Approved for 12+

Torchlighters: The John Bunyan Story

John Bunyan spends his days in prison, separated from his wife and children. Living in the cold, stone cell is the price he pays for going against the established state religion. If only he would agree to stop preaching, John could walk out a free man! Why does he choose to stay in jail, and how will he serve his Lord in this wretched place? Find out in this episode of The Torchlighters.
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Negative Rating
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Positive Rating
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Dove Review

“The John Bunyan Story” is the account of the man who gave us “Pilgrim’s Progress” and who refused to stop preaching Christ even if it meant going to prison. Which it did!

This interesting animated feature starts off with a scene of Pilgrim standing up to the dragon in “Pilgrim’s Progress,” but then it transports us to the story of the book’s author, John Bunyan. The year is 1676 and John Bunyan is in prison in Bedford, England. He tells a fellow inmate his story about how he started out as a mischievous boy who got into fights and gave his parents fits. One person who knew him said, “If not for people like John, the devil would have no company in Hell.” Yet John was about to meet the Lord. Though he reads the Bible, attends church, and is married, he is told by a pastor he needs to lay down his burdens. He finally and truly becomes acquainted with Jesus and says the light penetrated his heart.

God calls him to preach and he refuses to stop even when a magistrate sends out an arrest warrant for him. He finds himself in jail, but not for the last time. He is released on a few occasions but seems to always return. While in prison he writes “Pilgrim’s Progress,” the best-selling book that has influenced many readers. He tells the printer when he takes it to him that it is of “little importance.”

This wonderful film is awarded our “Faith-Friendly” Seal for ages twelve plus. It demonstrates the faith of a man who kept on doing what he believed in, even when put in jail. Watch this amazing feature and learn about the many dragons that Bunyan slew.

Dove Rating Details

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Faith

None

0
Integrity

People are shot and killed in a war; cannons shot; blood seen on man's hands; dragon hits man with its tail; man strikes dragon in chest with sword; fight between boys and one has a black eye.

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Sex

None

1
Language

H (as a Biblical place)-6; "fool" (man calls himself)-1; shut up-1; it's said a boy cursed but what he said is not heard or mentioned.

2
Violence

People are shot and killed in a war; cannons shot; blood seen on man's hands; dragon hits man with its tail; man strikes dragon in chest with sword; fight between boys and one has a black eye.

0
Drugs

None

0
Nudity

None

2
Other

Man is falsely imprisoned; rats seen outside of cell; man is persecuted; father grabs his disobedient son by the ear and tells him to do his chores or a whip will be applied to his back; man has a nightmare; it's said thousands died of a plague in Bedford.

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