‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’ CGI animated film to hit theaters in 2019 (watch CP video premiere)
Revelation Media is gearing up to release a CGI animated film based off The Pilgrim’s Progress that was written by John Bunyan while he was in prison, persecuted for preaching the Gospel.
First published in 1678, The Pilgrim's Progress is the most famous Christian allegory still in print, according to Britannica, and has sold more copies than any other Christian book, second only to the Bible.
"More than any other story, The Pilgrim’s Progress has been used to inspire and challenge Christians to set their eyes on God," Executive Producer Steve Cleary told The Christian Post. "It has been translated into 200 languages and is known around the world. In 340 years it has never been out of print."
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In a clip of the upcoming film, exclusively released by CP, the traveler, known as Christian, is seen crying out in despair, not knowing what to do or where to go. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a man who calls himself Evangelist appears and points him in the right direction. He advises Christian to run toward his destination because, he said, “the well-intended may not know what’s best at all.”
Cleary told CP that his own spiritual mentor, Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, "was also imprisoned for his faith" and wrote the international best-selling book, Tortured for Christ.
"One of his favorite books was The Pilgrims Progress," Cleary added. "I have had the honor to visit with persecuted Christians in nearly 40 nations. In each of these countries, The Pilgrim’s Progress was known and was an inspiration to believers. I connect with this story on many levels and it is an honor to be producing the first version of this classic masterpiece in CGI animation."
The film will be shown in theaters nationwide and around the world in April 2019. A portion of the profits from the film will be given to support international missions.
“More than any other story (outside the Bible), The Pilgrim's Progress has been used to inspire and challenge Christians to set their eyes on God,” Executive Producer Steve Cleary said in a statement shared with CP. “We are thrilled to offer this tale to a new generation through CGI animation, and are confident that the timeless themes of faith - such as hope, persecution, persistence, doubt, hardships - will resonate in a whole new way.”
Revelation Media launched a Kickstarter campaign during the film’s early stages which helped raise over $60,000 to help with the completion of the project and its translations.
"I am over the moon that Pilgrim's Progress is coming out as a feature-length CGI animated film. The quality is breathtaking. It is so timely and so needed," New Zealand-born evangelist and best-selling author Ray Comfort is quoted saying on the Kickstarter campaign.
The filmmakers are translating the movie in “20 languages” and targeting restricted areas where Christians are often persecuted. Donations from the Kickstarter funding along with advanced ticket sales of the English version will pay for the film to be aired on the second largest TV network in Iran on Easter weekend as well.
The different translations of the animated telling will reportedly reach 3 billion people. Ultimately, Revelation Media plans to offer “The Pilgrim’s Progress” CGI animated film, to viewers in over 100 different languages.
“I have had the honor to visit with persecuted Christians in nearly 40 nations. In each of these countries, ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’ was known and was an inspiration to Believers. I personally connect with this story on many levels. It is an honor to be producing the first version of this classic masterpiece in CGI animation, and to share its truths in theaters in the USA and around the world,” Cleary continued.
“The Pilgrim’s Progress” CGI animated film will be in theaters around the country on April 18, 2019. Tickets for the movie are currently on for sale at the Fathom Events website.
Click here for a free Pilgrim’s Progress e-book featuring stills from the movie.
