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CROWN AWARD - BEST YOUTH FILM OF THE YEAR 2002

From the producers of The Moment After and Mercy Streets comes a motion picture that takes youth evangelism to new heights. 

Starring Sean McEwen, Nathan Bell, Jacob Head

Synopsis

A film that is sweeping the country and impacting lives in its path. "The Fast and the Furious" has proven that street racing is a national phenomenon. Here is an evangelistic answer for those interested in fast cars, and the fast life. A drama that unfolds a story of the reality that there is more to life than what most people value.

LAY IT DOWN is an explosive drama set against the teenage world of illegal street racing. Ride with Ben Destin (Sean Mc Ewen) as he finds the way of the narrow road to eternal life through Jesus Christ. Once he finds this route, he encourages all of his friends to discover the same freedom.

LAY IT DOWN is a powerful, ground-breaking evangelistic film. Its compelling delivery and heart-pounding action make it a must see for teens and young adults. 

Review 

Ben Destin (Sean McEwen) leads off the story, as the fastest cat on wheels in town, whose near-death experience on the road forces him out of his imagined sense of immortality. After confessing his fears of death to Pastor Gus (Michael Gier)--who visits Ben's home with romantic interests for his widowed mother--Ben breaks down into tears and cries out to God for the forgiveness and eternal life offered in Jesus Christ.

While Ben's "conversion" occurs in the first five minutes--an unexpected choice for evangelistic films that often place this "climax" at the finale--the true story unfolds to present the difficult choices and challenges Ben faces as a new follower of Christ.

With unwavering faith, Ben willingly trades his popularity, his passion for fast racing, and his promiscuous relationship with his girlfriend Anita (Lisa Cash). His struggles, uncertainties, and joys will surely resonate with the targeted youth/teen crowd, who share the same search for something to believe in, something to live for, something to die for...

The reality of such choices, and their consequences, drives this captivating film. Cut in quick, MTV style, an intense stream of high-impact music raises the sustained suspense. Bright yellow and red stripes riding the metal ridges of the racing cars shine in the haze of headlights blazing through smoke. The deafening motors advance as a hundred thunderstorms booming overhead. The artistic quality of Lay It Down also proves quite superb, with an incredible break-through performance by Laird Pulver in Production Design.

With artistic foreshadowing, Lay It Down successfully executes a surprise ending--revealing a reality that is presented, but not fully comprehended, at the beginning. Furthermore, the film generously handles multiple themes: brotherhood, family struggles, popularity, suspicion of faith, romantic relationship, unfaithfulness, teen sex and consequences, illegal activity and consequences, but most of all--forgiveness. We discover this gift in Christ, and not the fast road, as the place where true life can be found.

"A truly exciting evangelistic film. If only I were still in high school so I could beg my youth pastor to show this film as an outreach." - Ken James, Christian Spotlight on the Movies

"Very seldom do we commend a movie as must-see. This is a movie that must be seen by young adults and teenagers." - Dr. Ted Baehr, Movieguide

"Powerful message!" - Pastor John Hagee

Special Edition DVD includes:

• Behind the Scenes Footage
• Scene selections
• Trailers
• Still Photos
• Anamorphic widescreen
• Encoded for all regions
• 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound
• Director's Commentary
• Closed Captioned
• English Subtitles
• Group Study Guide

Special bonus feature: The award winning short film, The Light of Darkness, directed by Michael Cargile