Red Letters over the Red Blood?

I have just begun to read Red Letters: Living a Faith that Bleeds by Tom Davis, president of Children’s HopeChest. I’ll confess that I’ve only read the introduction so far, but I have a few thoughts that should be communicated regarding the premise with which he opens the book: the letters in red (Jesus’ words) point to the red blood (His sacrifice) and, apart from the cross, you have an empty Gospel. What I mean to refer to is this statement from the introduction:

The only gospel worth living is the one that incarnates love. The only gospel worth giving our lives for is the one that elevates the needs of others above our own. that’s what the “good news” is all about (Davis 14).

The reality is, Mr. Davis, that while the Gospel inevitably has social consequences and that all believers are called to fulfill the royal law (James 2) to love our neighbors as ourselves, the social dimensions are not the gospel. The Gospel is the message of redemption: Jesus Christ and Him crucified, for the redemption of all creation, to redeem it from sin and death. In the cross - and only in the cross - can change come to a broken, fallen humanity that is groaning under the groaning and burdening of sin. We must minister to the oppressed, the orphan and widow of our age, and we are obligated to show them Christ in our actions, to redeem their lives, but that is because of the Gospel, not because it is the Gospel. So, I urge you all, brothers and sisters, to focus yourselves on the cross, and then go - bring whoever you can outside the gate to the Cross of Christ - just be sure you equip them for the journey (James 2).

More to come as I continue to read…

Never

Never shall I forget those flames which consumed my faith forever.  Never shall I forget that nocturnal silence which deprived me, for all eternity, of the desire to live.  Never shall I forget those moments which murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to dust.  Never shall I forget these things, even if I am condemned to live as long as God Himself.  Never." (Wiesel, 44)

Review: How the Bible Was Built

How the Bible Was Built
Authors: Charles Merrill Smith and James W. Bennett
Length: 97 pages
Age Category: 12+
Genre: Non-fiction
Published: 2005 by Wm. B. Eerdman’s Publishing Co.
Score: 2 Stars

“When the members of a family build a house, they first talk about it.” So begins How the Bible Was Built in its attempt to explain how the Christian Bible came to be. Unfortunately for the authors, they failed miserably. Of course, many do wonder and question how the Christian canon came to include a 39-book Old Testament and a 27-book New Testament. Many young believers just assume, not in reality, but in mindset that God said “Let there be my Book” and it was so. Of course, it’s flat out foolishness - something that the most conservative pastor would laugh at. While liberals are set on the documentary hypothesis (which you can read about that in my article at Regeneration Our Culture) and the “Q Theory” (which states that the Four Gospels - or at least Matthew, Mark, and Luke, had an unknown source before they were written), the orthodox Christian position has always held that the Bible we have received is exactly as it was given to the prophets and apostles (A prophet being anyone before Christ who was filled with the Holy Spirit and apostles being those who were direct disciples of Christ).

This book, although published by a nominally conservative company (Eerdman’s has been in the business of supplying Christians with solid, Biblical material for a long time), this book is, surprisingly, more on the liberal side of things in terms of the Scriptures. True, the authors do not take a stance on interpretation but they have been so deluded as to think that contemporary scholarship has the weight of the evidence in favor of these ideas that basically state that the Old Testament was originally oral tradition that was written hundreds or thousands of years after its “supposed” author’s lifetime. They even go so far as to say that 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus were not even written by the Apostle Paul!

Aside from its lack of Christian orthodoxy in terms of the reception and authorship of the Scriptures, the book is also written very simplistically - meaning, unfortunately, that the sentences are abrubt, simple, and very little of the literary necessities like sentence variation, creativity, and flowing style that go so far to make a book interesting. The irony of the fact is that Mr. Bennett states in the introduction that he had done those with the manuscripts.

Now, I’m not saying that these author’s are necessarily heretics or anything of that sort. I am not condemning them so much as I am condemning their work (Mr. Smith, in fact, is deceased - a reality that existed before Mr. Bennett’s comilation and edit). However, I cannot, in good faith, recommend How the Bible Was Built as an authoritative, trustworthy source for Christians. Those who are strong in their faith may benefit from reading this as they will have an uncomplicated glance at the typical liberal position, but that is, really, the only value to be obtained.

Review: Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt

Review: Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt
Author: Anne Rice
Length: 322 pages (including Author’s Note)
Age Category: 14+
Genre: Christian Historical
Published: November 2005 by Alfred A. Knopf Co.
Score: Five Stars

“I was seven years old. What do you know when you’re seven years old?” [1] With these first sentences, Mrs. Anne Rice catapults the reader back to the first century A.D. and brings the ancient Middle East to life. The childhood of the world’s most influential figure takes on flesh and blood in a most convincing way through this uncharacteristically accurate novel. Thsi work of fiction, “based on the gospels and on the most respected New Testatment scholarship,” is compelling, interesting, and portrays the early years of Jesus Christ with Christian reverence and a deep devotion to God. [2]

Writing
Anne Rice is no amateur writer. Having authored numerous books, including two dramatic trilogies to what I believe to be the crowning achievment of her writing career. Her three decades of experience have prepared her for every aspect that this project involved. One, it taught her how to research properly and thoroughly. In any historical novel, good research is the key and to do research on this scale would have been a daunting task - even to an experienced author such as Mrs. Rice.

The second key skill gained is her abilit to make her own questions, her own inquiries, come alive through her writing. As she stated in the Author’s Note at the end of Christ the Lord, “I stumbled upon a mystery without a solution, a mystery so immense that I gave up trying to find an explanation because the whole mystery defied belief. The mystery was the survival of the Jews. [...] I decided that I would give myself utterly to the task of trying to understand Jesus himself…” [3]

Thirdly, she gained the ability to express the characters and the facts in a believable, as well as remarkable way. In Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt, Jesus is portrayed with such realism and humanity that the reader is in awe from the beginning. His struggles, His questions, and His childlike innocence are but a demonstration of her ability to breathe life into the childhood of Jesus of Nazareth. She aptly does the same thing with characters like Joseph, Mary, James (his brother, portrayed as an elder step-brother in Christ the Lord), and even John the Baptist. The caretful precision of each written word, the well-developed plot, and the pwer of the diction throughout the book only serve to justify Anne Rice’s skills as a writer.

History
The depth and historical accuracy of Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt is one of its obvious strengths. Mrs. Rice wen to great lengths to ensure that her work was not only historically accurate, but also historically involved. Through the eyes of the child Jesus, the reader receives a detailed look at ancient Alexandria, the glories of Jerusalem before its fall and the small town of Nazareth in the shadow of Sepphoris.

She correctly and astutely identifies the social, political, and religious atmosphere of the area between Alexandria and Sepphoris, almost exclusively among the Jews. In Alexandria, for instance, there is a greater attitude of affluence - especially where the Romans and the Scriptures are concerned. As these words from the characters in the book demonstrate:

“No, and it’s Greek that you’re teaching them, Scripture in Greek!” said Alphaeus. “And we teach them here at home in Hebrew because you don’t even know Hebrew and you are the Teacher, and this is what the House of Study is here, Greek. [...] Jerusalem does not speak Greek!” [4]

This reveals an important fact of the time to the reader: the tension between Hellenized and traditional, Hebraic Jews. This also sets the stage for the Jerusalem conflicts between the conservative Pharisees and affluent Sadducees. Mrs. Rice has relied heavily on some of the best in New Testament scholarship - including Bishop N.T. Wright. In an interview with Christian talk show show and entrepreneur, Jerry Bowyer, Mrs. Rice states:

I did read quite a bit. I read as much as I possibly could and I’m continuing to read as I go on with the story [is that a suggestion of a sequel?] and I know I’ll be reading N.T. Wright until I die. I mean, N.T. Wright has produced these magnificent books of New Testament scholarship and he is, I think, one of the greatest scholars, if not the greatest scholar because of his great joy in his faith. [5]

She has brough the civil unrest - caused by revolutionary brigands and Zealots - to life through the terrified eyes of the child Jesus. Another observation, made by Mr. Jerry Boywer is this:

One of the things that really struck me about your novel is the Jewishness of Jesus, the Hebraism of his character, because it doesn’t often show up. I mean, people have written historical novels - Ben-Hur, Quo Vadis. I mean, you’ve read these. But I’m not sure that anybody I’ve read so far, other than scholars - and none of them are fiction writers - has quite made clear that we’re reading about, among many other things, the formation of a Rabbi. [6]

This is a very apt observation and, as Mr. Bowyet notes, this vital historic fact is too often overlooked - but Anne Rice has done her research and does not make that mistake.

Christian Content
One question that will concern many readers will always be: “Is the Jesus that Anne Rice presents in Christ the Lord Biblically sound?” My answer is a strong affirmative. Although much of the content is, indeed, fictional, virtually none of it falls outside of Biblical parameters. This fact impressed me beyond any other aspect of the book. After all, finding an interesting and a solid portrayal of the child Jesus is not something you will find on the bookshelf every day.

One of the more interesting characteristics is the acute lack of omniscience and awareness in Jesus. The child does not truly realize His identity all throughout the book and only begins to discover it later - as He is slowly let in on the “family secret.” Some Christians might object to this saying that Mrs. Rice “limits” the Deity of Christ. She has, however, made the case based on the writings of the Apostle Paul and Augustine - more particularly in Paul’s statement that Christ “emptied” Himself when He took on flesh. It’s still Christian orthodoxy, no less.

One other issue is one that Mrs. Rice herself addresses:

Then there were the legends - the Apocrypha - including the tantalizing tales in the Infancy Gospel of Thomas describing a boy Jesus who could strike a child dead, bring another to life, turn clay birds into living creatures and perform other miracles [...] They were fanciful, some of them humorous, extreme to be sure, but they had lived on into the Middle Ages, and beyond. I couldn’t get these legends out of my mind.

Ultimately, I chose to embrace this material, to enclose it within the canonical framwork as best I could. I felt there was a deep truth in it, and I wanted to preserve that truth as it spoke to me. If course that is an assumption But I made it. And perhaps in assuming that Jesus did manifest supernatural powers at an early age I am somehow being trut to the declaration of the Council of Chalcedon, that Jesus was God and Man at all times. [7]

A controversial choice? Certainly, but Mrs. Rice did not abuse it or make it the focus of the story. In fact, they merely contributed to the overall magnificence of the Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt.

Conclusion
In short, the quality of the writing, the accuracy of its historical context, and the intent reverence for the Gospel-based identity of Jesus make Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt a worthy book to read. Anne Rice, an indisputably qualified author, has given the Church a great work to read - to place on the shelf beside Ben-Hur and Quo Vadis. The question remains: is this the book for you? I’ll let Mrs. Rice answer that one:
This is a book I offer to all Christians - to the fundamentalists, to the Roman Catholics, to the most liberal Christians in the hope that my embrace of more conservative doctrines will have some coherence for them in the here and now of the book. I offer it to the scholars in the hope that they will perhaps enjoy seeing the evidence of the research that’s gone into it, and of course, I offer it to those whom I greatly admire who have been my teachers though I’ve never met them and probably never will. I offer this book to those who know nothing of Jesus Christ in the hope that you will see him in these pages in some form. I offer this novel with love to my readers who’ve followed me through one strange turn after another in the hope that Jesus will be as real to you as any other character I’ve ever launched into the world we share. [8]

Sources:

1. Rice, Anne. Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt. New York: Alfred A. Knopf Co. (c) 2005. pg. 3
2. Ibid. (book flap)
3. Ibid. pgs. 308-309
4. Ibid. pgs. 10-11
5. Bowyer, Jerry. From Vampires to the Messiah: An Interview with Anne Rice. Available online in downloadable audio at http://www.jerrybowyer.com/podcasts/JerryBowyer–AnneRice.mp3
6. Ibid.
7. Rice, Anne. pg. 320
8. Ibid. pgs. 320-321

Review: The Door Within

Note: Please leave your opinion concerning the Future of the Account in the comment section for that post.

Review: The Door Within
Author: Wayne Thomas Batson
Length: 320 pages
Age Category: 10+
Genre: Christian Fantasy
Published: September 2005 by Tommy Nelson Publishing Co.
Score: Five Stars

Warning: Review may contain spoilers.

“Even were the hordes of darkness to assail you in hopeless demand of your life — even then do you swear devotion forever to the King?” [Batson, 124]. Such is the question that follows the journey of Aidan Thomas from where we meet this angry (and oft misunderstood) young man in Colorado all the way through his adventures in the Realm in the service of King Eliam the Everlasting. Combining the greatest elements that appear in The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Eragon (and quite unintentionally, at that), author Wayne Thomas Batson has given the Christian universe a tale that they can hold onto and enjoy for many years to come.

After being uprooted from his home in Maryland, separated from his best friend, and facing constant unbelief from his parents, Aidan Thomas has had quite enough with life as it is and is, understandably, angry about it. When he discovers some mysterious scrolls in the basement of his grandfather’s home, he is sure that all will change for the better. Yes and no. Although his parents still refuse to take him seriously, his “Grampin” encourages him to believe and to enter the Door Within.

The rest of the book goes on to detail his entrance through that Door to the Kingdom of Alleble in the Realm, where he is taken into the service of the King and sent out with eleven others to reach another kingdom with the offer of peace from Alleble. That would be a relatively easy task if the Kingdom were not at war with an ancient enemy - Paragory. As Aidan discovers the ancient roots of the conflict and just how far the enemy is willing to go to bring their mission to a disastrous ending, he finds himself changing - and for the better.

I had the opportunity to interview Mr. Batson about The Door Within in the last week and, through our correspondence, this is what emerged:

David Ketter: What was the concept in mind with which you began writing The Door Within?

Wayne Thomas Batson: There were two interrelated concepts, really. The first was an event that really hit me pretty hard. I had just become a Christian, and I finally had learned enough and gotten enough courage to tell some very important people about the good news. When I was finished spilling my guys, they laughed at me. It was kind of life, Awww, that’s cute. I couldn’t take that. Argue with me, dispute my facts, but don’t laugh. So I wanted to write a story where the protagonist had something important to share, but would not be believed.

The second concept that fueled The Door Within was the amazing truth that there exists a spiritual realm where angels and demons fight for the souls of people. I didn’t want to replicate Frank Peretti’s work, but I wanted to create a world like our own, oblivious to the certainty of a connected “other” realm.

DK: You have named Tolkien, Paolini, and others as influences in your writing. Could you elaborate what aspects of The Door Within they had the most impact
on? Would you number C.S. Lewis among them?

WTB: Tolkien gave me a love for fantasy. If it hadn’t been for the professor, The Door Within might have been something akin to a contemporary thriller rather than a medieval fantasy.

The Door Within doesn’t have Elves, Dwarves, Hobbits, and wizards like Tolkien’s Rings Trilogy, but the Glimpses of the Realm have very different cultures from each other, and the comparisons can be made. The Glimpses from Yewland for instance, have a lot in common with the traditional Elves.

Also, because I became so enamored with Tolkien, I read his Rings Trilogy once a year for the last 12 or 13 years. I think that was a mixed blessing because on the one hand, I gained an appreciation for the creation of various, lush worlds. I learned the power of the written word to transport the reader to another place.

A negative was that I think I absorbed a lot of Tolkien’s language. I know that sounds crazy. Why would that be a negative? Well, Tolkien was a master of language, but his style is quite dated. He used a lot of passive voice, being verbs, and loads of modifiers. Most contemporary schools don’t like that style as much these days, my editors included.

Paolini’s work didn’t really influence my writing at all, but I was inspired by his work to get Eragon published. He’s an extraordinarily determined young man and I think you have to be if you want to break into the publishing world.

C.S. Lewis, though I truly respect his writings, didn’t really influence my writing. I’m kind of ashamed to admit that I didn’t start reading The Chronicles of Narnia until about 3 months before the movie came out. His theology is incredible and his style of apologetics has inspired me in my personal life. Just not his writing.

DK: What would you say is the overall message of The Door Within?

WTB: The overall message of The Door Within is that there is a plan for your life, a plan full of adventure–and danger, but you can face it with courage because you are not alone.

DK: The second book of The Door Within Trilogy, Rise of the Wyrm Lord, is due to come out in a few months. Can we expect it to carry the same message or will it have a different concept in mind?

WTB: Due out in a few weeks actually. There are similar themes throughout, but there are definitely new concepts in mind, as there will be an additional main character to follow, [and] more of the Realm’s history will be uncovered.

My encounter with this book came by quite accidentally (or, as I prefer to say, providentially). It was truly a God-send that I found this book. I’m no stranger to the Christian literary world - being self-taught under the influence of Christian greats like J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. What I see in The Door Within is a true application in the tradition of their work.

Like The Chronicles of Narnia, The Door Within is readily symbolic and heavy-laden with the elements of orthodox (or “Mere” as Lewis would say) Christianity and portray compelling lessons and values that are sorely needed in the youth culture of the Christian Church today. Aidan, the protaganist of the story, is wound up in the adventure of a lifetime while hating every aspect of his situation: the loneliness, the location, and the relational problems that he has with his parents.

The Door Within shares characteristics with Tolkien’s universe as well. The epic-like stage in which it is set (the kingdom, race, mythological dynamic) quickly put any reader familiar with Tolkien at home and it draws one into the story. The myth-like mystery of Alleble and Paragory only serve to engage the reader and give them a desire to learn (or maybe create) the ancient history of that world.

As seen, Mr. Batson has invested quite a bit of thought and effort into The Door Within. His writing style is well above the norm and the plot is not only interesting but constantly surprising to the reader. In terms of the message, The Door Within ranks among the greatest books I have read, along with the works of Tolkien and Lewis. In this day of literary mediocrity, Mr. Batson has arisen to give the Christian universe a revival in fantasy.

Note: The Rise of the Wyrm Lord will be released March 7, 2006.

Narnia: Discussion

Narnia: A discussion between David Ketter and Jonathan McCarthy concerning the issues.

Review: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

This review is also available at NarniaWeb.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Time: 140 minutes
Rating: PG for battle sequences and frightening moments
Directed by: Andrew Adamson
Co-Produced by: Mark Johnson and Douglas Gresham
Starring: William Mosely, Anna Popplewell, Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley, Tilda Swinton, James McAvoy, Patrick Kake
With the voices of: Liam Neeson, Ray Winstone, Dawn French, and Rupert Everett
Score: Five stars

Warning: Review may contain spoilers.

“There must be some sort of mistake. We’re not heroes.” Peter Pevensie (William Mosely) shot the mark all too truly in this statement to Beaver (voice of Ray Winstone). When the four Pevensies first arrive in Narnia, they look to be anything but heroes. In fact, they just as easily could have been victims to the wiles of the White Witch, hostages to a renegade Faun, or subjected to the horrible conditions of the Hundred Years Winter. Indeed, it can be nearly guaranteed that this would have been the case but for one person: Aslan. All of the centaurs, fauns, gryphons, dwarfs, and talking beasts would have been without hope and they hardly would have been expected to follow a few upstart children who’s only knowledge of war was confined to its terrors.

Many people have fallen head-over-heels for The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe over the years since C.S. Lewis wrote it. Millions of children and adults have retained a near-fanatical devotion to the purity and innocence of the books. It only makes sense to keep it that way. After all, Master Lewis had a simple way of making the reader relate to the characters, to their struggles, and their successes. We felt the boredom of the Professor’s mansion, the urgency of their flight to Aslan at the Stone Table, and their excitement and solemnity at their coronation as Kings and Queens of Narnia. This being the case, it was only natural that the primary question in people’s minds would be, “Did the movie stay true to the books?’ In simplest terms: absolutely.

Before Walden Media even obtained the options (e.g., permission) to make the Chronicles of Narnia movies, they assured the C.S. Lewis Estate that they would remain true to the original story. Douglas Gresham, C.S. Lewis’ stepson and virtual head of the C.S. Lewis Estate was adamant on the point and believed that they would do what they promised. Next, Walden Media went on a search for a director. In the midst of the cutthroat industry, they found Andrew Adamson, the famed director of Shrek and Shrek 2, two totally computer-generated comedies. When approached him about the movie, Adamson made it clear that he would not do it if it wasn’t true to the original story. According to Adamson, he had read it as a child and still retained a keen memory of the tale. After he accepted the job, there was the mandatory meeting with Douglas Gresham to confirm it all. Mr. Gresham agreed to it with one condition: that Adamson would have to play Puddleglum the Marshwiggle when they make The Silver Chair.

That is only the start of their devotion to staying true to the story. It even extended to finding the right actors and actresses, designing the costumes, scenery, and prosthetics for the many creatures of Narnia, and, most importantly, consulting Mr. Gresham on numerous occasions. Their devotion was very obvious in the movie, since there were only a few slight changes. Among them would be the mysterious “Deeper Magic” that Aslan speaks of to the children after his return. This, by far, is the greatest disappointment since it has such a treasured role in the book.

Some viewers might object that there is much more in the movie than in the book. That is true but here is the reason why. C.S. Lewis’ writing style was almost vague. It gave a short description that never went beyond what was needed, except in special cases. Tolkien was just the opposite. He literally spelled everything out for the reader, down to the last detail. When one reads The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the book simply begins the journey and your imagination fills in everything else. For Andrew Adamson, that meant showing the details of the battle, the appearance of multiple races of creatures that aren’t described in the books, like the hags, and the horrors of World War II that brought the children to the Professor’s house. This creativity also went a great deal into designing armor, weapons, and the respective camps of Aslan and the White Witch.

The graphics were very well-done, carrying on the great tradition of The Lord of the Rings. The CGI people worked very hard to ensure that everything from fauns’ legs to centaurs’ lower body to Beaver and Mrs. Beaver themselves were realistic and well-applied, as was the acting selection. William Mosely (Peter), Anna Popplewell (Susan), Skandar Keynes (Edmund), and Georgie Henley (Lucy) did an excellent job with their characters - bringing them to life in a very believable manner. Tilda Swinton also had a magnificent performance as the White Witch (with whom she shares no real-life characteristics). James McAvoy, as young as he is, proved to be the best actor for the role of Mr. Tumnus. Perhaps the greatest surprise, however, was the quality of Liam Neeson’s performance as the voice of Aslan. Many fans had expressed concern that his voice did not have the depth required for the part but there is no doubt in my mind that he certainly pulled it off. Everything we envision in Aslan - his majesty, his authority, his grief, and some of his well-placed humor - were skillfully implemented by Neeson.

The devotion to the story, the skill by which it was portrayed, and the magnitude of the production all come together to form a masterpiece that is well-worth its 140 minutes viewing time. It is only fair to congratulate Walden Media, Mr. Adamson, Mr. Gresham, and all others involved on a job well-done. Thanks to them, Narnia is no longer held captive to our imagination, but is available to every last one of us in this film. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe has my full recommendation. I am also looking forward to the rest of the films in the series (which are already slated for production).

Review: The Village

Note: I watched the Village awhile ago and gathered notes, etc. together to write the review and never did so. That being the case, I’m going to write it now.

The Village
Time: 108 minutes
Rating: PG-13
Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
Produced by: M. Night Shyamalan, Scott Rulin, and Sam Mercer
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Bryce Dallas Howard, Adrien Body, & Sigourney Weaver

“I’m not worried about what will happen, only what needs to be done” -Lucius Hunt (Joaquin Phoenix)

This line, above all other, characterizes The Village. The mysterious tale, masterfully woven by award-winning author and director M. Night Shyamalan (Signs, The Sixth Sense) is a film worthy of attention. Its merits lie chiefly in the depth of the plot, careful development of the characters, and the moral code presented.

*Please note that spoilers are present in the review*

The film begins with a child’s funeral, a grieving father, and the formation of many questions in the viewer’s mind. When the elders, a group of men and women who govern the town, gather together to hear the request of residents of the town, young Lucius Hunt arrives on the scene. Lucius Hunt, a quiet, well-intentioned, and thoughtful person wishes to seek “the towns” to “gather new medicines” that others who succumb to the disease as the now-deceased child did. Pained as they were, the elders consistently denied permission.

The rest of the film continues in this stream, although the plot most certainly thickens - pardon the cliche. It heavily involves his long-time friends, Ivy and Noah, and all the characters are well-developed. Even with the many revelations, the mystery thsat radiates from every scene never diminishes and Shyamalan has done an excellent job maintaining that.

I have mentioned that the film has a strong moral compass that is displayed. The town is very Puritan in appearance and one could imagine this setting during the days of the Salem Witch Trials. Actually the superstition present throughout the film - fear of red objects, “protective cloaks,” etc - just reinforces the idea.

All in all, I would give The Village five stars for excellent production, top-notch story, and a very awesome display of morality.