The Lion of Judah
Circa 2011
This was the official website to promote the 2011 movie The Lion of Judah.
Content is from the site's 2011 archived pages.
The first ever 3-D animated, family-friendly, faith-based movie released to theaters!
The Lion of Judah tells the story that changed the world...
When Judah the Lamb is taken by the townspeople to become a sacrifice, his six new friends from a Bethlehem stable have to go to his rescue! An incredible adventure follows, full of danger, drama and heroes.
Judah’s new friends, led by Slink the clever mouse (Ernest Borgnine) and Esmay the motherly cow (Sandy Patti) meet up with Jack (Scott Eastwood), a teen-aged donkey with an attitude!
Jack is less than happy to be part of the crew, but when the furry and feathered band of stable animals get separated and need saving, it’s Jack who rushes to their rescue.
Even the best efforts of Jack and the rest of the stable friends are not enough to save Judah. In this incredible tale of adventure and compassion, it takes the greatest hero of all, The King, to save Judah… and all the other animals, too!
Frequently asked questions about The Lion of Judah movie
Why is the movie called The Lion of Judah when there is no lion in it?
The movie title, The Lion of Judah is a play on words. One of Jesus’ many names is “The Lion of Judah.” Judah is not just the name of the main character of the movie, the lamb named Judah, but it is also a name of the nation of Judah. A lion is also often portrayed as a king. The title of the movie, The Lion of Judah, is actually another name for Jesus who is the real life Lion of Judah.
What is the story of The Lion of Judah about?
The Lion of Judah retells the story of Easter. The same animals who live in the stable in Bethlehem where Jesus was born now have the chance to witness His Triumphal Entry in Jerusalem, His cleansing of the Temple, His crucifixion and also His resurrection. The Lion of Judah the movie tells the story of Easter in a way that engages children, teens, parents, families, believers and even unbelievers.
Who or what is Animated Family Films?
Animated Family Films in the multinational corporation who is producing and creating The Lion of Judah, the very first 3D animated, faith-based, family-friendly film to be released in theaters. Animated Family Films has offices in Coral Springs, Florida and also South Africa. Rather than being just another production company that makes great movies, Animated Family Films is focused on developing quality films with memorable characters and using these films to introduce and build internationally recognized Brands and character franchises.
Who are the actors who play the characters in The Lion of Judah?
Sandi Patty is the voice of Esmay the cow, Ernest Borgnine is the voice of Slink the mouse, Michael Madsen is the voice of Boss the raven, Georgina Cordova is the voice of Judah the lamb, Anupam Kherr is the voice of Monty the horse, Scott Eastwood is the voice of Jack the donkey, Alphonso McAuley is the voice of Drake the rooster and Omar Benson Miller is the voice of Horace the pig.
What is Once Upon A Stable?
Once Upon A Stable is the prequel to The Lion of Judah. Once Upon A Stable is an award-winning, 23-minute, made for TV animated feature that tells the story of Christmas through the eyes of the same animals that are present to witness the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Join the Lion of Judah "Adopt A Lion" Program
The story of The Lion of Judah is like the story of a modern-day David going up against Goliath. Our movie may not be named after David but it is facing the Goliath of an entertainment industry that is continually pushing the limits of decency.
The Lion of Judah is a movie based on Christian faith, history and principles. Movies like ours are not often what the big movie studios choose to promote.
But you can help The Lion of Judah make a roar that is heard around the world! And when this roar is heard, the entertainment industry will sit up and take notice!
That's why we are asking everyone who is able to Adopt a Lion. When you Adopt a Lion, you will help us at The Lion of Judah take the incredible message of this faith- based film into the mainstream - roaring all the way!
When you Adopt a Lion, you are asking the entertainment industry for more family-friendly movies. If enough of us roar together, we will wake up an industry and nation starved for excellent, family-friendly, faith enriching content that parents can share, and enjoy with their children!
Sponsor The Lion of Judah by Adopting a Lion and help support family friendly entertainment
If you or your organization has a desire to support family-friendly, faith-based films please help by Adopting a Lion. Help us send the film industry a message - a roar the world will heard around the world!
Expenses for planning, writing, animating and promoting a movie of this magnitude are great. We need your help to reach people worldwide with the message of Easter.
A great way to do that is by sponsoring The Lion of Judah and helping us to expand markets and promote this film nationwide in cities and towns across the USA and even the world.
When you give, we'll give right back...
We appreciate your willingness to help us out and we want to be able to help you, too! For every $1,000 dollars you give to Adopt a Lion, you will receive:
1. A Certificate for 100 special edition Lion Of Judah DVD’s, (valued up to $3,000 at $30 each ) to sell or even give away! These will be available 120 days after the movie’s release date.
2. Your entire organization membership will be provided a code to order the award winning Lion of Judah prequel, Once Upon A Stable with special behind the scenes footage and a sneak preview Lion of Judah Trailer (retail value $20). You can get a copy for each of your congregation members!
Join the Lion of Judah as an ambassador & get a free DVD and discounted merchandise
We need people like you! People who care about what kind of entertainment is available to familes and children in this modern time. We need people who care that a great, faith-based movie like The Lion of Judah is available not just to entertain, but to spread the Gospel!
Help us create a “Roar heard around the world" that calls for more quality, faith-based, family-friendly entertainment like The Lion of Judah. We need it desperately!
Its easy and its free when you sign up to become a Lion of Judah Ambassador.And you get great free Lion of Judah stuff too!
Lion of Judah Ambassadors are committed to outreach and our grassroots vision for The Lion of Judah. With the success of Lion of Judah, the way will be paved for many other faith-based family films.
Meet Drake the zany Rooster!
voiced by Alphonso McAuley
Drake is a young rooster. He is the person who never keeps quiet, that needs to know everything and who keeps getting into trouble while getting others into trouble as well.
He doesn't live day by day... he lives minute by minute. When it comes right down to it, Drake probably lives second by second. He doesn't really have any idea of what just happened or what is happening next. Drake is one of those creatures that lives only in the present.
If ignorance is bliss, then Drake is very blessed. Drake lacks concentration or awareness of what is going on outside of the stable.
Drake is very animated and is the zaniest of all the stablemates. Drake loves to dance and tries to be funny. Unfortunately, he is funny, but not the way he plans.
Meet Esmay the motherly Cow!
voiced by Sandi Patty
Esmay is a milk cow and the mother of the stable. She takes care of all the stablemates as much as she can.
She considers herself quite a lady and feels she should be in a pristine stable or house, rather than with this raggedy bunch of creatures that she calls friends.
Esmay has a large vocabulary, especially for a milk cow, and she likes to show it off as much as she can. Not only does she do that, but Esmay can be quite dramatic.
Esmay likes to pamper herself but tries to hide it - not too successfully. She is gentle and feminine but will demand respect when necessary.
Her main weakness is that she likes hay a bit more than she should, so she isn't as slim as she'd like. If necessary, she will bat her eyes at you on occasions - her dignity shows in her facial and body expressions.
Esmay is a very endearing character...even when she uses her tail to discipline her stable friends. They need it a lot!
Meet Monty the cowardly Horse!
voiced by Anupam Kerr
Monty the horse isn't always what he seems to be. Monty is a great big strong horse, but inside he is really just a big pushover and coward. In fact, Monty feints at the the drop of a hat!
Monty is not like other horses and doesn't hang out with other horses so he doesn't really know how he should act as a horse.
Monty has really bad aim, and kicking is just not his thing. He usually does not get "what's going on" in the big picture.
At first, he comes across as strong and confident, but as soon as he opens his mouth he withers away.
Monty worries a lot! When you first see him, he looks pretty composed - but he looses his cool as soon as things don't go his way. He avoids conflict at any cost.
From imdb.com
Storyline
Follow the adventures of a bold lamb (Judah) and his stable friends as they try to avoid the sacrificial alter the week preceding the crucifixion of Christ. It is a heart-warming account of the Easter story as seen through the eyes of a lovable pig (Horace), a faint-hearted horse (Monty), a pedantic rat (Slink), a rambling rooster (Drake), a motherly cow (Esmay) and a downtrodden donkey (Jack). This magnificent period piece with its epic sets is a roller coaster ride of emotions. Enveloped in humor, this quest follows the animals from the stable in Bethlehem to the great temple in Jerusalem and onto the hillside of Calvary as these unlikely heroes try to save their friend. The journey weaves seamlessly through the biblical accounts of Palm Sunday, Jesus turning the tables in the temple, Peter's denial and with a tense, heart-wrenching climax, depicts the crucifixion and resurrection with gentleness and breathtaking beauty. For Judah, the lamb with the heart of a lion, it is a story of...Written by Brent Dawes
Reviews
Well intended but a major disappointment
Author: trumpetdls from United States
13 June 2011
I went to see The Lion of Judah recently. My girlfriend and I were the only two people in the theater! It's a well intended movie but I have to agree with the critics - the storyline was disjointed, animation lacking refinement with unnatural movement on flat, glitchy backgrounds (it was obvious they were on a budget), the dialogue was uneven and most of the jokes were weak. This movie will have to rely on field trips by vacation bible schools and Sunday-school teachers to regain their investment. The movie was pulled from the local movie theater after only one week! Once again, good message...mediocre execution.
Seriously Clever Film! A Must-See Movie If Ever I Saw One!!!
Author: Shilohbloo from United States
19 January 2013
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
Seriously pleasantly surprised!!! The last days of Jesus our Christ on this earth before sacrificing himself for our sins, shown from the perspective of the animals involved; some from Jesus' birth in the barn, all the way to that final, selfless moment when He was crucified. I would recommend this movie to everyone. Forget about criticizing the little this's-n-that's; see it for the incredible message and meaning - and the absolutely clever way of relaying this true account of our Lord & Savior. It truly tells the story very well from that point-of-view, including moments when lumps will form in your throat and your heart will feel like swelling right out of your chest! And for the budget, it really is a nicely done animation. As for all the animal lovers out there, a joyous ending (beginning!!), indeed; not only for the animals involved, but for the viewers witnessing this precious, little, hidden gem. Go see it... You won't be sorry - especially if you're in it for the reason you should be in it for! God bless. :)
fantastic family film
Author: daniel-444 from United States
3 May 2011
For a lower budget animation this film really hits the mark. This is a great family picture. The characters are well thought out and the animation is pretty good. Now that it is in 3D its even better. I liked how they used the bible as a back drop and didn't make it preachy. The music was amazing. A lot of original tracks, well composed and written. I liked how they used humor to tie together several touchy subjects.
The story really takes off as the crew heads out after their new friend. They meet all kinds of new and interesting characters along the way. The horse was my favorite character. He reminds me of the giraffe from Madagascar.
More Background On LionOfJudahTheMovie.com
LionOfJudahTheMovie.com served as the official promotional website for the 2011 animated feature film The Lion of Judah. Designed as both a marketing platform and a grassroots mobilization hub, the website reflected the film’s mission: to deliver a family-friendly, faith-based retelling of the Easter story through the eyes of animated stable animals. At a time when Christian-themed theatrical releases were relatively rare—especially in the realm of 3-D animation—the site functioned not just as a movie homepage, but as a rallying point for supporters seeking more explicitly faith-oriented content in mainstream cinemas.
This article explores the history, ownership, production background, audience reception, marketing strategy, cultural significance, and legacy of LionOfJudahTheMovie.com and the film it promoted.
The Film Behind the Website: The Lion of Judah (2011)
The Lion of Judah
Released in 2011, The Lion of Judah was marketed as the first 3-D animated, faith-based, family-friendly feature film to receive a theatrical release. The film retells the events of Holy Week—Palm Sunday through the Resurrection—through the perspective of animals who were present at both the Nativity in Bethlehem and the Crucifixion in Jerusalem.
The story centers on Judah, a young lamb mistakenly taken to be sacrificed during Passover. His stable companions—including Slink the mouse (voiced by Ernest Borgnine), Esmay the cow (Sandi Patty), Jack the donkey (Scott Eastwood), Monty the horse (Anupam Kher), Drake the rooster (Alphonso McAuley), Horace the pig (Omar Benson Miller), and Boss the raven (Michael Madsen)—set out on an adventurous journey to rescue him.
Rather than presenting the Passion narrative directly from a human perspective, the film weaves biblical events into an animal-centered adventure. The website emphasized that while the title may suggest a literal lion, the phrase “Lion of Judah” is a biblical title for Jesus Christ, symbolizing kingship and fulfillment of prophecy.
Production Company and Ownership
Animated Family Films
The film was produced by Animated Family Films, a multinational corporation with offices in Coral Springs, Florida and South Africa. According to archived materials and industry coverage, the project was spearheaded by South African filmmaker Brent Dawes, who wrote and directed the film.
Animated Family Films positioned itself not merely as a production studio but as a brand-building enterprise focused on launching character-driven franchises rooted in Christian themes. The company framed The Lion of Judah as the beginning of a larger portfolio of faith-based animated properties aimed at filling what it perceived as a gap in the marketplace.
LionOfJudahTheMovie.com functioned as the digital face of this corporate ambition, promoting the movie as both an artistic endeavor and a cultural mission.
The Website’s Structure and Content
LionOfJudahTheMovie.com, as preserved through archive records, featured a range of promotional and informational sections typical of early-2010s film websites:
- Synopsis and storyline
- Cast and voice actor biographies
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Character introductions
- Trailer previews
- Sponsorship and donation appeals
- Ambassador program sign-ups
- “Adopt a Lion” fundraising campaign
- DVD pre-order and promotional merchandise information
The tone of the website was overtly evangelical, blending entertainment marketing with calls for cultural advocacy. It frequently referenced a perceived moral decline in mainstream entertainment and positioned the film as a countercultural alternative.
Voice Cast and Notable Performers
One of the film’s selling points—prominently featured on the website—was its eclectic voice cast, which combined Hollywood veterans, Christian music icons, and emerging actors:
- Ernest Borgnine – Slink the mouse
- Sandi Patty – Esmay the cow
- Michael Madsen – Boss the raven
- Anupam Kher – Monty the horse
- Scott Eastwood – Jack the donkey
- Omar Benson Miller – Horace the pig
The casting of Ernest Borgnine, an Academy Award-winning actor, added mainstream credibility. Sandi Patty’s involvement appealed strongly to evangelical Christian audiences, particularly church communities familiar with her contemporary Christian music career.
The Prequel: Once Upon A Stable
Once Upon a Stable
The website also promoted Once Upon A Stable, a 23-minute animated Christmas prequel depicting the Nativity story from the same animals’ perspective. The prequel reportedly won awards in Christian film circuits and served as proof of concept for the full-length Easter-themed feature.
The site used the prequel strategically in marketing bundles and fundraising incentives, offering DVDs to donors and church groups.
The “Adopt A Lion” Campaign
One of the most distinctive aspects of LionOfJudahTheMovie.com was its grassroots fundraising initiative called the “Adopt A Lion” program.
Rather than relying solely on studio distribution channels, the producers actively solicited financial support from churches, ministries, and faith-based organizations. Donors contributing $1,000 were promised:
- 100 special-edition DVDs (valued at $30 each)
- Access codes for the prequel film
- Behind-the-scenes footage
- Trailer access
- Organizational recognition
The messaging framed the campaign as a “David vs. Goliath” battle against a secular entertainment industry. The language invoked spiritual warfare metaphors and collective mobilization, urging supporters to create a “roar heard around the world.”
This approach mirrored crowdfunding models that would later become mainstream but was relatively early in the 2011 theatrical landscape.
The Ambassador Program
The site also encouraged supporters to become “Lion of Judah Ambassadors.” This free outreach initiative invited individuals to promote the film in their communities. Ambassadors received:
- Promotional materials
- Discounted merchandise
- Free DVD offers
- Outreach guidelines for churches and schools
This program underscored the producers’ reliance on church networks and faith communities as primary distribution channels.
Plot Themes and Narrative Structure
The film’s storyline follows Judah and his companions from Bethlehem to Jerusalem, interweaving:
- The Triumphal Entry (Palm Sunday)
- The cleansing of the Temple
- Peter’s denial
- The Crucifixion
- The Resurrection
The website emphasized that the depiction of the Crucifixion was handled with “gentleness and breathtaking beauty,” suitable for children while remaining faithful to biblical events.
This balancing act—retelling one of Christianity’s most solemn narratives within a child-friendly animated adventure—was central to both the film’s ambition and its critical challenges.
Critical Reception and Reviews
IMDb
Reviews on IMDb and other film platforms were mixed.
Positive reviews praised:
- The heartfelt message
- Creative biblical retelling
- Family-friendly tone
- Original musical score
More critical assessments cited:
- Budget limitations
- Uneven animation quality
- Disjointed pacing
- Limited theatrical reach
Some reviewers noted that screenings were sparsely attended and that the film had short theatrical runs in certain markets. However, defenders argued that the spiritual message outweighed technical imperfections.
Box Office and Distribution
Box Office Mojo
Box office data indicates that The Lion of Judah had a modest theatrical performance, grossing under $1 million domestically. Its limited release strategy relied heavily on targeted markets and faith-based outreach.
The film later found life through DVD distribution, church screenings, and streaming platforms catering to Christian audiences.
Cultural Context: Faith-Based Animation in 2011
In 2011, faith-based cinema was gaining traction but had not yet achieved the commercial success later seen with films like:
- God's Not Dead
- Heaven Is for Real
Animated faith-based theatrical features were especially rare. Major studios largely avoided explicitly Christian narratives outside of allegorical content.
LionOfJudahTheMovie.com reflects this transitional moment, where independent producers sought to bypass traditional Hollywood gatekeeping through grassroots mobilization and church-based promotion.
Target Audience
The website explicitly targeted:
- Evangelical Christian families
- Church youth groups
- Sunday schools
- Vacation Bible Schools
- Faith-based educators
The FAQ section emphasized that the film was suitable for believers and non-believers alike, though the marketing language strongly appealed to Christian identity and cultural advocacy.
Website Design and Digital Era Context
LionOfJudahTheMovie.com followed early-2010s web design conventions:
- Flash-style animation elements
- Character spotlight pages
- Prominent donation buttons
- DVD promotional banners
- Large call-to-action messaging
The tone blended marketing copy with sermon-like exhortation. Rather than presenting neutral film promotion, it adopted a missionary posture.
Themes of Advocacy and Media Reform
One of the most striking elements of the website was its framing of the entertainment industry as morally compromised. It described the film industry as “pushing the limits of decency” and called supporters to demand more wholesome content.
This positioned the film not only as entertainment but as activism.
The language suggested that success of The Lion of Judah would pave the way for additional faith-based animated features—an aspirational brand-building strategy that ultimately did not expand into a large franchise.
Awards and Festival Presence
While the feature film did not receive major mainstream awards, the prequel short film reportedly won recognition in Christian film festival circuits.
Coverage appeared in Christian media outlets, church publications, and faith-based film blogs rather than in mainstream entertainment press.
Legacy and Current Status
LionOfJudahTheMovie.com is no longer actively maintained in its original promotional form, though archived versions preserve its content. The film continues to circulate on streaming platforms and DVD, particularly around Easter.
The website stands as an artifact of early 2010s faith-based digital marketing—combining crowdfunding-style fundraising, grassroots ambassador programs, and character merchandising in a pre-social-media-dominance era.
Broader Significance
From a cultural perspective, LionOfJudahTheMovie.com illustrates:
- Early adoption of faith-based crowdfunding tactics
- Attempts to compete with mainstream animation studios
- The intersection of evangelical outreach and digital marketing
- Independent animation efforts outside Hollywood systems
It also reflects the ambitions and limitations of independent religious filmmaking before the explosion of online streaming platforms made niche distribution more accessible.
LionOfJudahTheMovie.com was more than a film website—it was a mobilization platform for a community seeking representation in mainstream entertainment. The film itself, though modest in commercial performance, remains notable as one of the earliest attempts at a theatrically released 3-D animated Christian feature.
Its legacy lies not in box office dominance but in its boldness: an independent studio challenging industry norms, inviting supporters to “roar,” and framing animated storytelling as both ministry and marketplace strategy.
For historians of faith-based cinema, digital marketing scholars, and observers of early 21st-century Christian media movements, LionOfJudahTheMovie.com offers a compelling snapshot of a moment when belief, branding, and animation intersected in ambitious—and earnest—fashion.