Pilgrim's Progress

In today's generation, film making has often been accused of straying from storytelling to cash grabbing. Some critics feel that high-budget, flashy effects are not what make a movie great, but simply the heart of the story. If this is what catches your attention, the 1989 film: Pilgrim's Progress will surely live up to your expectations.

Ken Anderson's film version of the famous book, also called The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan, is a Cristian allegory covering the trials and temptations of Pilgrim, a man who's learned that he's doomed to be destroyed in his current state. His journey to the Celestial City is illustrated with characters and environments that represent the various difficulties that a person following this life path might encounter.

Since these elements each represent a single part of his life, they are used up in quick succession, which makes them hard to really understand and relate to. I never got to learn what they were about, excluding their characteristic names. This was the mistake I made when watching this film, trying to understand these sections, because the truth is, they are not meant to be viewed as individuals. They are quite literally supposed to feel like "cogs in a machine", guiding Pilgrim through his journey. If you find it hard to appreciate this, consider the fact that every main character, aside from Pilgrim and his companions, is portrayed as either strictly good or evil, with a single actor for each. What the filmmaker is trying to tell you is that there are always two forces, pushing and pulling on Pilgrim. In the real world, these forces would be spread out to many people, but not here. It's a simple idea conveyed in different aspects.

In terms of film quality, Pilgrim's Progress unfortunately fails to convey emotion or intensity. Some people try to pin this on the vast amount of material needed to be covered in such a short time, or the novelty of film tech at the time, but it unavoidably falls into amateur direction and writing. The dialogue is very boring and unnatural, and the filming underdeveloped. It's another movie doomed to be eternally compared to the masterpiece of its original book. I really hate to lean on the book so much, but it's necessary to point out that this was an action-packed story, amazingly illustrating the Christian's journey. The movie feels more like an annoying hike through the wilderness, with the devil desperately trying to stop Pilgrim from achieving something that we never truly get to understand the importance of. It's slow paced, which many people will find dispiriting. The entire minute long end fight with Apollyon has no music and so dark it's extremely hard to see what's happening.

On the other hand, the film carries a good message throughout. The way Pilgrim relies on outside help at most steps of the way shows that a Christian's walk is never accomplished solo. Small details, perhaps carried from the book, also enhance the story, like how the echoing voices change tone after Pilgrim's burden is released and his view of God reformatted. The symbolic elements are usually easy to pick up on and understand.

Pilgrim's Progress is a film with strong religious themes but struggles in its execution. The allegorical elements and symbolic details from the original book are present but are not effectively conveyed. The film is slow-paced and lacks emotional intensity, making for a lackluster viewing experience. While the message about the importance of relying on God and outside help is beautiful, it is masked in this film adaptation. Ultimately, those looking for a high-quality cinematic experience may want to look elsewhere, but those in search of a leisurely afternoon activity to learn character growth and mental fortitude from, should consider checking out Pilgrim's Progress.

The cast listing on this picture is incorrect. Peter Thomas is not Worldly Wiseman, he is Pilgrim/Christian. Liam Neeson is both Jesus Christ and Evangelist (his first film experience, and Ken & Max Anderson were a geniuses at talent-scouting). Liam was also in "Christiana", the sequel ("Christiana's Progress" was also Bunyan's sequel to "Pilgrim's Progress"). I believe Maurice O'Callaghan was Worldly Wiseman, who was also Apollyon in Christiana, where Peter Thomas was Pilgrim again and Liam Neeson was Greatheart. Peter is the son of the great Christian preacher/teacher Major Ian Thomas, who wrote "The Indwelling Life of Christ", and founded the Capernwray Schools and Lodges, and began the Torchbearer ministry in churches. Peter is now the National Director and Principal of Capernwray New Zealand (http://www.capernwray.org.nz/AnnouncementRetrieve.aspx?ID=38817) which is a great school, and an all-around great guy, just like his father was.

This has to be one of the worst films ever made. I just finished watching this film in literature class after studying the book. How they were ever able to get this film from such a great book is well beyond me. The acting is abysmal, the direction poor, and the writing is some of the worst I have ever heard. The way the devil just pops in and out of scenes is very much like a power rangers episode. The dialogue between the characters is laughable. A lot of the characters seem flamboyantly homosexual when they're not supposed to be. Not even Liam Neeson saves this film from the dustbin. Don't w.a.s.t.e. your time with the movie, read the book instead.

Just learned of the book Pilgrim's Progress last year and searched to find this movie after reading the book.

. Although not exactly like John Bunyans story I liked it. It isn't often one can find a wholesome and Bible focused movie ( yes, I realize this version is 1978, but it's the essence of the story I was looking for...the walk of any Christian with their mistakes and a forgiving Saviour and eventually success).

A question, in the frame in the Interpretors house there is a picture with a man with his back to the world, where Pilgrim asks "what is the meaning of this picture"...I'm wondering, does anyone know the name of the picture and the artist?

This movie has been a real life-changer, articulately written and directed amazingly which has contributed all the more to its wonderful script! For those of you who know John Bunyan would truly know the value of this novel he wrote and all the pain he put into beautifully upbraiding the gist of the whole story. Though this movie's just a part of the whole book and left many parts untouched, it has truly proved the point. To those you who really applaud Christian-based epics and so forth, The Pilgrim's Progress would indeed be of a great help in knowing more about the inherent truths about the like to a great depth.

I give it a 10/10 for the script and the performance of all the actors in this wonderful journey!!! Don't MISS IT!!