Former senator to discuss his movie “Heaven’s Rain” on national TV
Former state Sen. Brooks Douglass (pictured) is scheduled to discuss his movie “Heaven’s Rain” on a special two-hour NBC Dateline episode set to air at 8 p.m. Friday. 
Douglass is scheduled to promote the Dateline episode with an appearance on NBC’s Today show, which on Friday morning. The Today show airs at 7 a.m.
The Dateline episode will focus on the brutal 1979 attack on the Douglass family in their rural Oklahoma home, in which two criminals claimed the lives of Brooks Douglass’ father and mother, the Rev. Richard Douglass and Marilyn Douglass. Brooks Douglass, who was 16 at the time of the attack, and his sister Leslie, who was 12, survived the attack and eventually testified against the men who killed their parents.
Douglass went on to become a state senator, serving in the state Legislature for 12 years. He sponsored numerous peices of victims’ rights legislation during that time.
He co-wrote, produced and starred in the feature film “Heaven’s Rain,” which enjoyed a premiere and and limited run in Oklahoma and Los Angeles, Calif., in September 2010. Douglass told NewsOK’s Angi Bruss that the movie is set to open in more theaters in Oklahoma and Texas at the end of January and nationwide sometime in March.
Much of the movie was filmed in Oklahoma and features some well-known Oklahoma sites such as the state Capitol building, the Governor’s Mansion, the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester and First Baptist Church of Oklahoma City.
Douglass, who now lives in Los Angeles, Calif., has proven in several interviews with The Oklahoman and other media that he is a willing to talk about one of the most horrible times of his life. He has done so with a grace and dignity that many people might not be able to muster in the aftermath of such a tragedy.
“Heaven’s Rain” was directed and co-written by Paul Brown and stars Douglass as his father Richard Douglass, Mike Vogel who portrays teen and young adult Brooks Douglass, Taryn Manning (who now stars in the TV show “Hawaii Five-O”) portrays Leslie Douglass and Kelly Curran portrays Marilyn Douglass, Brooks Douglass’ mother.
For more information on the Dateline episode, visit: Dateline: Brooks Douglass and “Heaven’s Rain.”
For more information about the movie, visit: www.heavensrainmovie.com.
For Brooks Douglass interview with NewsOK’s Angie Bruss, visit: “Brooks Douglass discusses his new movie.”
For my stories on the former senator and “Heaven’s Rain,” visit: “Feeling Heaven’s Rain.”
“Former state senator shares and bares his soul in ‘Heaven’s Rain.’”
“Movie Review: ‘Heaven’s Rain’ tells story of former state senator’s parents’ murders.” 
Photo caption: Brooks Douglass, portrays his father, the Rev. Richard Douglass, and Nicolas Braico portrays young Brooks in the feature film “Heaven’s Rain.”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
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Comments
Wow, As i watched you on Date line I fully understood what you had gone through. I haven’t lost a parent but I have experienced pain and understand forgiveness. I expereinced someone that I fell in love with molest my child. The person was extremely wealthy. After I experienced an unjust corrupt system I realized all the money wouldn’t give me peace. I prayed that God would give me peace and understanding. Lawyers told me that I could name my price “I could have what I wanted”. I shut down for several years. But through my experience I arrived at forgiveness. I have several beautiful children and I knew that their future was ahead and there life could take a turn at any time and they could murder, molest, or become addicted to drugs. But I realized that they couldn’t do anything that would want me to ever be eternally seperated from them. That’s when I realized that the person that did this was as much a child and he had a parent that would feel the same, but greater yet that’s how God feels about his children. He died to forgive our sins so that we wouldn’t be seperated from him. Finding peace is far greater than anything. It wasn’t easy, it was a growling expereince. I totally understood your pain, peace and forgiveness.
I remember this in real life. I met Mr. Douglass when He served as State Senator. Watched the NBC special and would love to see the move. When will it be in Oklahoma City area or on DVD? It is moving and heart warming to know that you can forgive the person who murdered and raped your sister. I’m not sure I could do that….I was asulted and almost raped more than 20 years ago and it still haunts me. God Bless you for being abile to forgive.
Brooks, I hope you will remember me as Betty Strickland, a teacher at Putnam City High School in 1979, when all this occured. That morning at school, everyone was stunned with disbelief and our hearts went out to you and Leslie. I doubt that anyone taught or learned much that day. I saw yu on Dateline and have been waiting for the movies to come to our theaters. I just talked to Jordan Commons and they gave me this website. I hope you will find a moment to answer me as to when you think it will come this far west. Brooks, if it ever come out on DVD, I would be so thrilled to purchase a copy. Any information yu can give me would be so appreciated.
My heart and prayers were and still are with yu and Leslie and I am so very proud of both of you and what yu have accomplished. If you would care to write to me my address is 6886 Soluth 670 East, Midvale, Utah 84o47.
Sincerely
Bertty Strickland Lawson
I just watched Brooks &Leslie on the View. The story put me in tears. I can’t wait to see it. God bless you!
I live in Oklahoma City and, it’s strange, because I only remember this incident as something in the news for a couple of days and then on to other news. I, too, would love to buy the DVD and find out when it will be playing at our local movie theaters. Besides being a horrendous story, it also seems to be the type of movie that writers love to write (true or not). It took a great deal of courage for his children to play rolls in this movie. And, it took a special person to be able to forgive the murderers.
I watched Brooks and Leslie on the View and I would really like to know when the movie will be out? I feel that this would be a good Spiritual and family movie to watch.
I would just like to say your story brough me to tears,GOD bless you and your sister.I would also like more information about the movie and if it will be on DVD.
To Brooks and Leslie Douglas
I wanted to express my condolences for the loss of your parents. I’m sure you know that the Bible gives hope for us as well as ones we’ve lost in death. What is that hope? It is the hope of the resurrection as the account of Lazarus at John 11:24, 43-44.’
While they are asleep in death, it is just that, sleep. We have a chance to see our loved ones again. As we enjoy fond memories now, we will be able to relive the joy of having them around again.
To many, this may seem impossible but, the Bible clearly states ‘it is impossible for God to lie’ – Heb 6:18
I want to encourage you as well as friends to read the Bible and take pleasure that there are things better to come.
This is the first time I hear about this story. I am watching the movie right now and read about it on line. I cannot imagine what you and your sister went through in this tragedy! But, I am amazed at the power of forgiveness in your lives. Only “in Christ” can a human forgive those who cause pain and tragedy… God bless you both. May the Lord continue to use you in giving hope and forgiveness to so many hurting today.
I had Rev. Douglas at OBU when I was a freshman. Mrs. Douglas was in our Music Department. They were such wonderful people. The world lost a great couple. My prayers continually go up for Brooks and Leslie.