Pilgrim's Progress: Journey to Heaven

I just recently watched Pilgrim's Progess: Journey to Heaven, and was completely satisfied with the experience. I would recomemend this movie to any Christian and/or fan of John Bunyan's classis story.First of all, though the problems with the movie are few, I want to address them for the sake of giving an accurate review. The special effects are good (they don't look like a cheesy Saturday morning cartoon), but they are more like what you would see on a decent TV show than comparing with a Hollywood Blockbuster. That being said, the effects were well done. Also, as the director Danny Carrales correctly pointed out in a brief message on the DVD, not everything that is in the book has made it to the film. Like other movie adaptations, this one is only on Christian's story and does not address Christiana's travels (which was about half of John Bunyan's book), and some of Christian's story is shortened or ommited.All that being said, the message of John Bunyan is faithfully conveyed in a powerful way. Granted that it takes a couple of minutes to get used to seeing the modern settings and clothing, but I don't see this a problem because Bunyan was writing to his contemporary audience, so making the message seem applicable to our lives is keeping with the spirit of the book. The acting was superb, and really served to help the viewer relate to the characters. The dialogue was strait and to the point and well-executed without feeling awkward. The cinematography was excelent in serving to ground the veiwer in place and mood. But what I thought the best part of the movie was is how it constantly hammers the Gospel Message from the start all the way through to the very end. I couldn't keep count of the times that the message of Salvation from sin through the Grace of Jesus Christ alone was clearly stated. This film did not pull any punches or gloss over the Gospel Message an any way, shape, or form.A quick note to parents: this film is not rated, but it does have a couple violent parts in it (you may recall the battle with Apolyon) and some disturbing content (hell is suppose to be disturbing). This film would not get a rating higher than PG with the MPAA, but parents with younger or more sensitive children may want to preview the movie first.Overall, I would have to say that as a longtime fan of John Bunyan's classic story, this is the first movie adaptation that satisfied. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a non-watered down Christian film as well as anyone who is not a Christian but is interested in what the true Message of Salvation is.

"Many of today's filmmakers are focusing their lenses on important stories as they seek to change the world through their movies". This DVD is an example of this very thing."Christian, in A Pilgrim's Progress, is a stranger in a strange land, curious, hopeful ... and a bit intimidated" and this was clearly demonstrated and portrayed nicely. I was not disappointed in this DVD and was able to empathize and apply it to my own life just like so many have done with the reading of the original book of this title. Meaning, the movie adheres fairly tightly to the original book and I wasn't caught up in trying to figure out the liberties taken by the film industry. I was truly able to enjoy the movie and how it flowed and appreciated and felt the benefit of being able to see the books pages come to life and in motion right before me.Production value was good. Even good + with some fairly ok computer generated insertions (some can be so hokey and these did not leave you asking "why did they do that as it just took away from the feel of a genuine experience" or "am I playing a game on the computer screen now"?). Acting was good + and convincing. They were able to draw you in and past.....in contrast to leaving you on the fringe wondering why they were chosen to depict the part (and in hopes they had a different day job as well).The bottom line for me was this....the true intent (and content) of the story came through despite the fact it didn't have a million dollar budget to do it. Our children, (8 and 6) who have read the child's version of this story, also very much enjoyed it and have watched it more than once. Granted, it is not the eye-candy we are accustomed to in so many of the movies out there with cinematography (Lord of the Rings, Narnia) and yet it is one that is still very well put together. It is a "keeper for the collection" and we have even purchased it as a gift for others (including a copy of the book to go with it). This is a classic story and one that should be on film and they did well with the making of this one.

John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress is an enduring classic. Its appeal is in the fact that his allegory does not sugarcoat the journey that all of us must embark upon if we are to be saved. This journey is fraught with many dangers, but it is one in which the victory promises great joy. This modern-day adaptation is truly moving. The script stays true to Bunyan's book while simultaneously making the language accessible to those who would not read the story. Purists may not like this film, but I found it to be extrememely inspiring.In the City of Disstruction, a man named Christian is barraged by doubts and fears. A book that he reads predicts that his city will be destroyed by fire and urges him and his family to escape. Not only does Christian deal with inward turmoil, but he is crippled by a horrendous burden upon his back that hinders his movements. A man named Evangelist urges Christian to journey to the Celestial City, a place of refuge where he will escape the coming judgment. Christian sets forth on his journey, little knowing that many dangerous foes lie in wait. However, many helpers also wait in the wings to offer their assistance.The acting in this movie was very good. Certain characters were not portrayed in ways I would have imagined, but the overall effect of the film is excellent. My favorite scenes were Christian's encounter with Worldly Wise, the trial scene at Vanity Fair, and the journey through the dark river. Pilgrim's Progress is an entertaining journey that dramatizes our daily struggles with the Evil One and our only hope in our Savior, Jesus Christ. I pray that more Christian movies in the allegorical/fantasy genre will be made. God bless you all.(Please look for my allegorical novel entitled Crimilia, which is available on this site. Thank you).