William Booth Torchlighters DVD

William Booth

The founder of the Salvation Army

With Bibles and prayer they battled sin

The pub owners and their hired thugs are ready for William Booth and his ragtag followers when they come marching into London’s East End. With clubs and rocks, the thugs are set to chase this preacher out of town once and for all. But William and his “Salvation Army” are not so easily dissuaded! Armed only with Bibles, musical instruments and their unflinching faith, they march in to face their most dangerous opponents so far. Who will win the spiritual battle for the hurting souls of this forgotten corner of London?

Awards

Gold Award – Best Children’s Film

Won at July 2012 – International Christian Visual Media
Silver Award – Best Series

Won at July 2012 – International Christian Visual Media
Bronze Award – Best Evangelistic Film

Won at July 2012 – International Christian Visual Media
Best Children/Youth Production

Won at CEVMA Film Festival 2012
Best Animation

Pan Pacific Film Competition 2012

SPECIAL FEATURES:

English and Spanish languages with optional English subtitles
Documentary, abridged 40 minutes from the program “Our People: The Story of William and Catherine Booth”
Comprehensive leader’s guide with lesson plans, background information, and more (also available at www.torchlighters.org)
Reproducible student handouts, including discussion questions, puzzles, activities coloring, and more
Many additional resources available online at www.torchlighters.org

English and Spanish with English subtitles, 30 min. plus extras.

For more information on the Torchlighters series, visit www.torchlighters.org.

Editorial Reviews

James A Cox, Editor – Midwest Book Review – 2011

Part of the “Torchlighters” series of animated DVD’s spotlighting the struggles of real-life Christian heroes throughout history, The William Book Story is a brief biography of WIlliam Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, who incurred the wrath of the alcohol industry (and hired thugs!) When he sought to bring relief to London’s suffering poor, and salvation to all. Booth and his followers armed themselves with Bibles, musical instruments, and faith in God against their opposition, and put their lives on the line for not only their Christian beliefs, but also to improve the living conditions of their fellow human beings around the world. A host of special features round out this engaging cartoon, including an abridged documentary from the program “Our People: The Story of William and Catherine Booth”, a comprehensive leader’s guide with lesson plans, and reproducible student handouts. Highly recommended especially for Church DVD library collections and as a part of Sunday School curriculums.

Video Librarian, March/April 2012

This animated feature from the YA-aimed Torchlighters series traces the origins of the Salvation Army, providing interesting background information about the organization—familiar to many through its resale stores and the ubiquitous bell-ringers and collection kettles that appear every holiday season. The story goes back to London’s rough-and-tumble East End in the mid-1800’s, when William Booth preached salvation and sobriety, arousing the ire of pub owners. Following parallel paths, two central figures here are disaffected Londoners—a boy who exchanges loot from his pickpocketing adventures for a glass of beer, and his doppelganger elder, a lost soul facing the gallows as a result of an empty life of sin—ultimately changed by faith in God. Although threatened with violence from those who opposed his work, Booth called his army of followers to a different sort of arms—wielding Bibles, love, forgiveness, and music—eventually creating a worldwide phenomenon that continues to this day, with the Salvation Army taking on contemporary issues such as human trafficking and slavery. DVD extras include a leader’s guide with lesson plans, handouts, and discussion materials. Highly recommended.