NEW YORK (OSV News) — Over the course of several years in the 1840s, Charles Dickens, already renowned for his novels, penned a different kind of text. Entitled “The Life of Our Lord,” his version of the Gospel story was intended for a small and exclusive audience: the nine of his 10 children who survived infancy.
Dickens made a family tradition of reading his work to his kids every Christmas. But he opposed its ever being shared with a wider public. Thus it was not until 1934, shortly after the last of his immediate progeny died, that his more remote descendants made the decision to publish it.
With the Easter season upon us, Dickens’ biography comes to the big screen as “The King of Kings” (Angel Studios). In keeping with its august source material, the film is an excellent animated introduction to its sacred subject matter for youngsters.
Finding that his rambunctious but goodhearted young son Walter (voice of Roman Griffin Davis) is obsessed with King Arthur and his knights of the roundtable, the great author (voice of Kenneth Branagh) at the behest of his wife, Catherine (voice of Uma Thurman), resolves to tell the lad the tale of a very different sovereign.
As Dickens gives a lively recounting of the Nativity, miracles, ministry, Passion and Resurrection of Jesus (voice of Oscar Isaac), Walter and his beloved pet cat, Willa, become eyewitnesses of the various events. So, too, do viewers.
A top-flight cast — Pierce Brosnan voices Pontius Pilate, Ben Kingsley Caiaphas — and some impressive visuals bolster director and co-writer Seong-Ho Jang’s winning adaptation. The script, on which Jang collaborated with Rob Edwards, also efficiently places the life of Jesus within the context of the whole history of salvation, reaching back to the Garden of Eden.
This ultimately enables Walter, as well as the movie’s youthful intended audience, to understand the need for — and meaning of — Jesus’ sacrificial death. Like King Herod’s (voice of Mark Hamill) slaughter of the innocents and the tale of the woman taken in adultery, the Crucifixion is dealt with in an age-appropriate way. Still, such material may not be suitable for tots.
For all others, including parents, “The King of Kings” will prove a welcome treat.
The OSV News classification is A-I — general patronage. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
Read More Movie & TV Reviews
Movie Review: ‘David’
The film traces the adventurous life of the biblical king (voice of Brandon Engman in youth, voice of Phil Wickham as an adult) from his anointing by the prophet Samuel (voiced by Brian Stivale) through his defeat of the giant Goliath (voice of Kamran Nikhad) and on to a climactic battle against the Amalekites. It also focuses on three of his most important relationships.
Fathom Entertainment encores Lord of the Rings trilogy
To mark the 25th anniversary of the release of the first film in director Peter Jackson’s trilogy “The Lord of the Rings,” Fathom Entertainment will be screening all three movies in the series this month.
Continue Reading Fathom Entertainment encores Lord of the Rings trilogy
Hundreds bid ‘adieu’ to Brigitte Bardot at funeral in Saint-Tropez
Crowds gathered in the French coastal town of Saint-Tropez to bid a final farewell to actress Brigitte Bardot.
Continue Reading Hundreds bid ‘adieu’ to Brigitte Bardot at funeral in Saint-Tropez
Movie Review: ‘Song Sung Blue’
There is not one ounce of cynicism in “Song Sung Blue” (Focus), the fact-based tale of a Neil Diamond cover band from Milwaukee. And therein lies immense power.
Home viewing roundup: What’s available to stream and what’s on horizon
Capsule reviews of theatrical movies available now for streaming or scheduled for broadcast on network or cable television as well as notes on TV programming for the same week.
Continue Reading Home viewing roundup: What’s available to stream and what’s on horizon
Movie Review: ‘The Housemaid’
As a mystery in which no one is who they appear to be, the psychological horror film “The Housemaid” (Lionsgate) has a lot of entertaining suspense to offer viewers. Yet the movie is also a gory revenge fantasy that dabbles in grotesquery and sadistic behavior, thus severely circumscribing its appropriate audience.
Copyright © 2025 OSV News
