|
The Story Keepers is a 1995, American-Irish, direct-to-video, animated series. It was co-created by Andrew Melrose and Brian D. Brown. Co-production was amongst Shepherd Films, Zondervan, and Focus on the Family. Over the course of a couple years, the first two episodes were released on home media in 1995, followed by six more episodes in 1996, and then the final five episodes were released in 1997, bringing the total to 13.
Plot[]
In 64 A.D., Rome, Italy, a baker, his wife, and five kids are forced to flee to a safer area after the word about them spreading the Biblical word gets out and they're under the threat of persecution. There are some people who are non-believers of the Christian faith and they would love for nothing more than to punish the believers. But the group keep the Biblical tales a secret and continue sharing their knowledge of Christianity to anyone willing to listen. Along the way, they meet others while making friends with them as they reach their goal of freedom.
Why The Stories Are The Best Kept Secrets[]
- The art style looks refined as it's reminiscent of something that could've been by Disney. The animation is great in later episodes.
- The writing is excellent as there isn't really anything to complain about in that area, like plot holes. The episodes feature original stories while also containing Biblical tales that are told in intervals, which are just as great.
- Character designs that are well-made.
- Likable, distinctive, and memorable characters. One reason this is so is that some, certain characters change for the better.
- The background and incident music is finely composed, and epic.
- Voice acting and delivery provided by an outstanding voice cast.
- Dialogue that is written properly and pleasingly.
- Some funny moments in addition to the dramatic ones.
- It reminds viewers the importance of keeping the Good Book alive and why it is considered to be so sacred.
- It does a good job in explaining what the Christian faith is all about without being too complex for kids to understand well.
- The messages of the Biblical stories told in each episode that correspond with the main plots are match-made and done in a way that's easily comprehensive, and satisfying.
- The follow-up series, Friends and Heroes, is a worthy, spiritual successor to this.
Bad Qualities[]
- The quality of the animation isn't consistently perfect in the earlier episodes as there are bumps in it at times.
- Some scenes and moments of peril may be too frightening for the youngsters.
- The Christmas Story Keepers and The Easter Story Keepers DVDs aren't all that original, as they're just compilations of the already pre-existing episodes, which some may find disappointing. They're only beneficial to those who may not already own any of the individual episodes or the box set.