Journey to Bethlehem Movie Review

We were invited and hosted to attend a special red carpet screening of the new “Journey to Bethlehem” movie in Beverly Hills this past weekend. We were extremely excited to attend a movie about the birth of Christ showing on the silver screen. The movie took 17 years from first conception, to its final product, which goes to show that it was truly God’s timing for it to come out now. Here is our “Journey to Bethlehem” movie review with a brief summary as well as an interview with the director and music composer Adam Anders.

Summary of Journey to Bethlehem:

“Journey to Bethlehem” brings the story of the birth of Christ to life in a family-friendly, musical extravaganza. This heartwarming production invites viewers on an enchanting journey to the humble town of Bethlehem, where they’ll witness the timeless true story of the Nativity in a new and captivating way.

The story unfolds as a very talented cast portrays key characters from the Christmas story. Joseph, played by Milo Mannheim (our favorite guy from the well known Disney series “Zombies”), Mary played by Fiona Paloma, King Herod played by Antonio Banderas, the angel played by famous Christian rapper, Lecrae, Joel Smallbone as King Herod’s son, and many more.

From the very beginning, the musical’s melodies are catchy and beautiful, making it easy for both children and adults to get caught up in the story (I often had tears in my eyes). The songs are thoughtfully composed and thought-provoking, drawing parallels between the Nativity and the modern world. The choreography is well executed, not over the top, but a perfect addition to the bigger musical numbers.

Length of Journey to Bethlehem:

Approximately 2 hours

Rating:

PG

Interview with the director:

How did you approach the movie from a biblical standpoint? What did you want to make sure was still very accurate?

“It was very important to me that I stayed true to the word. There is only Matthew 1-2, and Luke 1-2 to go off of.  So I tried to live in the “in betweens”. This is the most important story I will ever tell, and I had to protect the scripture at all costs. At the same time this is a musical, not a documentary. So I also have to take enough license to justify breaking into song and dance to pop music! They obviously didn’t do that in the bible.

I also wanted to make sure this was a version that non-believers would love as well. At the end of the day,  how do we reach others with the story of what Christmas is actually about?  By making a great movie inspired by the true word of God. So I started every day asking God to guide my steps and to reveal to me what he wanted me to say and how he wanted me to say it.”   

Where did you film?

“We filmed in Spain.” 

How long did it take?

“We had only 30 days to shoot it.”  

Were there any funny stories from filming? 

“I’m sure there were,  but I was running around too much to see any of it! LOL”  

Will you be sharing any outtakes? Our kids love those!;) 

“We don’t have many truthfully because shooting was so fast and tight.  But I am sure there will be some for the home video version.” 

Why was telling this story so important to you? 

“God put this dream in my heart 17 years ago and wouldn’t let me give up on it.  I knew that one day I would tell this story in this way.   There are so many beautiful,  colorful, fun, and well made Christmas movie musicals for the family.  The problem is,  none of them actually talk about what Christmas is actually about.   The world needs this story more than ever right now.  I hope it will be a bright light to a very dark world.”  

What do you hope people will take away from the film?

“First of all,  the true meaning of Christmas. I hope people will leave the theater with a renewed sense of why we celebrate Christmas, and also that they will feel a deep joy and hope that comes from this story.  I have seen this movie a thousand times now, and every time we get to the Nativity, I tear up. Why? Not because of what I did with it, but rather because of what He did and what it means to a broken world.  My prayer is that they leave the theater more hopeful than when they came, filled with joy and hope”. 

The music is absolutely amazing, which song(s) came quickly? Which took longer? Are there any that didn’t make the cut? Will we ever get to hear those? 

“They are all over the map. Some have been ideas for 17 years, others were finished the day before I left for Spain. None of them came easily or quickly because we took A LOT of care in crafting them.”  

Will you ever turn it into a musical for the stage? 

“Absolutely. That was the original plan. To make a stage musical. God had other plans though.“

“Journey to Bethlehem” stands out to me as an excellent choice for a wholesome, family-friendly experience during the holiday season. It serves as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas and encourages reflection on the values of love, kindness, and faith. The show strikes a balance between entertainment and education, making it a must-see for families looking to celebrate Christmas in a more meaningful way.

Did the directing team take creative liberties? Yes, it’s a MUSICAL about the birth of Jesus and they actually declare that in the credits. But if you focus on the fact that there may be a character personality that isn’t completely true to scripture, or a side story that may not have occurred, then you are missing the bigger picture.

“Journey to Bethlehem” offers a wonderful opportunity for families to come together and celebrate the true spirit of Christmas while watching the birth of the Savior on the big screen. This musical is an excellent choice that is sure to leave you feeling uplifted and inspired. If you walk away wanting to pick up your Bible and find out how accurate the movie is, then I think the director/producer have done their job!

Get your tickets here and check out the trailer below!

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