Sept. 14, 2012

New project earns highest accolades from legendary tough guy

A movie debuting Friday, “Last Ounce of Courage,” already is a one-of-a-kind as the only film ever to earn the “Chuck Norris Seal of Approval.”

The veteran martial arts champion, action movie and “Walker, Texas Ranger” star loves it so much it’s the only film he’s promoted, aside from the ones in which he appeared.

Actor Marshall Teague, who plays the lead in the movie, told WND that when he gave his longtime friend Norris a rough cut of the movie to review, he was hoping for some advice.

What he got from Norris was even more than an unqualified endorsement, as the legendary tough guy asked for permission to promote the film.

Read Drew Zahn’s review of “Last Ounce” that addresses Christians and soldiers, and get a sneak peak at reactions to the project.

How much did it impact Norris?

“When we finished the film, I must say Carlos was misty,” Teague told WND.

Wait, that can’t be. Chuck Norris Fact No. 16 says, “Chuck Norris never uses a stunt double, except during crying scenes.”

Or maybe what Teague was seeing was just the result of Fact No. 93, “Chuck Norris uses Tabasco sauce for eye drops.”

The movie, Teague tells WND, is about faith, family and freedoms.

“I’m talking about the freedoms we as a nation enjoy every day, speech, religion, the freedom to gather,” Teague said.

The story revolves around the mayor of a small town, where Bob Revere, played by Teague (“Roadhouse,” “The Rock” and “Armageddon”) is challenged by the apathy that is eroding America’s basic freedoms.

It’s bound to be a success.

“This is the only movie in my life that I’ve ever promoted that I’m not in,” Norris said in an interview about the project. “I just want to encourage … everyone to go see this movie. You will not be disappointed.”

See the interview:

Teague told WND that the U.S. is the greatest country on earth, but people have stopped noticing.

“Wake up people,” he said. “Take a moment of your day and realize what you have, what has been given to you by people, our forefathers. They saw in the future how great this country could be.”

In a commentary for WND, Norris wrote: “I will also let you in on a little secret about the movie: The mega-inspiring speech given by Marshall Teague’s character near the end of the movie from atop a downtown building was unscripted and flowed from his patriot passion in a way that rivals the best patriotic or faith orator.”

He continued: “There is no more perfect time than right now for the release of ‘Last Ounce of Courage,’ being roughly two months away from electing a new president. It can help us take back America. In particular, it can help motivate the 30 million evangelical Christians who stayed home during the 2008 election when Obama won the presidency by 10 million votes.

“This general election could be our last chance to save our republic as our founders created and knew it, and it’s going to take all of our last ounces of courage to do it.”

See the movie’s trailer:

Teague told WND there have been changes in the U.S., people converse via computer rather then speaking face-to-face, events are moving faster, and there are so many more deadlines and pressures.

But, he said, Americans “need to stop … and really take time and go meet your neighbor, and say hello.”

The mutual relationship that can result, he said, is called “respect.”

It’s needed now more than ever, because, as Ronald Reagan said, freedom is never more than one generation away from being lost, Teague said.

“Our country was formed by a people who saw the future,” he said. “It is our responsibility to keep this nation great and stand by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.”

He continued: “When one voice connects to another, and another, and another … what you end up with is a choir of voices that can be heard across the nation.”

Teague said the project also honors the nation’s military, whose sacrifices have continued to protect freedom, as well as the youth, through the character who challenges Teague in the movie.

It’s a Veritas Communications project by the film company dedicated to making films with a purpose.

In a statement released announcing the decision to award “The Chuck Norris Seal of Approval” to the movie, Norris said, “I neither star in, nor do I have an above-the-line credit on, or other affiliation with, ’Last Ounce of Courage. ‘

“Yet allowing the use of my ‘Official Seal of Approval’ is the least I can do to support a project so consistent with my core values and life principles. In addition to the film’s basic reminder that our precious freedoms are not always free, Marshall Teague gives the performance of his career as a small-town mayor who is inspired by his grandson to take a stand when a public religious display honoring his fallen son in Iraq is targeted for removal. No one should miss the message of this motion picture or his moving performance.”

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http://www.wnd.com/2012/09/the-movie-that-made-chuck-norris-tear-up/print/