Light of the World is an animated film about Jesus’s life as told by the Apostle John. It is aimed at younger audiences but has appeal for all generations. Source: Australian Catholics.
Over the centuries there have been attempts to combine the four Gospels into a continuous narrative – an impossible task as events in Jesus’ life are not presented in chronological order and particular details differ in each of the Gospels.
This offers writers and filmmakers the chance to draw on the Gospels to create their own atmosphere, timeline, emphasis on characters and highlight different events.
That is what the writers have done in Light of the World, interestingly introducing the Gospel by a visual recap of the Creation story, the sin of Adam and Eve and the need for a Messiah.
Animation films, especially for younger audiences, want to find a creative way to draw the audience. In this film, the writers have chosen to focus on Zebedee and his wife, Salome, and their sons James and the young, sometimes rowdy, sometimes not very practical, John.
In fact, our focus is very much on John, as a young boy, then teenager, trying to do good, sometimes failing, worried about Zebedee’s thinking the Messiah is a fiction, but confident in his mother’s belief and hope. He is always on the alert, takes a cue from Andrew, and goes down to the Jordan to discover the Baptiser (certainly not our usual image of John the Baptist). Which leads him to Jesus.
Jesus here is engaging, sometimes unassuming, sometimes speaking out. He is tall, with a strong look, and frequently, a slight whimsical smile.
Many Gospel episodes here are arranged in an unexpectedly different order from what we might imagine (including a flashback to Cana, introducing Mary, John observing the miracle of water and wine). Some events pass quickly, such as Jesus’s blessing of the bread and the feeding of the thousands.
Audiences will have their favourite moments. Noteworthy are the special effects for the storm at the Sea of Galilee and the healing of Mary Magdalene. The film moves quickly towards the Last Supper, Jesus’s Passion and the final optimism of the Ascension.
The film is evangelical with a post-credits invitation to the audience to make contact, scanning and on-screen QR code, if they would like further inspiration and understanding.
Review by Fr Peter Malone MSC, Jesuit Media
Light of the World: Voices of Ian Hanlin, Benjamin Jacobson. Directed by Tom Bancroft, John J Schafer. 91 minutes. Rated PG (Mild themes and animated violence).
FULL STORY
Light of the World (Australian Catholics)
