Rebecca Grace

AFA Journal staff writer

August 2008 – New version of classic enlightens, convicts
“We are all on the same journey. Are you on the right path?” Those are the haunting words at the end of Pilgrim’s Progress: Journey to Heaven, the recent DVD release from DRC Films. 

Pilgrim’s Progress: Journey to Heaven, written, directed and produced by Danny R. Carrales, is a modern film adaptation of John Bunyan’s classic tale The Pilgrim’s Progress, first published in 1678. Bunyan wrote the book while in jail. Since then, it has been read more than any other book except the Bible. 

It’s an allegory of a believer’s journey to heaven told through the life of a man named Christian. Along the way, Christian and his fellow travelers encounter obstacles, large and small, man-made and demon-spawned. 

“The Pilgrim’s Progress is a powerful novel that has inspired generations for over 300 years,” Carrales said. “Since the book has influenced many of our Christian leaders, I felt it was a project that needed to be produced for today’s audience.”

Carrales didn’t take lightly the task of turning this beloved novel into a respectable film. 

“I stayed so close to the book that a writing friend criticized me for doing nothing more than ‘creative typing,’” Carrales admitted. “He was right, but I felt that strongly about [it].” 

After all, Carrales explained that in filmmaking the most important aspect of any movie is a good script. No doubt he had a proven story. The challenge was translating Bunyan’s Old English into modern-day English without distorting the original meaning of the story.  

Because of time and financial constraints, he eventually was forced to omit some of the book’s scenes. Carrales also took a few dramatic liberties in the film, but none alter Bunyan’s message.

Pilgrim’s Progress: Journey to Heaven was made on what began as a modest budget. However as the the production progressed, costs quickly soared. 

“I spent almost double what I had anticipated in production and post-production. Everything that God has placed in my hands – from my bank account to my home – is on the line,” he said. 

In the process, Carrales himself has become the pilgrim on a journey to make this movie. “The Christian walk is not always an easy one,” the director said, “but God uses our trials to make us stronger for the journey.” 

Just prior to the DVD’s June 30 wide release date, Carrales reported that the movie has been extremely well received. He said, “I’m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.”

In the midst of challenges, Carrales’ intentions for the movie remain Gospel-centered. “It is my prayer that viewers will want to love the Lord our God with all their strength, mind and soul after watching Pilgrim’s Progress: Journey to Heaven,” he said. “[And it is] my prayer that God will use … [the movie] for His glory.”  

REVIEW
Pilgrim’s Progress: Journey to Heaven is a movie likely to prick the viewer’s heart. The film brings John Bunyan’s Christian classic to life in an understandable and engaging way. 

It’s not a typical evangelistic movie that presents the sinner’s prayer and encourages viewers to pray it. Instead Pilgrim’s Progress: Journey to Heaven portrays the reality of sin and the grace of the Gospel in the life of a man named Christian. Like the book, the focus is the necessity of the Gospel of God’s grace.

The message far outshines the production, so don’t expect big-budget Hollywood effects.  

The film is not rated. It is intense and contains some battle action violence and death, references to and images of hell as well as some demonic characters that could frighten young children. Alcohol consumption and lust are minor inclusions in the film as is the use of the word “freak.”

To show the film at church or in a public setting, a site license is required because of DVD copyright legalities and in order to support the Christian filmmaking community. A site license allows for unlimited showings of the film within a one-year period.

To obtain a site license for Pilgrim’s Progress: Journey to Heaven or for more information, visit www.pilgrimsprogressthemovie.com.