Many thanks to AFFIRM Films, Inc. for providing a sample of the product for this re-view. Opinions are 100% my own.
Journey to Bethlehem brings the nativity story to life in a fresh way that families will love this Christmas. The talented cast, breathtaking music, and creative retelling make it a new holiday classic.
Check out the trailer here!
Journey to Bethlehem stars Milo Manheim as Joseph, Fiona Palomo as Mary, and Antonio Banderas as Herod. I love the Christian band For King and Country and was really looking forward to Joel Smallbone’s portrayal as Antipater, Herod’s son. His performance was extraordinary, even in the scenes with Hollywood veteran Banderas.
The soundtrack alone makes Journey to Bethlehem a must-see, weaving Broadway level songs with wonder and joy without overshadowing the story. Songs stay with you long after leaving the theater. The soundtrack has been on repeat ever since I had the chance to preview it.
While Herod’s power hungry demeanor brings some darkness to the movie, the tone stays uplifting and family-friendly. Kids will enjoy the musical numbers and parents are sure to tear up during the climatic nativity scenes. I know I did, and today was the third time I have seen it. The reverent birth of Jesus scenes are handled gracefully with breathtaking cinematography.
I always watch movies with a director’s eye – ever since I became interested in directing. I found myself noticing new details with each viewing. You’ll want to watch this movie more than once to catch the nuances. One of my favorites is a simple gesture by a certain character towards the end. It is easy to tell that Journey to Bethlehem was crafted with love and care to bring the greatest story ever told to life. Yes, the filmmakers have used some creative license with elements that were not specifically recorded in the Bible, but what IS in the Bible, is not tampered with in any way. Everything fits together in a seamless fashion. See it for yourself and let God speak to you about it.
For my family, this will be a film to be re-watched and shared each holiday season. With its visuals, cast, and uplifting music, Journey to Bethlehem earns glowing praise as a new Christmas classic.
As a special gift to you and your family, the producers have uploaded various resources to the Journey to Bethlehem website such as discussion guides, coloring sheets, and a kids’ advent calendar which you can download for free! Make sure you get your tickets before they sell out! https://tickets.journeytobethlehemmovie.com/
ALSO, and VERY EXCITING to me, is that I have been given the opportunity to giveaway 2 FREE TICKETS to Journey to Bethlehem! This is a quick turnaround giveaway which will end on friday, November 17th! This is limited to US residents only.
