The animated film 'The King of Kings' presents the life of Jesus Christ through the storytelling of Charles Dickens. The film is adapted from a novel and is suitable for families. It highlights key events from Jesus' life, such as the Calming of the Storm. The movie is opening in theaters with a 'Kids Go Free' campaign. The film is a primer on Jesus, drawing from the Gospels, and features Dickens as a character telling the story to his children.
2 months ago
"The King of Kings" is an animated film based on Charles Dickens' "The Life of Our Lord," aimed at bringing the story of Jesus to a younger audience 1 3. The film utilizes a story-within-a-story format, featuring Dickens narrating the life, death, and resurrection of Christ to his children 1 3. It is produced by Angel Studios, known for its family-friendly and faith-based content 2.
The film frames the narrative as Charles Dickens (voiced by Kenneth Branagh) telling the story of Jesus to his son Walter (Roman Davis) 1 2 3. Walter's rambunctious behavior and fascination with King Arthur prompt Dickens to share the "greatest king of all" 1 3. Dickens and Walter sometimes appear within the Bible story, interacting or observing the events 1. This approach aims to make the New Testament accessible and engaging for children 2 3.
Directed by Seong-ho Jang, the film features distinct animation styles to differentiate the Victorian world from the biblical narrative 1. The Victorian scenes are more detailed, resembling Pixar films, while the Jesus story uses elongated characters reminiscent of puppets or Claymation 1. The voice cast includes Oscar Isaac as Jesus, Uma Thurman as Catherine Dickens, Mark Hamill as King Herod, and Pierce Brosnan as Pontius Pilate 3.
"The King of Kings" is specifically geared towards a younger audience, though it is expected to appeal to adults as well 3. The film downplays the violence often associated with New Testament stories, aiming for a gentler portrayal 2. One review notes that the film may prompt questions about the portrayal of Jewish leaders and the motivations behind the Crucifixion 2.
The film's release coincides with a surge of Christian-themed movies and shows 3. This includes "The Last Supper" and "The Chosen: Last Supper," indicating a growing market for faith-based entertainment 3. "The King of Kings" stands out as an animated adaptation designed for families, particularly during the Lenten and Easter season 1 3.
The Church addresses communicating Christ's life effectively to children.
The Church emphasizes the importance of effectively communicating the life of Christ to children through various means, including catechesis, religious education, and family life . This communication aims to initiate them into a full Christian life, fostering a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and integrating them into the Church community .
Several key principles guide the Church's approach to catechesis and religious education for children:
"The King of Kings," as an animated film based on the life of Christ, can be evaluated based on these principles:
Communicating the life of Christ to children requires a multifaceted approach that combines systematic teaching, personal witness, integration of faith and life, and active participation in the Church community . "The King of Kings" has the potential to be a valuable resource for introducing children to the story of Jesus, but it should be used in conjunction with other forms of catechesis and religious education to ensure a complete and accurate understanding of the Gospel message .