Director Tony Goss brings the biblical epic to animated life in Book of Joshua: Walls of Jericho, a faithful retelling of one of the Old Testament’s most cinematic battles. With a blend of solid animation and heartfelt reverence, this family-friendly feature walks the line between Sunday School classic and action-packed adventure.
After escaping slavery in Egypt, Moses leads the Israelites across the Red Sea and into the wilderness. Despite witnessing miracles, the people turn away from God and worship a golden calf while Moses is on Mount Sinai. God punishes them, but He also shows mercy, allowing them to continue their journey. The Israelites wander the desert for forty years.
On their journey to Canaan, they reach the kingdom of the Amorites. Joshua is sent to speak with King Sihon. While in the courtyard, they encounter Rahab, a woman who is there to dance for the king on behalf of the Kingdom of Jericho. When Jacob and the others ask the king for peaceful passage, he demands an offering to his god. They refuse, staying faithful to the God of Abraham. The king threatens them, but lets them go. Soon after, King Sihon attacks, but the Israelites defeat his army and those of three other cities. Witnessing these victories, Rahab comes to believe in the power of their God.
At the edge of the Promised Land, God does not allow Moses to go further. Before his death, God commands Moses to appoint Joshua as his successor to lead the people. Joshua prepares for their greatest challenge yet. The city is heavily fortified, and its king chooses to remain hidden behind its massive walls rather than confront the Israelites directly. Joshua once again encounters Rahab, who helps the Israelites from within the city. She helps the Israelites from inside the city, recognizing that their God is unlike any other. With the people of Jericho bracing for war, God reveals an unexpected plan: instead of attacking, the Israelites are to march around the city for seven days, led by priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant. The stage is set for a miraculous showdown that will test their faith and change history.
“God promised that they would enter Canaan, the promised land…”
Book of Joshua: Walls of Jericho does what every good Bible story should do: present a faithful tale of the actual story with little “creative license” and tell the Bible lessons we remember from Sunday School. The important lesson here is one of faith. God promised that they would enter Canaan, the promised land, and if his people remained faithful to Him, He would deliver Jericho to his people even if it meant marching around the walls and blowing horns.
There are several variations on the story. Rahab is introduced early in the Amorite Kingdom. This isn’t in the Bible, but it motivates her to follow the God of Israel instead of Jericho’s gods. We also get some backstory on the kings and the sacrifices their gods required for victory.
As an animated feature, Book of Joshua is on par with the 2D computer animation that most studios use, like what Disney does for the Disney Channel or Disney Junior. It delivers a polished presentation with solid character, sound design, and backgrounds comparable to Disney Channel productions. Overall, the Book of Joshua is a solid animated feature for the family that gets its message across with all the action the kids will love.
Book of Joshua: Walls of Jericho delivers exactly what it promises—faith, family, and a few good trumpet blasts. It’s a rousing reminder that miracles favor the faithful and that sometimes, the best battle strategy is to trust the plan, no matter how crazy.
"…miracles favor the faithful…"
