Charles Dickens Retells the Greatest Story Ever Told in “King of Kings”
Imagine Charles Dickens, the celebrated author, struggling to captivate a discerning audience with his rendition of “A Christmas Carol” on stage. However, the most critical member of the audience is waiting for his father backstage. Young Walter Dickens is completely absorbed in the legends of the Knights of the Round Table. Lost in his game as King Arthur, he doesn’t hesitate to interrupt the already faltering performance. The play is ruined, the writer is furious, and his son faces a well-deserved punishment. But then, his mother intervenes. She knows that Charles has a fresh manuscript ready, written specifically for their children. Why not tell the restless Walter a new story? Not just about a king, but about the King of Kings – Jesus Christ.
Still from the animated film “King of Kings”
A Star-Studded Production
“King of Kings” marks Chang Sung-ho’s directorial debut, but it’s far from his first venture into cinema. A leading South Korean expert in visual effects, Sung-ho has contributed to films like “Joint Security Area” and “The Island,” as well as English-language productions like “The Last Knights” and “Spartacus: Blood and Sand.” The voice cast is equally impressive, featuring A-list stars such as Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, Uma Thurman, Forest Whitaker, Kenneth Branagh, Oscar Isaac, and Mark Hamill. While the Russian dubbing may mask these voices, the sheer star power behind the project is reason enough to take notice.
Still from the animated film “King of Kings”
A Personal Retelling of a Timeless Tale
“The Life of Our Lord,” one of Charles Dickens’ lesser-known works, was originally written for his own children and not intended for publication. However, against his wishes, the book was published in 1934, revealing a deeply personal text infused with Dickensian humor. This is perhaps what sets “King of Kings” apart from other adaptations of biblical stories – a specific narrator now stands between the viewer and the universally known narrative. A brilliant writer who has “filtered” the events of the New Testament through his own experiences and worldview, retelling them to his most important audience.
Still from the animated film “King of Kings”
A Gentle Introduction to Faith
The story, told by a father to his son, justifies the simplicity of the narrative and imbues the film with warmth and sincerity. The viewer won’t witness blood flowing from an open wound, only to be miraculously healed. The repentant traitor Judas will attempt to return the unbearable payment for his betrayal, but the young audience doesn’t need to know the true end of his life. “King of Kings” smooths over even the most innocent edges and places unusual emphasis. This animated film serves as a child’s first introduction to the Bible, programming them for religiosity and reverence for God, as such works should. Later in life, the grown child can learn about the Passion of Christ and the intricacies of the Son of God’s sermons. For now, it’s enough to hear about the key events of the two-thousand-year-old story, primarily about miracles and how unwavering faith helps overcome any obstacle.
“King of Kings” is a retelling of the New Testament, presented as a personal parental story. It’s akin to reading a “Children’s Bible” together, allowing for precious time spent together while safely introducing a child to Christian truths. By identifying with one of the main characters, young Walter, the young viewer will easily engage with the religious dogmatism of the narrative. However, the animation itself seems less friendly to children. 3D has long been a staple in production processes, but unfortunately, it doesn’t always achieve visually pleasing results. To truly captivate and engage, a work should strive for excellence in both content and form. Nevertheless, the unwelcoming visuals may not matter much to those who intentionally choose to show “King of Kings” to their children. A person who stumbles upon the film will likely question its straightforwardness, triviality, and lack of interest, rather than being frightened by the unattractive appearance of the twelve apostles.