I haven't seen the movie, but do plan on it when in my area. The following story was recieved in an email, along time back, so it's taken awhile to find. I have not researched the validity of it, but find it very inspirational at minimum. Perhaps, this was part of Mel's inspiration to produce the movie, in spite of the nay sayers.This story was just cut and pasted in the manner it was recieved.



> Here is a true story by Paul Harvey. Pass it to anyone who you think
> > > would
> > > > >find it interesting and inspiring. You will be surprised who this
> young
> > > man
> > > > >turned out to be. (Do not look at the bottom if this letter until
you
> > > have
> > > > >read it fully.)
> > > > >
> > > > >Years ago a hardworking man took his family from New York State to
> > > >Australia
> > > > >to take advantage of a work opportunity there. Part of this man's
> > family
> > > >was
> > > > >a handsome young son who had aspirations of joining the circus as a
> > > trapeze
> > > > >artist or an actor. This young fellow, biding his time until a
circus
> > job
> > > >or
> > > > >even one as a stagehand came along, worked at the local shipyards
> which
> > > > >bordered on the worse section of town.
> > > > >
> > > > >Walking home from work one evening this young man was attacked by
> five
> > > >thugs
> > > > >who wanted to rob him. Instead of just giving up his money the
young
> > > fellow
> > > > >resisted. However they bested him easily and proceeded to beat him
to
> a
> > > > >pulp. They mashed his face with their boots, and kicked and beat
his
> > body
> > > > >brutally with clubs, leaving him for dead.
> > > > >
> > > > >When the police happened to find him lying in the road they assumed
> he
> > > was
> > > > >dead and called for the Morgue Wagon. On the way to the morgue a
> > > policeman
> > > > >heard him gasp for air, and they immediately took him to the
> emergency
> > > unit
> > > > >at the hospital. When he was placed on a gurney a nurse remarked to
> her
> > > > >horror, that his young man no longer had a face. Each eye socket
was
> > > > >smashed, his skull, legs, and arms fractured, his nose literally
> > hanging
> > > > >from his face, all is teeth were gone, and his jaw was almost
> > completely
> > > > >torn from his skull.
> > > > >
> > > > >Although his life was spared he spent over a year in the hospital.
> When
> > > he
> > > > >finally left his body may have healed, but his face was disgusting
to
> > > look
> > > > >at. He was no longer the handsome youth that everyone admired. When
> the
> > > > >young man started to look for work again he was turned down by
> everyone
> > > >just
> > > > >on account of the way he looked. One potential employer suggested
to
> > him
> > > > >that he join the freak show at the circus as" The Man Who Had No
> Face".
> > > And
> > > > >he did this for a while. He was still rejected by everyone and no
one
> > > >wanted
> > > > >to be seen in his company. He had thoughts of suicide. This went on
> for
> > > >five
> > > > >years.
> > > > >
> > > > >One day he passed a church and sought some solace there. Entering
the
> > > >church
> > > > >he encountered a priest who had seen him sobbing while kneeling in
a
> > pew.
> > > > >The priest took pity on him and took him to the rectory where they
> > talked
> > > >at
> > > > >length. The priest was impressed with him to such a degree that he
> said
> > > >that
> > > > >he would do everything possible for him that could be done to
restore
> > his
> > > > >dignity and life, if the young man would promise to be the best
> > Christian
> > > >he
> > > > >could be, and trust in God's mercy to free him from his torturous
> life.
> > > > >
> > > > >The young man went to Mass and communion every day, and after
> thanking
> > > God
> > > > >for saving his life, asked God to only give him peace of mind and
the
> > > grace
> > > > >to be the best man he could ever be in His eyes.
> > > > >
> > > > >The priest, through his personal contacts was able to secure the
> > services
> > > >of
> > > > >the best plastic surgeon in Australia. There would be no cost to
the
> > > young
> > > > >man, as the doctor was the priest's best friend. The doctor too was
> so
> > > > >impressed by the young man, whose outlook now on life, even though
he
> > had
> > > > >experienced the worse was filled with good humor and love.
> > > > >
> > > > >The surgery was a miraculous success. All the best dental work was
> also
> > > >done
> > > > >for him. The young man became everything he promised God he would
be.
> > He
> > > >was
> > > > >also blessed with a wonderful, beautiful wife, and many children,
and
> > > > >success in an industry which would have been the furthest thing
from
> > his
> > > > >mind as a career if not for the goodness of God and the love of the
> > > people
> > > > >who cared for him. This he acknowledges publicly.
> > > > >
> > > > >The young man was and is Mel Gibson.
> > > > >
> > > > >His life was the inspiration for his production of the movie "The
Man
> > > > >Without A Face." He is to be admired by all of us as a God fearing
> man,
> > a
> > > > >political conservative, and an example to all as a true man of
> courage.
> > > And
> > > > >to think I admired him before I knew any of this! He is quite a
man!
> > > > >
> > > > >Paul Harvey
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
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