The Case for Christ (2017) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

An atheist journalist's investigation into the resurrection unfolds alongside family conflict and personal loss, eventually leading him to faith and reconciliation.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Rescue Changes Leslie

At a celebratory family dinner, Alison chokes on candy and Alfie saves her. Alfie credits the rescue to God, and Leslie responds by attending church with her.

Key Events

• Lee's Investigative Life — Lee is an atheist journalist and investigative reporter for the Chicago Tribune. Characters: Lee Strobel, Leslie Strobel Location: Chicago
• Family Dinner Celebration — Lee and his family celebrate his professional recognition at dinner. Characters: Lee Strobel, Leslie Strobel, Alison Strobel Location: Restaurant
• Alison Chokes — Alison chokes on candy during the family dinner. Characters: Lee Strobel, Leslie Strobel, Alison Strobel, Alfie Davis Location: Restaurant
• Alfie Saves Alison — Nurse Alfie intervenes and saves Alison. Characters: Alfie Davis, Alison Strobel, Leslie Strobel, Lee Strobel Location: Restaurant
• Faith Enters the Family — Alfie credits Alison's rescue to God's will, and Leslie takes her words to heart. Characters: Alfie Davis, Leslie Strobel Location: Restaurant
• Leslie Attends Church — Leslie and Alfie become friends and begin attending church together. Characters: Leslie Strobel, Alfie Davis Location: Christian church

Marriage and Evidence in Tension

Leslie's church attendance unsettles Lee, who begins investigating the resurrection in an effort to disprove it. His inquiries into the witnesses and the Cross fail to support his intended conclusions.

Key Events

• Leslie Attends Church — Leslie and Alfie become friends and begin attending church together. Characters: Leslie Strobel, Alfie Davis Location: Christian church
• Lee Objects to Church — Lee tries unsuccessfully to dissuade Leslie from attending church. Characters: Lee Strobel, Leslie Strobel Location: Strobel home
• Lee Begins His Inquiry — Following his mentor's advice, Lee sets out to find evidence against the resurrection. Characters: Lee Strobel Location: Chicago Tribune office
• Kyle Is Born — Leslie gives birth to the couple's son, Kyle. Characters: Lee Strobel, Leslie Strobel Location: Hospital
• Witnesses Under Scrutiny — Lee tests whether the witnesses were hypnotized, but a psychologist disproves his theory. Characters: Lee Strobel Location: Investigation setting
• Cross Examination — Lee explores whether Jesus survived the Cross, but a physician says Jesus had to have died there. Characters: Lee Strobel Location: Investigation setting

A Father's Unfinished Appeal

Walter tries to reconcile with Lee, but Lee brushes him off, and Walter dies soon afterward. Learning that his father truly loved him surprises Lee and adds an emotional dimension to his investigation.

Key Events

• Walter Seeks Reconciliation — Walter attempts to reconcile with Lee, but Lee brushes him off. Characters: Walter Strobel, Lee Strobel Location: Unspecified
• Walter's Death — Walter dies after Lee dismisses his attempt to reconcile. Characters: Walter Strobel, Lee Strobel Location: Unspecified
• Lee Learns of Walter's Love — Lee learns that Walter truly loved him, a discovery that surprises him. Characters: Lee Strobel, Walter Strobel Location: Unspecified

Truth in a Second Case

While pursuing his religious investigation, Lee examines a police shooting case. He proves that the officer shot himself with a concealed gun disguised as a pen, and the convicted man is freed.

Key Events

• Police Shooting Investigation — Lee investigates a police officer shooting for a separate newspaper case. Characters: Lee Strobel Location: Chicago
• Conviction Reconsidered — Lee establishes that the officer shot himself with a secret gun disguised as a pen. Characters: Lee Strobel Location: Investigation setting
• Convict Is Freed — Lee's findings lead to the convicted man's release. Characters: Lee Strobel Location: Unspecified

Evidence Gives Way to Faith

Lee's mentor says that the final step in deciding whether to believe is faith. After a colleague's speech, Lee chooses to believe, tells Leslie, and reunites with her in prayer.

Key Events

• Faith Beyond Evidence — Lee's mentor explains that the final step beyond evidence is faith. Characters: Lee Strobel Location: Unspecified
• Lee Takes the Leap — After a colleague gives him a speech, Lee decides to believe. Characters: Lee Strobel Location: Unspecified
• Marriage Reconciled — Lee tells Leslie of his decision; they reconcile happily and pray together. Characters: Lee Strobel, Leslie Strobel Location: Strobel home

Story Breakdown

• Journalist and Family — Lee's work and family life establish the setting for the changes that follow.
  • Professional Recognition — Lee and his family go to dinner to celebrate his recognition.
  • Growing Family — Lee and Leslie are parents to Alison and later welcome their son Kyle.
• Alison's Rescue — A family emergency brings Alfie into the Strobels' lives and prompts Leslie's spiritual response.
  • Candy Choking — Alison chokes on candy during the family dinner.
  • Alfie Intervenes — Alfie saves Alison and credits the event to God's will.
• Leslie Finds Faith — Leslie's friendship with Alfie and church attendance create tension in her marriage.
  • Church Friendship — Leslie and Alfie become friends and attend a Christian church together.
  • Lee's Objection — Lee unsuccessfully tries to dissuade Leslie from attending church.
• Resurrection Investigation — Lee searches for evidence against the resurrection but encounters challenges to his proposed explanations.
  • Witness Testimony — A psychologist disproves Lee's theory that the witnesses were hypnotized.
  • Death on the Cross — A physician tells Lee that Jesus had to have died on the Cross.
• Walter's Reconciliation — Lee's strained relationship with Walter becomes a source of grief and reflection.
  • Dismissed Appeal — Walter tries to reconcile, but Lee brushes him off.
  • Love Discovered — After Walter dies, Lee learns that his father truly loved him.
• Police Case Breakthrough — Lee's separate reporting investigation reveals that the convicted man did not shoot the officer.
  • Concealed Pen Gun — Lee proves the officer shot himself with a secret gun disguised as a pen.
  • Convict Freed — The convicted man is freed after Lee establishes what happened.
• Choice to Believe — Lee's mentor distinguishes evidence from the final step of faith, and Lee makes his decision.
  • Mentor's Advice — Lee's mentor explains that the final step in belief is faith.
  • Colleague's Speech — After a colleague gives him a speech, Lee decides to believe.
• Marital Reconciliation — Lee shares his decision with Leslie, and the couple finds renewed unity.
  • Lee Tells Leslie — Lee tells his wife that he has chosen to believe.
  • Prayer Together — They reconcile happily and pray together.

Directed by

Jon Gunn

Key Cast

• Mike Vogel — Lee Strobel
• Erika Christensen — Leslie Strobel
• Faye Dunaway — Dr. Roberta Waters
• Robert Forster — Walter Strobel
• Frankie Faison — Joe Dubois