heat and freezing cold. He now has a beautiful wife Vicky, an 11 year old daughter Jessica, and a 12 year old son Jamie. Jim’s a stern but fair father and also a heavy drinker. One night, secluded in the woods, a series of strange events lead him to what he thought was a deserted cabin. He’s surprised that a man and woman are there waiting for him. Strangely, they can perceive the burden of guilt he carries so Jim tells them the story about his Grandpa’s death and how he blamed himself for it. But Jim’s world changes when the couple offers him a different perspective and he finally forgives himself, exchanging guilt for gratitude.
Jim’s New World
Now as a person of faith and a new perspective, Jim experiences many challenges. His wife Vicky is pleased with the changes but is also worried because Jim’s a guy that goes overboard, doing everything to the extreme. Jim becomes an evangelist and after a series of ministry outings he shows up late to Jessica’s birthday party enraging Vicky. To make up for it, Jim promises to take Jessica shopping. But on the way home, Jim and Jessica are hit by a semi truck resulting in a devastating accident. Vicky, Jamie, and Jim’s brother John rush to the scene to find Jim and Jessica hopelessly injured. While the emergency services arrive, Vicky can only hope that her husband and daughter will survive. Sadly, Jessica dies and Jim is so horribly injured that he can’t even make it to her funeral. Jim also loses his favorite Bible.
The Aftermath
After Jim learns of Jessica’s death, he’s stricken with grief, and tears out his life support attempting to end his own life as well. Finally, Jim is able to visit Jessica’s grave along with his brother John. There he tries to come to terms with what happened but is overcome with grief and anger. But John challenges Jim, wondering if Jim has put God “in a box” failing to see a larger picture which only enrages him. For Jim, things on the homefront are only getting worse. Jamie and Jessica made a pact to be friends right before she died, but now that she’s gone and his parents are constantly fighting, Jamie decides to run away. Vicky’s so depressed and suicidal that she threatens to leave Jim if he doesn’t get Jamie back and fix their lives. This finally pushes Jim to check into a psych ward.
The Way Home
At the psych ward, Jim is challenged by an unlikely fellow patient to stop conforming to the same patterns that everyone else follows, to stop looking at himself and all that is negative, to decide to do things differently and finally put others first. Inspired, Jim returns home confessing his terrible brokenness to Vicky and pleads for reconciliation and help finding their lost son. Jim learns that Jamie is determined to run away on a train and comes up with a brilliant plan to gather his family and friends to intercept him. The plan is surprising, and incredibly heartfelt! Through all of his trials, successes and failures, Jim learns that God balances all things in time and to truly see God at work you must always be humble, open, and especially patient.
For updates on the film please visit journeystory.com (site in progress).