The King of Kings movie: Charles Dickens’ ‘secret’ story

Posted by Rusty Wright on April 13, 2025

By Rusty Wright

(This article first appeared on WashingtonExaminer.com)

Renowned storyteller Charles Dickens brought the world characters such as Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, David Copperfield, and Oliver Twist. He wrote a story for his own children that he read to them annually. He didn’t want it published, but it was published posthumously and now is the basis for a major motion picture.

The King of Kings movie tagline is “A Story Told by Charles Dickens,” and it features Dickens throughout. His fiction has captivated readers and theatergoers with A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, and more. He also wrote nonfiction, and this story uses real historical characters to explore some of his favorite themes, such as injustice, sacrifice, compassion, forgiveness, friendship, and redemption.

A tale of two kings

In the film, young Walter Dickens imagines himself as King Arthur leading the Knights of the Round Table, wielding a magic sword, keeping enemies at bay. Wanting to encourage the lad in noble pursuits but also to inject reality, his father (Charles) tells him the fascinating, dramatic saga of another king, the King of Kings.

The story is portrayed in three-dimensional animation. As I watched, I felt like a master storyteller had me inside the scenes, feeling the sunshine and seawater, tasting the bread and fish, hearing the crowd roar, cringing at the persecution, angry at the injustice, inspired by the hero’s compassionate heart. Generous use of humor holds attention. Dickens reveals to his son the story of Jesus of Nazareth’s life, with the two of them and Walter’s cat Willa inserted in the biblical action.

Walter wants Jesus to draw a sword to slay his adversaries. The King of Kings doesn’t need a magic sword, explains his father. Watching the film, one can imagine Dickens making the story so real to young Walter (a skeptic in the movie) and his siblings that they envision themselves actually being in Bethlehem at the manger, in the boat with Jesus’ followers, in the courtyard at his trial. When a boy offers his basket of a few loaves and fish to help feed a hungry crowd, young Walter imagines himself taking part.

A profound story

The profound nature of the King of Kings story is not lost on Dickens, for whom forgiveness is an essential concept. In the published version, titled The Life of Our Lord, he relates that one thief crucified beside Jesus asked him to remember him in eternity. Dickens notes Jesus’ response: “Today, thou shalt be with me in Paradise.”

“My dear children,” Dickens wrote, “I am very anxious that you should know something about the History of Jesus Christ. For everybody ought to know about Him.”

Prominent Hollywood stars voice several characters. Mark Hamill (Star Wars) is King Herod. Oscar® nominee Uma Thurman (Hysterical Blindness) is Catherine Dickens. Pierce Brosnan (James Bond, 007) is Pontius Pilate. Academy Award®-winners Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland) and Ben Kingsley (Ghandi) are Peter and High Priest Caiaphas, respectively. Oscar Isaac (Marvel’s Moon Knight) is Jesus.

Rated PG for some violence and tense situations inherent in the real story, it is appropriate for viewers of any faith or no faith. I suspect families will like it and that it will find a significant audience among children, who will identify with young Walter. Parents will find ideas on relating to their children from the Dickens spouses’ dialogue, verbal and facial cues, and family interaction.

Rated PG (USA) “for thematic material, violent content and some scary moments.”

https://www.angel.com/movies/king-of-kings

Opened in US theaters April 11 and on 5 continents April 10-11.

Rusty Wright is an author and lecturer who has spoken on six continents. He holds Bachelor of Science (psychology) and Master of Theology degrees from Duke and Oxford universities, respectively. www.RustyWright.com

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