Jesus: He Lived Among Us

Bookended by the story of John the Baptist's imprisonment for his beliefs, this animated feature-length production depicts key events in the life of Jesus as related in the New Testament of the Bible, beginning with the virgin birth and King Herod's order to kill all male children, and continuing with a stirring depiction of John's first encounter with Jesus and his accounts of Jesus's various miracles and teachings. Part of the Voice of the Martyrs series, the emphasis here is on the sacrifices religious figures made and the persecutions they suffered in order to live the convictions of their faith, but the presentation balances the difficulties and agonies of Jesus's life (including a tastefully depicted crucifixion) with more light-hearted moments, giving a rounded dimension to the subject. DVD extras include the featurette “A Film to Reach Millions.” Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: P. (C. Block)