What Effect Did the Movie Unplanned Have on Abortion Services?

Abortion distortion exposed! The unborn feels no pain and other Planned Parenthood lies unmasked. The March 29 release of the Pure Flix film Unplanned rocketed the women’s reproductive health controversy to the top of national headlines. Two months later, the question is: What effect did the movie Unplanned have on abortion services?

 

Maximum Effect

First, let’s take a look at the bigger picture. If major change is one’s target, timing is essential.

Unplanned had maximum effect potential from the first showing. Recent pro-life releases and legislators pushing the pro-life bills set the stage for the Pure Flix release.

For years, the producers of Unplanned sought the Lord’s approval to turn the script into a film. Like horses rearing and stomping at the starting gate, the Pure Flix team waited. Their prayerful pleadings received a “Not yet.”

Finally, the gate flung open wide in 2018. All systems “go!”

Casting and production proved challenging. Many warned actors considering parts to re-think the career-ending move.

No wonder the casting folks searched for talented and committed Christians. The role was a mission even more than a paycheck. The goal—save lives. Not just the lives of the unborn but also their mothers and the abortion workers.

The October release of Gosnell as well as several legislative measures argued in early 2019, perfectly set the stage for the March release of Unplanned.

Gosnell.

The story of abortionist Kermit Gosnell, hit the few, specially selected box offices October 2018. Theater-owners shocked at the stunned reaction of the audiences quickly cancelled second viewings. Even the pro-choice audience had no stomach for the abortion industry’s graphic back room truth. (Though not shown in theaters, Gosnell is available on Amazon).

Reproductive Health Act.

On the forty-sixth anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe vs Wade ruling, New York lawmakers radically changed their abortion laws. Prior to January 22, 2019, New York allowed third trimester abortions done by medical doctors only if continuing the pregnancy to delivery endangered the life of the mother. The Reproductive Health Act passed the State Senate (38-24), State Assembly (92-47), and was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo all on the same day. Now, the pregnancy can end at any point—even up to the time of delivery—and does not require the procedure be done by a medical professional.

Third Trimester Abortion Bill.

Days after pink lights celebrated New York’s new abortion law, Pediatric Neurosurgeon and Governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam, described what late-term abortion means. If the Third Trimester Abortion Bill is approved, babies surviving a botched abortion can be killed anyway, if the mother so chooses.

Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.

Days later, on February 4, the US Senate called for a unanimous consent vote to protect the life of a baby surviving a botched abortion. The act failed by only one vote. Washington’s Senator Patty Murray believed the protection measure unnecessary as laws prohibiting infanticide already exist.

 

In the weeks that followed, the abortion controversy raged, fueled by President Trump’s announcement to stop funding all international health centers involved in any way with the abortion industry.

Perfect time to introduce the brand-new pro-life film, Unplanned. Viewers finally get the inside story on Planned Parenthood. Abby Johnson’s true story exposed the details of what happens to the expectant mother and unborn child under the guise of women’s health.

The Pure Flix marketing staff geared up to advertise on media outlets nation-wide. This story had to be heard.

 

Marketing Mayhem

Fellow filmmakers warned Pure Flix they’d never recover the $6 million invested in such a controversial movie. Pure Flix executives didn’t expect investors for Unplanned to be knocking at their doors, but the advertising boycott came as a big surprise.

With one notable exception, all mainstream and cable media outlets refused Pure Flix advertising dollars. Fox aired the Unplanned trailers. Interviews by several of the Fox celebrities added to the exposure of the actors and film.

The MPAA’s R-rating threatened to derail acceptance by conservative movie-goers. Did Unplanned contain sexual content, nudity, offensive language, or violence? The only mark against the Pure Flix film? Violence.

Unplanned simply needed to remove the two brief abortions scenes to achieve the coveted PG-13. The producers considered the scenes key to their message. They trusted the Lord to provide the essential marketing platforms.

Some Christian radio stations did run the promotional trailers. The social media and word-of-mouth provided the primary advertising tools.

Once viewed, Christian leaders around the nation urged their people to disregard the MPAA’s R-rating. Interviews and blog posts by many Catholic priests, Focus on the Family movie reviewers (Plugged-In), and evangelical speakers from a host of denominations endorsed the film. The leaders called on their flock to see Unplanned and take a young person with them.

Rev. Franklin Graham went a step further. He did a live Facebook interview with the female lead of Unplanned, Ashley Bratcher. Talk about a tear-jerker! Graham’s closing remarks pleaded with viewers—pastors and congregants– to see Unplanned, taking young people along. In addition, Graham urged all pastors to purchase the Unplanned DVD as soon as available to show in their churches.

The word blazed through cyber space. Theaters sold-out. Within weeks, Pure Flix box office grossed $22 million.

Unplanned ignited the pro-life folks and overturned pro-choice beliefs held by viewers of all ages.

 

Reaching the Real Goal

Remember the original question: What effect did the movie Unplanned have on abortion services?

Three measurable results exist, but Unplanned likely contributed to a fourth.

• Fewer abortion workers. In the first six years of Abby Johnson’s effort to draw Planned Parenthood employees away from the abortion industry, more than 500 employees received assistance from Johnson’s nonprofit organization, And Then There Were None. That number increased by 94 the first weekend Unplanned hit the box offices. The overwhelming response from abortion workers continues. One or two Planned Parenthood employees a day contact Johnson’s nonprofit for help leaving the powerful company.

• Fewer abortions. Planned Parenthood’s own stats revealed the normal 25% no-show average plummeted to 75% no-shows on the days Forty Days to Life had people praying across from their facilities. After Unplanned opened, two Planned Parenthood facilities reported 50% and 25% fewer clients signing up for an abortion. What will be the total when the hundreds of Planned Parenthood facilities complete the count of babies saved?

• Pro-choice to pro-life. During the first weekend in April, 166 candlelight vigils were held outside Planned Parenthood locations across America, inspired by Unplanned. Participants numbered more than 10,000, many of whom were reportedly new to pro-life.

• Flood of pro-life legislation. Coincidence? Perhaps, but it’s notable. Within a few short weeks of the release of Unplanned, over a dozen States in America pressed for more restrictive abortion laws. While the nation’s federal lawmakers continue arguing over the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, State lawmakers passed and governors signed into law more restrictive abortion laws. From Alabama’s “under no circumstances but to save the life of the mother” to the majority’s “not after a heartbeat’s detected” (about six weeks) abortion laws are changing all over America.

 

Why? What Made the Difference?

Remember that old adage, A picture’s worth a thousand words? The Pure Flix producers gave the public the pictures only a few employees at Planned Parenthood had ever seen. The struggle for life is no longer behind closed doors.

The viewer sees the young woman’s struggle with the massive blood loss caused by the “safe and easy” abortion pill. Alone in her bathroom. Afraid. A faceless voice over the phone assures her everything’s normal.

Perhaps the most graphic lie unmasked is the infant’s own struggle for life. The ultrasound images of the unborn totally debunk Planned Parenthood’s routine script. Who can ever again declare there’s no baby; it’s just a mass of cells that can’t feel pain?

Abby Johnson’s life changed forever when she saw the infant flailing, trying to get away from the abortion instrument.

Unplanned gave viewers the stark truth of what happens to our young women and their unborn babies at Planned Parenthood. No more deception.

On the other hand, if an expectant mother wants to end the pregnancy, Unplanned provides all she really needs to know. After viewing the film, the teenage girl or middle-aged woman has the information needed to actually sign the Informed Consent. There’s no guesswork or misunderstanding of what’s ahead.

 

Now What?

Unplanned shocked audiences with Abby Johnson’s unforgettable story. The horrific truth graphically spotlighted both the practices and the philosophy of Planned Parenthood. The multi-billion-dollar nonprofit is the country’s number one abortion provider. The only prenatal service offered to expectant mothers is abortion.

Planned Parenthood aborts close-to a million babies each year. The expectant mother is charged $8000 if the unborn is under 25 weeks, plus $1000 for each additional gestational week. An ultrasound gives the exact gestational age in order to provide the correct pre-payment due.

American tax dollars contribute $60 million each year. If every aborted baby fell into the baseline charge, the taxpayer dollars augment Planned Parenthood’s $8 Billion cash intake.

Is it really necessary for American taxpayers to financially support Planned Parenthood? Let your elected officials know your thoughts.

If you’ve not yet seen Unplanned, check it out. Still skeptical? Check out the trailer and listen to some of the interviews available online. YouTube is loaded with great content related to the Pure Flix movie, Unplanned.

You might also be interested in checking out the February blog post, What’s making liberal millennials switch from pro-choice to pro-life. You’ll find out what the millennials are discovering.

The former abortion doctor featured in the February post is the same man who played himself in Unplanned.

 

Not that interested in movies? Read Abby Johnson’s memoir, Unplanned. The film rose from those pages.

Never expect to need information regarding Planned Parenthood’s abortion services? Great! On the other hand, Unplanned offers the opportunity to know the truth…just in case a loved one ever asks, right?