Walter Dickens is obsessed with King Arthur.
He swishes his wooden sword around as he proclaims himself to be that king. He and his cat knock over an unfinished manuscript, written by his father, Charles.
Then he swings from the backstage rope of a stage.
That swinging rope carries the spirited lad right out in front of the audience whom Charles has been busily telling the climax of A Christmas Carol.
Embarrassed, Charles rushes Walter backstage and scolds him for his rambunctious behavior. The boy, crushed, slinks back home, feeling less like King Arthur and a bit more like Tiny Tim. And before following her son home, Charles’ wife, Catherine, picks up the scattered pages of the manuscript. Reading them, she gets an idea.
When Charles finishes his performance and heads home, Catherine suggests Charles mend his relationship with Walter by reading the manuscript to him. After all, Charles has been specifically writing it for the kids.
It isn’t hard to get Walter interested—this story is also about a king. In fact, it’s the very King upon which King Arthur is based.
It’s the story of Jesus, the King of Kings.
Walter quickly becomes emotionally invested in Jesus’ life, so much so that he is imaginatively transported into the narrative his father gives. Young Walter watches the events of Jesus as they occur around the boy, and he cries out when he sees injustice. When soldiers come to slay children at Herod’s order, for instance, he attempts to stop them.
As Charles tells Walter about the life of Jesus, we see that Walter isn’t the only one it’s affecting. Charles begins to recognize that he’s engaged in a few inappropriate outbursts of anger, and it’s evident he feels embarrassment for them. And by the time the story ends, the writer removes a “Do Not Disturb” sign from his study so his children (and a very rambunctious cat) can spend more time with him.
It should also be noted that Charles often pauses to explain certain things that he feels might be too complicated for Walter to immediately understand.
The film recounts many of the events in Jesus’ life and often directly quotes passages of Scripture.
It begins with Joseph and Mary, searching for a place to stay in Bethlehem due to the decree of Caesar Augustus. We see the wise men, Herod’s hunt for Christ and Jesus teaching others at age 12. We John the Baptist calling for everyone around him to repent.
We also witness Jesus being baptized, His temptation in the desert, His calling of the disciples and many of His healings. Later, the movie depicts the feeding of the 5000, Jesus allowing Peter to walk on water, Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Jesus flips over the tables at the Temple, and He institutes the Last Supper. We watch as He suffers in anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane. And, of course, Jesus is tried, crucified, buried and resurrected from the dead.
In no uncertain terms, Jesus tells Walter that if he has faith in Him, the boy will be saved.
We also hear the Passover narrative and the story of the Fall of man. Mary anoints Jesus at Bethany. The Pharisees discuss how to get rid of Jesus. Judas betrays Jesus.
A dust storm sent by God protects Joseph and Mary from the soldiers who seek to kill baby Jesus. Angels appear as flashing lights. When Satan tempts Jesus, he causes dust storms to occur.
As Walter sees Jesus die, we watch as Walter begins to sink deep into water, unable to swim back up. However, we then see Jesus grab the boy from above and swap places with him, sending the boy back up to the surface as Jesus descends into the depths. As Walter watches Jesus sink away, he sees a depiction of the cross sink, too, reflecting how Jesus is the substitutionary sacrifice for our sins, taking the wrath of God upon Himself in our place while bestowing His righteousness upon us. Jesus emerges from the grave and comforts Walter, and Charles tells his son, “We’re alive again because He is risen.”
Occasionally, Jesus turns into Charles Dickens, probably reflecting how Charles is telling the story to his son—but one could also take the idea as reflecting how Christians are meant to become more like Christ as we grow in our sanctification (2 Cor. 3:18).
Because of the modern English vernacular used in this movie, some of the biblical passages we hear in the film may sound a bit different from their original meaning. While the vast majority and overall point of the film stays true to biblical theology, a couple moments might spark a good theological debate on a quote’s accuracy.
For one example, Jesus quotes Mark 10:45, but instead of saying, “to give [my life] as a ransom for many,” he says “to give my one life for the benefit of multitudes,” which, while similar, does remove the pivotal word “ransom” used to describe the true purpose of Jesus’ death.
We’re told the story of the woman caught in adultery (John 7:53-8:11). When describing the Fall of man, we see a couple discreet images of a naked Adam and Eve, covered from our view by nearby foliage and brush.
Jesus is flogged and forced to wear the crown of thorns. And while there’s no blood, we see red lines indicating scratches. During the Crucifixion, the camera looks away as they nail Jesus to the cross, though we do see Him be lifted up alongside the two criminals before his death.
The story touches on Herod’s command that soldiers slay babies under the age of two. We don’t see them actually commit the act, but they do attempt to break down a door to get to Joseph, Mary and Jesus.
Peter cuts off a man’s ear, though Jesus heals it soon after. In a retelling of the events of Exodus, we see a man being whipped. Someone gets hit in the head by a wicker basket.
None.
Nothing – we don’t even see Jesus turn water into wine.
None.
My dear children, I am very anxious that you should know something about the history of Jesus Christ. For everybody ought to know about Him. No one ever lived, who was so good, so kind, so gentle, and so sorry for all people who did wrong, or were in any way ill or miserable, as He was. He is now in Heaven, where we hope to go, and all to meet each other after we are dead, and there be happy always together.
So writes Charles Dickens in his work, The Life of Our Lord.
This account of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection was read in his household every Christmas. It continued to be read each year long after his death by his son to his own children. Eventually, the family chose to publish the work and share it with the rest of the world, too.
The King of Kings recounts that story. And in this animated rendition of it, featuring a surprising number of famous actors, we hear the gospel quite clearly: Repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved from the just wrath of God for your sins.
Sure, there are a few moments when modern speech causes some verses to sound somewhat different than their original meanings (listed at the bottom of our Spiritual Elements section), but they’re moments that well-versed parents can easily navigate and correct if needed.
And perhaps, as it did Walter, the film’s story could be the thing that could pique your child’s interest in the One who saves and holds all things together. And, just as Dickens did with this story, you may be able to come alongside your kids to teach them biblical truths, too.
Kennedy Unthank studied journalism at the University of Missouri. He knew he wanted to write for a living when he won a contest for “best fantasy story” while in the 4th grade. What he didn’t know at the time, however, was that he was the only person to submit a story. Regardless, the seed was planted. Kennedy collects and plays board games in his free time, and he loves to talk about biblical apologetics. He’s also an avid cook. He thinks the ending of Lost “wasn’t that bad.”
