“The Chosen” creator Dallas Jenkins revisited with ChurchLeaders why he was “born to make” his passion project “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” now available on Blu-ray and DVD with exclusive bonus content.
After its release last November, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” went on to gross more than $40 million. The film stars Judy Greer (“Ant Man,” “Jurassic World,” “The Wedding Planner”), Pete Holmes (“The Secret Life of Pets 2,” “Crashing”), Lauren Graham (“Gilmore Girls,” “Evan Almighty”), Elizabeth Tabish (“The Chosen”), Kirk B.R. Woller (“The Chosen”), and Molly Belle Wright.
Jenkins shared how the story, based on Barbara Robinson’s beloved book, deeply moved him and his family two decades ago, inspiring him to bring its message to the screen. Jenkins also recalled the emotional journey of acquiring the rights, filming the climactic “pageant” scene, and directing both veteran actors and young newcomers in the cold Canadian winter.
“I love Christmas movies. I love Christmas. I love the stuff that’s funny and emotional at the same time. I have to make this movie. I was born to make this movie,” Jenkins told ChurchLeaders.
RELATED: After Grossing Over $35 Million in Theaters, ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ Is Now Streaming
Jenkins is excited for viewers to watch the extras included with the release of Blu-ray and DVD. “There are extras that aren’t just the typical promotional pieces. We really give you a deep dive into the making of it, the history of it,” he said. “There was so much fun on the movie with Judy and Pete and Lauren. I mean, they’re so great, and they’re so funny, and we had an absolute blast.”
“I would say that the thing that always will stick with me is the filming of the climactic scene—the scene where they put on the pageant. And this is a scene that made me weep when I was reading it,” Jenkins continued. “I was like, how do I live up to this? How do I capture something that was so powerful in the book? But a book is different from a movie. Can I really pull this off?”
Jenkins recounted:
I remember filming the climactic scene, and the actress Beatrice, who plays Imogene Herdman—the worst kid ever, who’s been a bully the whole movie, who’s been mean and tough the whole time—and now we have to see her vulnerable and emotional. And man, that moment when she’s crying and the tears are streaming down her face—and they’re real tears—this actress just nailed it. And I’m standing there with my wife, who had said, “I have to be there for the filming of this scene. This is the most important scene. I have to be there.” And yet, you’re still a little nervous. You’re like, “Are we going to be able to pull this off?” And she just nailed it. And I’ll never forget it because I knew God is behind this. I am so lucky and fortunate that God has blessed me with this story to tell it. And she’s nailing it, and now it’s up to me to not screw it up. I’ll just never forget that moment.
