7 Christmas movies to watch with your family
'I Heard the Bells'
Sight & Sound has released its debut film, “I Heard The Bells.” The holiday film tells the true story of American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
For decades, the ministry Sight & Sound has created biblically-based entertainment at its performance theaters. This year, it has expanded its entertainment portfolio with Sight & Sound Films, beginning with the Christmas movie release, “I Heard the Bells.”
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Set in the 1800s, the film is about the American poet who "leads an idyllic life until the day his world is shattered by tragedy," the film synopsis reads. "With a nation divided by Civil War and his family torn apart, Henry puts down his pen, silenced by grief. But it's the sound of Christmas morning that reignites the poet's lost voice as he discovers the resounding hope of rekindled faith."
"COVID really pushed us out of the nest," Sight & Sound President and Chief Story Officer Joshua Enck told The Christian Post in an interview about how the new film came about. "We were predominantly, obviously, a theatre company, telling [the stories of] biblical characters on stage in a very epic way and that really became the Sight & Sound brand. But a lot of us have always sensed that we are more than a theatre company and theatre ministry. We really felt more like a story company, a company and ministry of storytellers."
The creator said it has always been the power of story that appeals to him, and Sight & Sound has never discounted any method or vehicle of storytelling in its 46 years as a ministry. Now films are the next avenue.
During the pandemic and ongoing lockdowns, the ministry launched the streaming service Sight & Sound TV, which enabled people in more than 100 countries to watch live performances, including "Queen Esther." After God's leading, the organization decided to take a leap of faith and create Christian films.
"Our heart for Sight & Sound films is to tell the stories of figures and events from history who changed the world because Christ first changed them," Enck told CP about why the team decided to make “I Heard the Bells.” "There are endless stories, endless people, and figures and events that we could talk about,” he added.
The film's creator said that, off the top of his head, he could list 10 Christian figures throughout history who changed the world through a song, a poem or an event.
"So many Christians in our recent history, post-Bible characters that just because they have died, doesn't mean that their stories are dead or that their prayers are dead. We have a calling to pick up those batons and tell those stories and inspire a new generation,” Enck said.
Longfellow penned the 1863 Christmas poem, "Christmas Bells" and it was later turned into the Christmas carol "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." The song tells the story of Longfellow hearing Christmas bells during the American Civil War which helped him find hope in God again.
The true story behind the beloved Christmas carol and Longfellow is now showing in select movie theaters. To purchase tickets visit Fathom Events.
Jeannie Ortega Law is a reporter for The Christian Post. Reach her at: [email protected] She's also the author of the book, What Is Happening to Me? How to Defeat Your Unseen Enemy Follow her on Twitter: @jlawcp Facebook: JeannieOMusic
