Gloucester Movies

I Heard the Bells

I Heard the Bells

Score: 9.29 / 10

Director: Joshua Enck
Producer: Joshua Enck
Studio: Sight & Sound Films
Starring: Stephen Atherholt, Jonathan Blair, Rachel Day Hughes
Running Time: 110 minutes

Write a Review


I Heard the Bells movie reviews

  • 10

    I Heard the Bells

    Tuesday, January 10, 2023 12:05:13 AM | (Age Not Specified)

    I loved that Hollywood stayed out of it it was such a beautifully family movie wish there were more like it

  • 10

    I Heard the Bells

    Wednesday, January 4, 2023 11:39:20 AM | (Age Not Specified)

    I wasn’t sure about viewing this movie but after doing so found myself transfixed by the force of its inspiring true story and awed by the circumstances surrounding creation of the beloved Christmas carol written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

  • 10

    I Heard the Bells

    Saturday, December 31, 2022 6:57:16 AM | (Age Not Specified)

    GREAT MOVIE IN EVERY WAY. WE WISH THERE WAS MORE MEANINGFUL MOVIES THAT A FAMILY CAN ENJOY.

  • 9

    I Heard the Bells

    Friday, December 23, 2022 6:40:57 PM | (Age Not Specified)

    I do not go to many movies, but I am glad I saw this one. It is a good movie that I recommend to you this Christmas season. I Heard the Bells tells the story of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882), an American poet that rose to national prominence before the Civil War. The movie tells the story of his life just before and during the war, plus a brief scene years later. Its focus is his poem, written in 1863, the year of bloody battles at Chancellorsville, Vicksburg, Gettysburg, Chickamauga, and Chattanooga. Much later, it was put to music as the Christmas carol we hear and sing today. Before going to the movie, I knew little about Longfellow. Afterwards, I looked into him a bit, and it appears that the movie was quite faithful to his life and events through the time covered. Not knowing about him, the opening scenes seemed a bit overdone to me, but I now accept them as a reflection of Longfellow's wealth and esteemed place in Massachusetts society. Christian movies have a reputation for poor quality, but I Heard the Bells was, to my eye, well done. The Longfellow household is shown as a place where faith in Christ is both real and important in life, but it does not sugarcoat the tragedies of this sinful world. Reality in this life is well-expressed by Longfellow's words in an opening scene: “Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and oftentimes we call a man cold when he is only sad.” Unusually, the final movie credits were followed by information on its production by Sight & Sound Films, which has been making Christian films and other products since 1976. I never heard of any of them, but based on I Heard the Bells, I left the theater hoping the movie is a box office success, giving the company resources for future movies. Otherwise, I was pleased to leave behind the other shows, with their godless stories of this or that. Ugh.

  • 9

    I Heard the Bells

    Thursday, December 22, 2022 3:27:30 PM | (Age Not Specified)

    True story of Henry Longfellow’s work as a poet. Great movie to watch for Christmas.

  • 10

    I Heard the Bells

    Monday, December 19, 2022 6:35:34 AM | (Age Not Specified)

    What a masterpiece! Poignant portrayals and compelling storytelling. Thoroughly got caught up in this inspirational period piece brought to life and the big screen. So glad I went and experienced it! Look forward to more from Sight & Sound!

  • 10

    I Heard the Bells

    Wednesday, December 14, 2022 8:35:20 AM | (Age Not Specified)

    So refreshing to see a Christian based movie in our theaters...please do not miss this wonderful movie. A true story and perfect for this time of the year!!

  • 9

    I Heard the Bells

    Tuesday, December 13, 2022 9:07:41 PM | (Age Not Specified)

    Thank you for showing this tremendous movie in our little town. It has such a message that God is not dead and there is hope when things go wrong and our plans are crushed. God loves us and will save us😇

  • 9

    I Heard the Bells

    Sunday, December 11, 2022 7:17:59 PM | (Age Not Specified)

    I enjoyed the authentic, believeable depiction of this movie! When I saw the trailer, it looked good BUT when I SAW THE MOVIE, I was awed! The love, tragedy & healing in this movie was so inspiring! I want this one on DVD!!! Nothing like seeing it on the BIG SCREEN!!! It is the story behind the making of this song, I Heard the Bells! Excellent!!! A must see!

  • 4

    I Heard the Bells

    Sunday, December 11, 2022 2:05:27 PM | (Age Not Specified)

    Very slow. Probably better viewed at home on Masterpiece Theater on television.