The Miracle Maker

Stanislav Sokolov's 2000 film is a British and Russian co-production telling the life of Jesus with stop-motion puppets. It places a family seeking help for their sick daughter at the centre and builds much of the story through that child's point of view, Tamar's. Ralph Fiennes voices Jesus, and the cast also includes Julie Christie and James Frain. Technically its most striking feature is the use of two animation languages together: everyday scenes are handled with handmade puppets while memories and parables are told in drawn animation. The craft of the Russian animation tradition is plainly visible. It approaches the religious narrative from within faith, as transmission rather than argument, and is best watched knowing that. Who it's for: viewers interested in stop-motion animation and looking for a version of the Gospel narrative suitable for children. Who it's not for: those wanting critical or historical distance, or anyone not reckoning that the crucifixion sequence may be heavy for young children.