The Cross and the Switchblade

Based on the true story of David Wilkerson, a small-town preacher who travels to a crime-ridden corner of New York City to reach the neighborhood’s troubled youth. Guided by the streetwise Mingo, he quickly learns the lay of the land and discovers how to approach the skeptical teens who populate the streets.

Here he encounters the Mau Maus, a brutal gang led by president Israel and his feared “warlord,” Nicky Cruz, and David brings a message of hope to the angry youths. He is put up in a small street chapel run by Pastor Hector Gomez, where a loving family supports him and offers food and shelter.

Nicky’s ex-girlfriend, Rosa, asks Nicky to give her money for heroin, and he offers to buy her all the junk she wants if she helps get rid of David. She confronts him at the chapel, where Hector’s wife Graciela convinces Rosa to stay, while they stand by as she endures withdrawals. After Rosa sobers up, she tries to tell Nicky that David comes to them out of love, but Nicky grows more and more frustrated.

David attempts a revival to reach all gang members in the area, but the sheriff convinces the NYPD not to monitor the neighborhood, so the gangs believe they have been left alone. Nicky agrees with Big Cat, leader of the rival Bishops, that they should rumble at the revival since no one would expect it. Yet, during David’s sermon, his message that no one can be labeled and Christ’s death on the Cross resonates with Nicky, and he halts the fighting.

The film closes by noting that in the debate over the Cross and the Switchblade, the Cross proves stronger. Nicky Cruz would go on to become an ordained minister, preaching the Gospel thanks to the initial efforts of David Wilkerson. In the end, they start a center called Teen Challenge to support teens.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 11:09