Here is the biography of Richard Dutcher:
Richard Dutcher began his filmmaking career with the ultra-low budget student film "Brother John." As a young graduate of film school, he poured everything he had into making his first feature-length film, the romantic comedy "Girl Crazy." Although "Girl Crazy" was never screened theatrically, Dutcher did sell the picture to HBO/Cinemax, and was able to recoup his expenses.
In 1997, Dutcher directed "Eliza and I," a film adapted from the stage play by actress/playwright Elizabeth J. Hansen, which was shown on public television and is available on video.
Dutcher's first theatrically released film was "God's Army," made with a production budget of $250,000. After its release in Utah, it became the second-highest grossing film in the state for that year. "God's Army" went on to be shown in theaters all over the US, in Mexico, and in Canada, grossing over $2.6 million in US box office sales and over $2.5 million in videos and DVDs in the first year of video release.
With the critical and financial success of "God's Army," Dutcher was easily able to raise money for his next film project, "Brigham City," which opened in Utah theaters on April 6, 2001, and eventually played in theaters around the country. Critics generally considered it an even better film than "God's Army."
Dutcher then made and released "States of Grace," a follow-up to "God's Army." It was this film that provoked film critic Wade Major of Boxoffice Magazine to write, "Dutcher has joined the ranks of the very best independent filmmakers in the world."
In 2007, Dutcher publicly left Mormonism, and released his film "Falling" in Los Angeles and Salt Lake City in 2008. He considers it his finest film.
After "Falling," Dutcher made the $7 million horror film "Evil Angel" starring Ving Rhames, which received a wide international release, but has never received a North American release.
He returned to his low-budget roots with the comedy "The Boys at the Bar" starring Bo Hopkins, which was shot in eight days and made for a budget of $150,000. The film, although finished, has yet to be released, with plans for a 2023 release.
As a hired gun screenwriter, Dutcher has written multiple screenplays now in development for director John McTiernan and producer George Folsey Jr., as well as the screenplay for the independent feature "The Flyboys" from director Rocco Devilliers and Devilliers' next film, "Dark Highway."
