By Mallory Mattingly
Movieguide®’s Evy Carroll sat down with JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM director Adam Anders to discuss how the movie came about.
“I guess my vision, I had this idea 17 years ago, first when I was visiting my wife’s family in Iowa. And I couldn’t find exactly this. You said nobody’s done this. And I’m like, ‘Why?’ We need to do this,'” Anders told Carroll. “And I’ve been a songwriter and producer at that time. I sat down that Christmas and wrote an 11-page treatment with a bunch of song ideas, story ideas and character ideas. That was the beginning of this journey for me.”
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Related: JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM Director Explains Why He ‘Made it for Families’
Anders’ goal behind the movie was to make something for the “entire family.”
Something “that was a celebration and colorful and vibrant and fun,” he continued. “Because so many biblical movies are more somber. People don’t smile. There’s no color. And I don’t want that. I want it to be my storybook Bible as a kid come to life, so kids will be engaged the whole time and lean in and wanna watch this over and over again, and see what Christmas is about.”
JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM won the Epiphany Prize for Most Inspiring Movie at Moveiguide® Awards Gala in 2024.
A part of Movieguide®’s review for the film reads:
JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM is a heartfelt musical about the Nativity Story, the Birth of Jesus Christ. Taken mostly from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, the movie starts by introducing Mary and Joseph, the three wise men, and King Herod and his eldest son. Joseph sticks by Mary when he has a dream where the Angel Gabriel confirms Mary’s story about Mary carrying the Son of God. Meanwhile, after the three wise men visit the palace, King Herod sends his eldest son to find the mother of the Christ child and kill them.
JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM is a great musical with lots of jeopardy and some funny comic relief to lighten the mood. The songs are really good, and so are the performances. Although this is a musical version of the Nativity Story, the filmmakers treat the birth of Jesus with the proper reverence it deserves. The script and song lyrics refer to Jesus as Lord, the Son of God, the Messiah, King of all kings, Immanuel, and “God with us.” JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM is one of the most enjoyable, uplifting movies of 2023.
If you and your family are looking for a fun movie to watch this Christmas, JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM is a great one to watch. It is filled with music, color, fun, and the story of Jesus’ birth. The movie can be streamed on Netflix.
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