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'90 Minutes in Heaven' Resurrects on the Big Screen

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ATLANTA -- It's a story that's captured hearts around the world and addresses the question, "What happens after this life is over?"

After being translated into 46 different languages, Don Piper's best-selling book 90 Minutes in Heaven is now being resurrected on the big screen.

The movie will tell the story that began on a Texas highway in 1989.  Pastor Don Piper was traveling from a conference when a truck plowed into his car head on, breaking every bone in his body except his right arm. As paramedics arrived upon the scene, Piper's heart had flatlined and they declared him dead.

As traffic passed, the accident scene caught the attention of passerby Dick Onarecker, who also happened to be a pastor.

"He said he felt led to stop and pray for me, so he did," Piper told CBN News.

Onarecker begged police to let him enter the car to pray for the victim. The police repeatedly dismissed the request since Piper had no pulse.

Watch a preview and commentary from Don Piper below.

After several attempts, Onarecker finally got permission to enter the car. Sitting beside Piper's lifeless body, Onarecker prayed for a miracle.

"Dick was singing that hymn, 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus,'" Piper told CBN News. "After about an hour and a half, I apparently started singing it with him. I was back."

What happened in those 90 minutes is a modern day Lazarus story.

"The moment the truck struck me; I was standing at the gates of heaven," Piper said.

After more than year in the hospital, Piper believed his experience would comfort others so he began writing his story in vivid detail. Based on the book’s success, director Michael Polish took the narrative to a whole new visual level through film. 

"On a personal level, the movie is kind of a logical conclusion. People can see now what we felt. What they read about and it will be portrayed very well by some very fine actors," Piper said.

Actor Hayden Christensen from "Star Wars" plays Piper, and Kate Bosworth from "Remember the Titans," portrays his wife, Eva Piper.

"I love that he refers to her as the real hero of the story because I do believe she held it all together with such grace and patience and dignity. This is certainly a huge aspect to the success of his life and their family. I am incredibly honored to be apart of it," Bosworth said.

The film also includes singer Michael W. Smith, E! News Jason Kennedy, as well as some new faces to the big screen playing the Pipers' children.

While there's often debate about some people's claims of having gone to heaven, one undeniable fact sets Piper's story apart. Paramedics confirmed he had no heartbeat for 90 minutes. Producers made sure to keep the script aligned with the facts.

Piper described the gate of heaven he stood at much like the inside of a pearl filled with dazzling light. The gate stands ornate and large, but the entrance is narrow.

Piper said the entrance is clearly only for the entry of one.

"I saw colors I've never seen before. I head angels, not their voices, but their wings," he said. "Hearing music, thousands of songs but it wasn't chaos. Only one song distinguished itself ... "Holy Holy Holy"... because He is."

The film is set to release Sept. 11, 2015, as a story of hope. It aims to show the power of prayer and make audiences think, "What's important in this life?"

"I came back from heaven with a question, 'Who are you going to greet?'" Piper said. "I think that's why we're all still here… those of us who are followers of Jesus are here to help others get there."

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About The Author

CBN News Reporter Angela Zatopek
Angela
Zatopek

Angela Zatopek is currently a reporter, covering a range of topics geared toward today's younger generation. Angela graduated with Honors from the University of Texas at Austin with a major in Corporate Communications and a minor in Journalism. With a diverse background in television, she has worked with Fox and CBS College Sports as a sideline reporter for the University of Texas. She also appeared in Miss Texas USA and was the winner of Eva Longoria and NBC's Ready for Love. She currently also has a faith-based jewelry line called OneLove Collection. The heartbeat of the jewelry line is to