Genres

Visitors Review

2013-06-15 18:36:16

Heard about it.

This review is from: Pilgrim's Progress (DVD) A friend recommended this book, but I enjoy videos much better. The tale comes alive in this video. Really worth the time to watch.

2013-06-15 16:53:24

better to try and fail than fail at trying.

im sure the producer of this film had good intentions in mind,but surely the film was far from good.It is a shame that nobody has been able to portray this magnificent work of art into a quality motion picture such as that wich we find in the book.I long for the day that a quality producer will take notice of this story and bring it to life for millions to enjoy.I believe that this story in the right hands will far surpass the action, intensity, and amazement of any film in times past.The lord of the ring was an brilliant piece but the pilgrims progress is so far beyond it.The producer of this piece obviously did not have the mind nor the resourses to bring this story to life.

2013-06-11 13:57:51

Holy Carp, the production value is aweful! Buy another version...not this one!

This review is from: Pilgrim's Progress (DVD) This is a truly timeless tale of faith and the human quest for salvation.With that said...there is nothing else nice to say about this movie. It is like a high-school production of this famous book, based on an edited version of Cliff notes.It is hard to tell if the acting is bad, because the editing is so far off. The special effects are more like "Special ed", and the visual quality is less than you could get with a modern smart phone.I am told there is another production of Pilgrims Progress, so go buy that one...NOT THIS ONE!

2013-06-11 03:17:24

Pilgrim's Progress, Peter Thomas

Biblical, informative, intriguing, relevant in message, simple, sincere, thought and life challenging, and communicates to most ages on providing some introductory definitions, e.g., the meanings of symbolic names.

dentonsfarm 2013-06-06 04:04:36

Why Are There So Many Terrible Christian Made Films?

The Pilgrim's Progress is the greates English Alegory and one of thegreatest works in the English Language. Why could they / did they notstrive to make this film stand up to par with Bunyan's classicmasterpiece. Just because the film was obviously low budget doesn'tmean they have to have low imagination also. But, it was a Ken AndersonProduction and that means don't watch it if you you want to live to seethe next day. True, Liam Nesson is in it. As a matter of fact this washis first movie debut. Take in mind, that I love The Pilgrim'sProgress, and I believe that it can undoubtedly be made into an awesomemovie, but I would advise anyone, "Stay away from this version."

2013-06-05 10:50:42

A Timeless Classic!

This review is from: Pilgrim's Progress (DVD) If you've never read John Bunyan's timeless classic "Pilgrim's Progress"... you should. And THEN view this well done translation of it to film. I say this because like all movies based on a book, it cannot possibly convey it fully. It's also a collector's item having the now famous Liam Neeson playing the starring role of "Pilgrim" in it. And here, as in his role in "Krull"; he shows all the usual rough edges of an actor yet new to the business, yet convincing enough to be a "diamond in the rough".Fast action movie fans will find it a bit dull and tedious for their tastes. Yet considering the venerability of the subject matter, should not readily dismiss it either.For Parents: This is definitely a "Must Own", being both morally instructive, and cinematically entertaining.

ed-755 2013-05-30 17:21:59

Incorrect Cast Listing

The cast listing on this picture is incorrect. Peter Thomas is notWorldly Wiseman, he is Pilgrim/Christian. Liam Neeson is both JesusChrist and Evangelist (his first film experience, and Ken & MaxAnderson were a geniuses at talent-scouting). Liam was also in"Christiana", the sequel ("Christiana's Progress" was also Bunyan'ssequel to "Pilgrim's Progress"). I believe Maurice O'Callaghan wasWorldly Wiseman, who was also Apollyon in Christiana, where PeterThomas was Pilgrim again and Liam Neeson was Greatheart. Peter is theson of the great Christian preacher/teacher Major Ian Thomas, who wrote"The Indwelling Life of Christ", and founded the Capernwray Schools andLodges, and began the Torchbearer ministry in churches. Peter is nowthe National Director and Principal of Capernwray New Zealand(http://www.capernwray.org.nz/AnnouncementRetrieve.aspx?ID=38817) whichis a great school, and an all-around great guy, just like his fatherwas.

2013-05-30 06:01:29

Not what I thought.

This review is from: Pilgrim's Progress (DVD) I got this movie after reading the reviews here. I was very disappointed. I'm giving this two stars only because of the message it conveys. If not for that I would give it 1 star. I know this was done in the 70's, but it seemed to me that it was rushed. Too much of the book was missed. I felt the chanting was rather distracting, espically when the movie was beginning to peak. I thought the animated version (even though it is slow) was much better. I really hope that someone does another movie and or even a mini series, that way they can touch on the whole book.

deacon_blues-3 2013-05-28 01:23:25

A superb early effort

I think that most of the other commentaries on this film are moreconcerned with PP as allegory and literature. What they fail to takeinto account is that this film, by contrast, is primarily concernedwith taking the reality behind the allegory seriously. In this, itfollows Bunyan himself, who would have been horrified by the prospectof literature students studying his little book as mere literature,when he himself was motivated by the same zeal that also motivated themakers of this film, namely, to save souls from hell! The film isnarrated by George Beverly Shea (Dr. Billy Graham's favorite baritonevocalist). Ken Anderson Films is a shamelessly evangelical Christianministry. I myself first saw this film (and Liam Neeson as well) at aBaptist Church movie night. I was much impressed by both the spiritualcontent of the story and the arresting screen presence of Neeson, whomanyone could see was headed for stardom. Granting that the productionis extremely low-budget, and the acting is quite amateurish at best(except for Neeson, of course). The film is faithful to the message ofthe book, although condensed into a very abridged format. I applaud thefilmmakers for keeping their dramatic devices simple andunsophisticated, as Bunyan himself would have approved. Their point wasalways the universal plight of the sinful human soul, and it'ssalvation through the Word of God and the Gospel of our Lord JesusChrist, not artfully reproducing each minute literary detail ofBunyan's allegory. My candid advice to the other commentators on thisfilm: please be gracious enough to allow real Christians who care aboutthe true purpose of Bunyan's book to use it as it was intended withoutharsh criticism. PP is not mere literature, it's only worth is inservice to the gospel of the living Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Whenyou study it as mere literature, you do it and John Bunyan's memory agreat disservice, as he would tell you himself if he were here.

2013-05-27 04:42:08

Not worth 2 cents

Don't waste your time or money. The book is great, the video is horrible, boring etc. My three kids, 10, 8 & 5 didn't like it and we liked it less! I accidentally put one star in the rating, it's not even worthy of that!

2013-04-08 12:03:16

Give this a chance

I own several hundred movies, mostly comedies and adventure films, almost all of which are box office hits. Pilgrim's Progress remains my number one favorite movie of all time. No other allegory is as hard hitting as this one. Cinematography-wise it doesn't rate high. But the message is unparalleled. I've read the unabridged book many times, my favorite reading next to the Bible. I first saw it in a youth group over 20 years ago and it inspired me to read the book. No, it isn't as good as the book but what movie is? Still, the movie adds some nice twists that wouldn't translate well in printed form such as Pilgrim's penchant for falling into trouble every time he takes a trail that turns left. Nice touch. I'm sorry more people don't see this movie for what it is. And Liam Neeson did an admirable job in his first movie role. So, just what is the movie about? A "pilgrim" is very troubled and not sure why. But he knows he must leave his City of Destruction. His family doesn't want him to go but his conscience won't allow him to stay. He has heard a few words of scripture such as "Flee from the wrath that is to come". So he begins his journey...a literal journey...to the Celestial City. Along the way he meets many interesting characters such as Obstinate. All of the names fit the characters. Evangelist (played by Liam Neeson) points him in the right direction and gives him a key that will unlock any lock. On his way to the Gatekeeper he falls into the Slough of Despond and then into Doubting Castle where many believers have perished. But he persists. The real tearjerker in the movie is when he has an encounter with Jesus at the Cross. Words are not exchanged but when he sees Jesus, the burden that has been on his back up to this point suddenly falls off his back and he now has a Bible in his hands. It just gets better from there. His name is no longer Pilgrim but now Christian. He meets a companion on the way and they become good friends as they enter the city Vanity Fair. Here his companion becomes a martyr. Cover your children's eyes at this point, the scene of flesh being burned off of his body is disturbing. Eventually Christian comes to the point of entering the Celestial City. But to get there he must pass through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. John Bunyan's book comes to life in this movie in a way that I believe does the book justice.

2013-04-07 21:18:55

Best Evangelistic Film I ever used!

I was a missionary in the 80s in Honduras, CA. I had this film on 16mm in those days. I carried it into the Mosquita Jungle and it was always the favorite of any that I had! I have seen hundreds get saved in a village showing this film. When Pilgrim comes to the cross and the feet of Jesus and gets saved, the burden on His back breaks free and rolls away down the hill. I was never in a village that the whole village didn't get up and cheer at this point! Obviously, those reviews I read about how bad it was, came from people who only looked at the surface and missed the spiritual power of the movie! I am looking to buy one in spanish and english in VHS so that I can continue to use it! I have been working in Africa for the last 15 years and recently have begun to work in Central America again. I look forward to the souls that will be saved using this film.Pastor George Capehart

2013-04-07 01:06:21

So Bad I Sent it Back

We have read the book as a family and individually several times, and this is definately not faithful to Bunyan. It has been several years and I still have the nasty taste the tape left in my mouth - so bad we sent it back to the seller. If you can find the old animated version, it is much better if you can get by the primitive animation. I have not seen the new version, (Dangerous Journey), but it would have to try really hard to be worse than this. The film takes most of the characters in which Bunyan desires to teach us lessons about faith and human nature, and morphs them all into Satan. The ending is real televanglist-style evangelism, with Satan in an old graveyard pointing out the ones he got. Don't get this if you are interested in Bunyan's form of evangelism.

2013-04-06 15:39:58

Good Old Fashioned Basics of Christianity

My aunt loaned us this DVD. And I also read the book in the late 80's. I guess our personal discipleship is also called our Christian walk in the New Testament. The Pilgrim left his former immoral lifestyle and went on s spiritual journey in search of Heaven-the Celestial City. He cast off his burden of guilt over his past sins when he came to the cross. I think the fools of Toledo, Ohio mocking my Christian beliefs reminded me of the evil immoral mockers at the town called Vanity Fair. Toledo also has a recognized whore problem in the news. When I once went to a Baptist church of which I was an official member, the pastor mentioned how we should lean on the Promises of God in the Bible to get us through The Slough of Despond! I also noticed that I go from interest in minstriy to ministry as my spiritual needs dictate. And I could identify the fragments of Scripture (although not by chapter and verse)from my own Bible Study and reading. They left Pilgrim's wife Christiana out of this movie. And the shodowy lighting in the film did make it seem low budget. But it had a good message! At a time I just thought of my Christianity as me and my Bible and the Holy Spirit. No fancy churches!

2013-03-29 22:51:37

Pilgrim's Progress

This review is from: Pilgrim's Progress (DVD) Pilgrim's ProgressI HAVE BOUGHT OF FEW OF THESE DVD'S TO GIVE AWAY, AND WILL CONTINUE BUYING MORE. THIS IS A MARVELOUS STORY ABOUT A MAN'S JOURNEY TO THE HOLY CITY, AND ALL THE ENCOUNTERS WITH SATAN ON HIS WAY, TRYING TO DISTRACT HIM IN ORDER TO AVOID HIS ENTRANCE TO IT, BUT FINALLY HE SUCCEEDS IN HIS JOURNEY. A MUST TO WATCH!

2013-03-29 13:49:25

Pilgrim's Progress

This review is from: Pilgrim's Progress (DVD) The book was very hard for me to follow, so when I saw this, I bought it.This was excellent and made it easy for understanding for people who are visual. I purchased several of these as gifts and recommended it to many who have struggles in their Christian walk. This is recommended for any age that can read and understand the Bible even a little bit.

2013-03-29 12:13:37

Not worth 2 cents

This review is from: Pilgrim's Progress (DVD) Don't waste your time or money. The book is great, the video is horrible, boring etc. My three kids, 10, 8 & 5 didn't like it and we liked it less! I accidentally put one star in the rating, it's not even worthy of that!

2013-03-28 19:30:29

Does not follow the book

This review is from: Pilgrim's Progress (DVD) I was disapointed that this DVD did not follow the book as closely as it could have. The end was different from the book.

2013-03-26 20:16:30

Arrived on Time, Great Condition

This review is from: Pilgrim's Progress (DVD) This movie was obviously done a number of years ago, so the quality is not the same as newer films, but overall still well done and our family really enjoyed it. We've seen several Ken Anderson films, have enjoyed them all, and appreciate the contributions he made to Christian filmaking.

2013-03-26 04:27:10

Above average.

This review is from: Pilgrim's Progress (DVD) I haven't seen this movie in over 25 years, and I enjoyed it. Although it did move a little slow sometimes. But I highly recommend.