I Can Only Imagine: History vs. Hollywood

The I Can Only Imagine true story is compared to the Bart Millard movie about the creation of his band Mercy Me and his song I Can Only Imagine. Learn about the real Bart Millard, including his childhood, and his father Arthur Millard's battle with cancer. Is Bart Millard's girlfriend Shannon based on his real-life wife? Did his mother Adele Millard really leave when he was young? Did his father Arthur break a plate over his head? Was Amy Grant going to sing his song I Can Only Imagine as her own? Discover the true story behind the Mercy Me movie as we fact check the characters and the scenes.

[urrognm]

I give a lot of props to Amy Grant for making the decision that she did. Most people would have said “Tough luck, ” but she realized that this was Bart’s journey, and I have so much respect for her after learning what she did.

[LFlyMN]

When my Dad passed away in 2020, after years fighting Parkinson's disease, my son & daughter sang that song at his funeral. ❤❤❤

[wadeunderhile]

Still an awesome movie. And as a survivor of child abuse that was over the top.I loved this movie. As a kid my clothes stuck to my back at school because of the Vaseline that my mom put on me to help heal my back . But praise God I survived. I'm a preacher now

[bonniebrown]

I remember the day I first heard this song on our local radio station in Canada. I stopped my kitchen work to listen, and was forever changed.
I was blessed to see MercyMe in concert in Michigan years later, and still, their music is a big part of my life

[brucearchie]

Thank you Bart for writing this song. I was always so moved by this song....when my precious Mother passed, I insisted that it be played at her funeral. While I can only Imagine...she had already experienced the actual joy of meeting God.

[ora_street_mission_band]

As someone who was there and knew Bart during the period after his father passing and the release of I Can Only Imagine, this video is surprisingly accurate. Bart did receive 630 or 680 a month from his dad's trust when I knew him when he was involved in a church in Lakeland, FL. He did not date his wife from 8th grade continuously, but reconnected with her after he moved back to Texas. Bart did say his Grandmother came up with the name "Mercy Me" in response to his determination to be a musician, so spot on. Mercy Me formed about the time Bart, Mike and the original keyboardist moved to Edmonds, OK and recorded their first album "Pleased to Meet You" which you can listen to on YouTube. Great video! Keep it up.

[jeremy]

it is June 5 over night 2024. This song showed up in my YT recommend page. I clicked it immediately when I saw Amy's name in the box below. I needed a little worship music right about now, and I downloaded Mercy Me music last night. It touched me very deeply. Bart and I share common threads. His dad found Jesus, mine did not. Both are dead. I love this song so much. Greetings from Montreal Canada. Thank you Bart and Amy for this little gift from heaven.

[monasJourneys]

Thank you so much and sorry for all you went through you are loved❤️
My husband passed away and we played your song. We had 5 kids married 37 years and he went from Christian to got sick got mad at God and abusive for years but before he passed at 57 he came back to Jesus.

[kanmanijaisingh]

I have listened to this song several times in Spirit FM, here in Florida. This and the “Jesus take the wheel “ song spoke to me, made me cry, comforted me through many ordeals. When I am on the road, I usually tune to spirit FM for some inspiration. Watching the story behind the song on Netflix made me cry, a good cry.
Amy Grant is the unsung hero in the movie and in real life. We need more people like her to hold hands and collaborate for a real voice of inspiration to find its place.
Beautiful! Beautiful movie!

[tamra]

I've watched the movie at least 20 times and love Mercy Me in concert! Very powerful story!

[maryestes]

I have watched this movie at least 10 times and I would watch it again and again.

[ghents]

Big props to Amy Grant. Bart is a blessing. I think when we go through so much trauma its so sweet to seek God and have him in our lives.

[Flyforawhiteguy]

Probably one of the most or best songs ever written Melody and harmony

[essaulongobut]

Amy Grant was so considerate towards Bart... Thanks a lot, cheers always.. Thank you

[sharonbosarge]

Just watched the movie again it's such a good movie and the song is beautiful. Thanks for the information on it 😊

[elizabethrose]

I saw this movie. My father was a monster. I forgave him. My dad now 80 is praying. God can make monsters lambs. It takes a long time. My father was sent to Vietnam at 16 in 1959. I don’t know if he was the way he was because of what he did.

[zacharylee]

So basically The Movie is Somewhat Accurate to what happen in Real Life 😱

[singmysong]

The song is so good, the lyrics and the music.

[LillyR]

The family photo says it all oh the smiles and I'm so happy for him . This song will be played at my funeral. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[patmelton]

Saw the movie yesterday. It was great. I identify so much with the father's abuse in this movie. So much truth in here. My Dad beat me simply because he was angry. He would whip me until I wet my pants. Humiliated all the time.