I Heard the Bells

by Mike McGranaghan

I Heard the Bells is the first film from Sight & Sound. For those unfamiliar, it's a company that operates two theaters, one in Missouri and one in my home state of Pennsylvania. They're known for elaborate stage shows based on Biblical stories. I've never had the opportunity to see one live, but I can attest that they're incredibly popular around these parts. Moving to a cinematic format was an understandable way of expanding the brand, and using the life of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow as a means of pulling in an even wider audience seems like a smart choice. As one would expect, this is an elegantly-mounted production with significant appeal for people seeking an inspirational story of faith this, or any, holiday season.

When we meet Longfellow (Stephen Atherholt), he is already established as America's premier poet, thanks in part to his writings that condemn slavery. He has a crisis of faith after wife Fanny (Rachel Day Hughes) dies in an accident. Words are no longer of interest to him. His belief in God diminishes. The problem deepens when son Charlie (Jonathan Blair) goes against his wishes by signing up to fight in the Civil War. Having promised Fanny that he'd keep their boy out of combat, a layer of guilt is added to the grief he already feels.

The story is very much a “sink to the bottom and rise again” tale. Longfellow's refusal to write concerns his other children, as well as the people around him. Eventually, something happens that begins to restore his Christian faith and kickstart his creative juices. It culminates, as the title suggests, in the writing of his 1863 poem “Christmas Bells” that later inspired the classic yuletide song “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” The point of the film, made quite effectively, is that great inspiration often comes from an artist finding themselves at the lowest point in their lives. And from that, an idea emerges that no matter how bad things may be for you, clinging to your faith can help guide you to a better day.

As one would expect from a Sight & Sound work, I Heard the Bells looks beautiful. No expense was spared in bringing the time period to life. That authenticity helps to immerse you in the plot and, subsequently, allows the uplifting message to resonate loud and clear. Atherholt is very good as Longfellow, convincingly showing how the poet goes from happy, optimistic man, to depressed and discouraged widower, to someone who is revitalized both as a writer and as a human being. The manner in which the film traces his arc is uplifting. Unlike some faith-based films, viewers aren't beaten over the head with a didactic message. They can simply absorb the theme by watching how events unfold.

There's one area where the Sight & Sound style doesn't quite translate well to the big screen. On stage, actors have to exaggerate, both vocally and physically, in order to be understood across the theater. Film, where everything is magnified, requires the exact opposite. Many of the cast members here aim their performances toward the back row, so to speak, going bigger and broader than is necessary in front of a camera. Getting adjusted to that quality takes a few minutes. Director Joshua Enck additionally could have tightened the pace at times. Certain mundane actions carried out by the characters – letter writing, opening drawers, etc. – are lingered on too long. Trimming inconsequential material like that would have made the movie more consistently snappy.

In spite of those minor flaws, I Saw the Bells accomplishes exactly what it sets out to. The film is dramatically compelling, especially as it winds toward the big finale where Longfellow takes pen in hand again. There's a sincerity to the presentation that will make it resonate with faith crowds, but also hold appeal for Longfellow enthusiasts or folks coming merely for the holiday theme. Seeing where Sight & Sound goes from here will be interesting. Their debut film is a promising start to whatever they have in mind for moviegoers.

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