'90 Minutes in Heaven' Resurrects on the Big Screen

By Angela Zatopek

CBN News Reporter

Tuesday, July 07, 2015

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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. Don Piper was traveling from a conference when a truck plowed into his car head on. Piper broke every bone in his body except his right arm from the impact. His heart flatlined when the paramedics arrived.

As traffic passed, the accident scene caught the attention of passerby Dick Onarecker, who happened to be a pastor. 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 numerous attempts, Onarecker finally got permission to enter the car. There sitting under the body tarp with Piper's lifeless body. Onarecker began to pray for a miracle.

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

It's a modern day Lazarus story. But what happened in those 90 minutes?

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

He remembered his visit to heaven in vivid detail and knew he couldn't stay silent. His book has brought comfort to many searching for faith after losing loved ones.

Now the film version will bring his story to life in a whole new way.

"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 skeptics still debate stories of other people claiming they have gone to Heaven, Piper's story stands apart. His heart was declared flatlined by medics for 90 minutes. With the question of his death off the table, producers were careful to keep the script to the true story.

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 heard angels, not their voices, but their wings," he said. "Hearing music, thousands of songs but it wasn't chaos. Only one song distinginguished 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."