With Easter approaching, members of several local churches are excited about the upcoming release of a new animated film version of John Bunyan's epic allegory, Pilgrim's Progress. It was the first novel ever written in English and tells the story of a man named Christian who journeys to the Celestial City.
"The 2019 film will be the story's feature-length theatrical debut, as well as the first CGI (computer-generated imagery) animated telling of the timeless tale," according to a press release by the film's producers, Revelation Media and Cat in the Mill Studios. "Media-driven families can be assured that this centuries-old story can still connect with viewers of all ages."
It will be shown only in 700 selected theaters throughout the country on April 18 and 20, but producers made the film available to churches to show to their congregations before to the release. Members of Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Brooksville Wesleyan Church and New Beginnings Life Center signed up to participate in the private screening.
"I thought it was wonderful," said Janet Massenburg from New Beginnings after seeing the movie in March. "It connected so well with what the Bible says. Even the names of the characters made a connection, but in a subtle way that we could easily understand."
Gale New, business manager and treasurer at Brooksville Wesleyan, also saw the film in March, along with 480 other church members, including children.
"I thought that it was well done and stayed close to the book," he said. "I did personally think that they took a lot of liberty with their monsters. It appeared they were trying to compete with the present-day movies, which could make this a little too much for the younger kids. I would recommend it for teens and above."
Publicity released for the film recommends the movie to those age 8 and older.
Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church will preview the film this month. Senior pastor Matthew Everhard is enthusiastic about seeing this version of the story and sharing it with his congregation.
"Pilgrim's Progress is one of the all-time great Christian classic books. In fact, I believe it is the number two best-selling Christian book of all time, second only to the Bible," Everhard said. "I love this book and read it aloud to all of my children at the family dinner table. I use scenes from the book as sermon illustrations regularly in my preaching and teaching. I find it of enormous spiritual benefit as devotional reading."
Everhard hopes people will go further than viewing the film.
"My hope is that people would see the movie and be prompted to actually read the book itself," he said.
Bunyan penned the story of Christian's adventures circa 1678 while in prison in Bedford, England, for preaching without a license and holding religious services that did not conform to the Church of England.
The story of Christian begins in the "City of Destruction" where he reads a "Book" that leads him on "a treacherous and dangerous journey from which he would never return." Bunyan uses characters, as well as places, throughout the story. Each is named according to his or her character, like Giant Despair and Slough of Despondency, to aid or try to impede Christian along his way. The journey ends when Christian reaches the Celestial City. Having come by the way of the cross where his sins were forgiven, he is able to enter.
"A man there was, though some did count him mad, the more he cast away, the more he had," wrote Bunyan about his earnest pilgrim.
The story is one that can be related to by "every Christian in all places and all times," said producer Steve Cleary in an interview with American Family Association Journal. "It exists in a world of its own while revealing profound biblical truths. That's why its appeal has been universal."
There was no charge to the churches showing the film; the production company requested an offering be taken toward production costs. The film is available for free to missionaries.
To go: About 700 theaters nationwide will show Pilgrim's Progress on April 18 and 20 through Fathom Events. To find a theater, download a free storybook or request information on making the film available to missionaries, visit pilgrims.movie/. DVD copies will be available at afastore.net after the film's opening.
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