New film tells story of how alum overcame parents’ murder to move on with life

Speaking of Bears in movies… We’ve got another one, but this time, the movie doesn’t star a Baylor graduate; it’s based on his life.

Heaven’s Rain, released last month, tells the true story of Brooks Douglass, BBA ’85, the son of a Baptist pastor, who at the age of 16 witnessed his parents’ shooting at their home in Oklahoma. Douglass and his sister, Leslie, then 12, were also shot in the incident but survived to testify against their parents’ killers. (People magazine recaps the entire story in this article from 1996; be warned, the details aren’t pleasant.)

Afterward, Brooks fell into a spiral of depression and alcohol abuse, eventually dropping out of Oklahoma Baptist University. With an uncle’s support, he eventually returned to college at the University of Tennessee, then transferred to Baylor. He again fell victim to alcohol, however, and was suspended at one point before talking his way back into school and graduating in 1985. He went on to earn a law degree and become the youngest state senator in Oklahoma history.

After retiring from the state senate in 2002, he earned his Master of Public Administration from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government but then turned his attention to another interest, taking a screenwriting class in Hollywood and beginning work on what would become “Heaven’s Rain.” Once completed, Douglass decided to produce the film himself; the movie stars Mike Vogel (star of CBS’ Miami Medical) as Douglass. (Read The Oklahoman‘s review here.)

It’s a powerful story of overcoming tragedy and finding forgiveness that hits home all the more knowing that it really happened — and to a member of the Baylor family.

Sic ’em, Brooks!

[We learned of this story from a Bear who shared her Baylor pride. Do you know of an inspiring story, news item, or just a fun link that makes you proud of Baylor and the Baylor family? Let us know! Click here to submit your point of pride!]