In 1956, Bing Crosby launched most likely essentially the most timeless and in style rendition of the basic Christmas carol “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” However do you know that the lyrics for the track had been penned almost a century earlier than, throughout one of many darkest instances in American historical past?
American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote “Christmas Bells” in 1864 through the Civil Struggle. And the story of the tragic circumstances that led him to jot down the poem is the inspiration behind the movie “I Heard the Bells,” which begins streaming on Pure Flix beginning November 8.
“We found this lovely story that got here out of one of many nation’s darkest time intervals, which was the Civil Struggle, and it is a poem, and it is actually a diary entry concerning the protagonist, Henry Longfellow, and his entire journey of religion,” stated “I Heard the Bells” co-writer and director Josh Enck.
“And we thought there are lots of people who can relate to this man who had all of it, misplaced all of it, and had it come again once more and be redeemed by way of, on this case, the image of a bell ringing out extra loud and deep: God isn’t useless, nor does he sleep.”
Longfellow was one of the extensively recognized poets of the nineteenth century, however when his spouse died in a tragic fireplace in 1861, he struggled to seek out the phrases to jot down anymore. To make issues worse, his son, Charles, ran away to affix the Union military towards Longfellow’s needs in 1863. Charles was severely wounded in battle.
Damaged, alone, and drowning in grief, Longfellow wrestled with learn how to align his tragic circumstances along with his Christian religion. Fortunately, a well-recognized sound at Christmas reminded him of God’s grace and ultimately restored his hope—and religion.
“I feel as an actor, the power to battle is what everybody pertains to,” stated Stephen Atherhold, who performs Longfellow within the movie. “All of us have trials on this life. If you end up not keen to provide in. While you say, ‘I do know there may be hope on the opposite aspect,’ regardless that Henry could not see it. All of us lengthy for that. And to have the ability to discover that hope with him as a personality was a stupendous journey.”
Longfellow spent the subsequent few years placing his life again collectively, and the remainder of his years writing and translating different works. By the point he died in 1882, his phrases had a far-reaching influence, touching lives worldwide.
And that’s precisely what the movie “I Heard the Bells” aspires to do.
“The ultimate phrases of the track are peace on earth, good will to males. And people phrases aren’t authentic to Henry. They’re authentic to scripture. And they’re the explanation we rejoice Christmas, as a result of Christ actually did come to provide us peace on earth,” stated actress Rachel Day Hughes, who performs Longfellow’s spouse, Fanny, within the movie.
“So, if there may be anyone on the market that’s strolling by way of a narrative of grief this Christmas, it’s my hope that this movie evokes you as you watch Henry’s journey to reclaim the reality of these phrases over his life, that it evokes you to do the identical.”
“I Heard the Bells” is streaming on Nice American Pure Flix November 8. Mark your calendars get able to be full of hope this Christmas as this unbelievable story involves life!
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