Adventure in Jerusalem - Jesus and the animals

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Movie
German title Adventure in Jerusalem - Jesus and the animals
Original title At Jesus' Side
Country of production Canada
original language English
Publishing year 2008
length 82 minutes
Age rating FSK o. A.
Rod
Director William R. Kowalchuk Jr.
script Ken Reiner
production Valerie O'Conor
Ken Reiner
Patrick Wells
music Keith Heffner
Michael Lloyd
occupation

- Original voices from -

Adventure in Jerusalem - Jesus and the Animals (Original title: At Jesus' Side ) is an animated family film from 2008 by William R. Kowalchuk junior . Ken Reiner's script is based on a story by Valerie O'Conor. The main characters, the courageous street dog Jericho and the caring hedgehog lady Petra, are originally spoken by Lucas Grabeel and Roma Downey .

action

The street dog Jericho tells of how he goes on a journey to the Dead Sea with his friends, the hedgehog lady Petra, the belligerent chameleon Miguel and the great dane Ulysses , because they have heard that the salt water is good for Ulysses' old bones. Jericho also tells of how he came to hate people and avoid them wherever he can. Again and again he remembers fragments of things from his past, before Petra took care of him as an adoptive mother. They are bad memories.

On the way they come across a discarded baby dog, which they take care of. Petra names the puppy dim sum. When they are near Jerusalem , they see numerous believers there who visit the city on the occasion of the feast of Passover . When Jericho searches for suitable quarters to rest, he is again mistreated by some people and even by children who throw stones at him, injuring his paw. Then, however, a man appears who is called to Jesus and orders the children to stop. To the surprise of Jericho, he takes care of him in a loving way. In the hours that followed, Jericho had nightmares again. Because the animals sleep too long, they no longer manage to leave Jerusalem before the gates are closed. The bad thing is that the dog catcher Sykosus is in town, who ruthlessly traps dogs and even kills them when he sees fit. They can only escape it with great difficulty. Manuel plays an important role in her temporary rescue. But it is crucial that the dog Maya, who belongs to a Roman general and has a special status, helps them. That night Jericho sees clearly for the first time in his dream and realizes that it was Sykosus who has his mother on his conscience. He wants revenge. But first of all he visits the place where his family died and gives in to his grief when he comes across a small bell that his mother once carried. There he meets Jesus again and realizes that he is different from other people and able to comfort him. There are many rumors about Jesus in the city, he seems to have very special abilities.

When Jesus threatens, Jericho wants to help him. Jesus already knows what fate is in store for him. He has to die to redeem humanity. Before he is arrested, he asks Jericho to promise him not to hate anymore, because hatred and fear would ruin his life, only when he is free and learn to forgive will he be able to love.

While Jericho is talking to his friends about how one might still be able to help Jesus, the little dim sum falls for a trick that the dog catcher Sykosus performs with his dogs, and thus falls into the hands of the evil man. His friends are now doing everything they can to free the puppy from the dog catcher's hands. A plan is quickly forged, the implementation of which actually succeeds and the end of which is the liberation of Dim Sum, after not only Jericho had to work hard. The dog catcher falls into a deep well. Many of the city's animals have now joined Jericho and put the vicious dogs of Sycosus to flight.

The animals meet Jesus one last time, who tells them that his father had sent him into the world to save it, that he would die, but also be resurrected, even if they would cry, their pain would nevertheless be their joy at the same time. But now they have to go. Only Jericho remains with Jesus. When it is time for him to go too, Jesus asked him to keep love in his heart. Jericho is also at his side on his last journey, which Jesus has to cover with the cross on his back. Next to him, Barabbas and another man are crucified. When Jesus died, a mighty storm descended.

Remembering the words of Jesus, Jericho frees the dog-catcher from the well, who does not know what is happening to him or how to react. Jericho, however, turns back to his friends and especially Maya and another miracle happens, he meets the resurrected Jesus, who assures him that he must now continue his journey but will never forget him. Jericho explains that he learned that when one can forgive others, a space opens in the heart. This power comes from Jesus and he is sure that nothing, whatever he does, can change his love for him: "Love one another as I have loved you."

Production, background, publication

It's a production by God's Dream in collaboration with Tundra Productions.

The film is preceded by Psalm 36 : “Lord, your goodness reaches up to heaven. She saves people and animals alike. ”Theological advice was provided by Rev. David A. Olson, M.Div. and Daryl Aaron, D.Min., Ph.D. Special thanks go to Mike Wigley, without whose involvement this film would never have been made.

In the United States, the film was presented on October 26, 2008 at the Chicago International Children's Film Festival. It was released on April 30, 2014 with a German soundtrack on DVD, published by Gerth Medien (Best Entertainment).

criticism

In the Evangelisches Sonntagsblatt it was said: "Even the youngest discover new biblical perspectives through the little dog Jericho."

Even Christian films referred to this aspect and was of the opinion: "The main message of Christianity is by the way gives the children through this film, as they primarily pursue the exciting adventure around the dog Jericho."

At Buchklosterplatz one could read: “But Jesus shows his animal friends in a special way that it is important to forgive your enemies and never to lose hope. A heartwarming story for the whole family. "

Netzkino said : "A journey full of love and forgiveness, in the tradition of great Disney films like Susie and Trolch & Pinocchio."

The film magazine Filmdienst saw it completely differently, which characterized the film adaptation as a "leisurely, Bible-distant children's film that concentrates on rather stereotypical animal characters and gives Jesus only a minor part". It also said: "Solidly animated, it is neither particularly convincing as an introduction to Christian teaching nor as an introduction to the cinema."

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Adventure in Jerusalem - Jesus and the Animals DVD by Gerth Medien (Best Entertainment)
  2. ↑ Adventure in Jerusalem - Jesus and the animals at christliche-filme.blogspot.de. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  3. ↑ Adventure in Jerusalem - Jesus and the animals at buchklosterplatz.ch. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  4. ↑ Adventure in Jerusalem - Jesus and the Animals (2008) at netzkino.de (with full film)
  5. ↑ Adventure in Jerusalem - Jesus and the Animals at filmdienst.de