Pilgrim's Progress

5.3
1978 1 hr 12 min Adventure , Drama

Journey with Pilgrim, as John Bunyan's famous allegory leaps from its pages to a movie. You'll experience the Slough of Despond, Hill of Difficulty, Vanity Fair, Meet Pliable, Mr Obstinate, Worldly Wiseman, Evangelist, Mr Interpreter, and Pilgrim's constant foe, Apollyon. Follow Pilgrim to the cross, and ultimately to the Celestial City. A powerful visualization of the Christian life.

  • Cast:
    Liam Neeson

Reviews

Baseshment
1978/04/05

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

... more
Brainsbell
1978/04/06

The story-telling is good with flashbacks.The film is both funny and heartbreaking. You smile in a scene and get a soulcrushing revelation in the next.

... more
Tayloriona
1978/04/07

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

... more
Caryl
1978/04/08

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

... more
ed-755
1978/04/09

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.

... more
deacon_blues-3
1978/04/10

I think that most of the other commentaries on this film are more concerned with PP as allegory and literature. What they fail to take into account is that this film, by contrast, is primarily concerned with taking the reality behind the allegory seriously. In this, it follows Bunyan himself, who would have been horrified by the prospect of literature students studying his little book as mere literature, when he himself was motivated by the same zeal that also motivated the makers of this film, namely, to save souls from hell! The film is narrated by George Beverly Shea (Dr. Billy Graham's favorite baritone vocalist). Ken Anderson Films is a shamelessly evangelical Christian ministry. I myself first saw this film (and Liam Neeson as well) at a Baptist Church movie night. I was much impressed by both the spiritual content of the story and the arresting screen presence of Neeson, whom anyone could see was headed for stardom. Granting that the production is extremely low-budget, and the acting is quite amateurish at best (except for Neeson, of course). The film is faithful to the message of the book, although condensed into a very abridged format. I applaud the filmmakers for keeping their dramatic devices simple and unsophisticated, as Bunyan himself would have approved. Their point was always the universal plight of the sinful human soul, and it's salvation through the Word of God and the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, not artfully reproducing each minute literary detail of Bunyan's allegory. My candid advice to the other commentators on this film: please be gracious enough to allow real Christians who care about the true purpose of Bunyan's book to use it as it was intended without harsh criticism. PP is not mere literature, it's only worth is in service to the gospel of the living Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. When you study it as mere literature, you do it and John Bunyan's memory a great disservice, as he would tell you himself if he were here.

... more
dentonsfarm
1978/04/11

The Pilgrim's Progress is the greates English Alegory and one of the greatest works in the English Language. Why could they / did they not strive to make this film stand up to par with Bunyan's classic masterpiece. Just because the film was obviously low budget doesn't mean they have to have low imagination also. But, it was a Ken Anderson Production and that means don't watch it if you you want to live to see the next day. True, Liam Nesson is in it. As a matter of fact this was his first movie debut. Take in mind, that I love The Pilgrim's Progress, and I believe that it can undoubtedly be made into an awesome movie, but I would advise anyone, "Stay away from this version."

... more
bubbles_horwitz
1978/04/12

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.

... more

Watch Free Now