--- title: I Heard the Bells description: Maria V. Gallagher reviews a film that tells the story behind a well-known Christmas carol. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20221121%20MGallagher%201.jpg --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/i-heard-the-bells#) [MEDIA](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/media) # I Heard the Bells Nov 21, 2022 7:00:00 AM  |  by [Maria V. Gallagher](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/maria-v-gallagher) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20221121%20MGallagher%201.jpg) *Maria V. Gallagher reviews a film that tells the story behind a well-known Christmas carol.* --- > I heard the bells on Christmas Day > Their old, familiar carols play, > And wild and sweet > The words repeat > Of peace on earth, good-will to men!   I have always been fascinated with the Christmas carol, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” It is one of those songs where the lyrics correspond with the music in a most stirring way. But I had never known the actual origins of this musical masterpiece until I viewed the new film, *[I Heard the Bells](https://www.iheardthebellsmovie.com/).* The movie tells the dramatic behind-the-scenes story of the origin of the song, which continues to captivate audiences at Christmastime.   ![I Heard the Bells poster](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/I%20Heard%20the%20Bells%20poster.jpg?width=499&height=741&name=I%20Heard%20the%20Bells%20poster.jpg) The movie is not only a celebration of the power of music to enliven the soul. It also explores the important themes of faith and family, patriotism and poetry. Fans of historic dramas will be particularly enthralled by the movie, which takes place in Civil War-era America. The costumes are elegant and the settings bring to life a time when life was simpler and a poet could receive nationwide acclaim. Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow has long been associated with lovely phrasing and bold truth-telling. In this film, we meet the man behind the legend—a devoted husband and loving father, whose seemingly perfect world is torn apart by tragedy. The movie is a production of [Sight & Sound Films](https://www.iheardthebellsmovie.com/) and will debut in theaters December 1 through 8 (with more dates possible) in connection with Fathom Events. > As one of America’s best-loved and recognized poets, Longfellow was the voice of culture in that moment of history. And as Sight & Sound’s first feature, it embodies our mission to tell true stories about historical figures whose lives changed the world because Christ first changed them. (Josh Enck, president and chief story officer for Sight & Sound)   Indeed, Longfellow’s conversion of heart is as critical to the film as the creation of the poem that would become the basis for a beloved Christmas carol. Through his eyes, audiences can see how tragedy can lead to triumph and how goodness, kindness, and the love of God win out in the end. Enck, who also served as the film’s director, added, “We’re honored to partner with Fathom Events to bring this redemptive story of faith to movie theaters this Christmas season. We can’t wait for people to experience this inspiring true story on the big screen.” Audiences who stay in the theater following the film will be treated to a special discussion with the director and cast. Tickets are available at [Fathom Events](https://www.fathomevents.com/events/I-Heard-The-Bells) or at theater box offices. In the end, [*I Heard the Bells*](https://www.iheardthebellsmovie.com/) speaks to the power of words to console amidst great heartache and grief, and of a loving God to make all things new again. > Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: > God is not dead, nor doth he sleep! > The Wrong shall fail, > The Right prevail, > With peace on earth, good-will to men!     ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20221121%20MGallagher%202.jpg?width=1080&height=1080&name=20221121%20MGallagher%202.jpg)   --- Copyright 2022 Maria V. Gallagher Images: courtesy of Sight & Sound Films, all rights reserved. Used with permission. Lyrics to "I Heard the Bells" are in the public domain. ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fi-heard-the-bells%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fi-heard-the-bells%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fi-heard-the-bells%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=I%20Heard%20the%20Bells) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fi-heard-the-bells%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fi-heard-the-bells%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Maria V. Gallagher](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/Contriubutors/MARIA%20V.%20GALLAGHER.jpeg) ### [Maria V. Gallagher](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/maria-v-gallagher) Maria V. Gallagher spends her days advocating for women, children, and families. She is the mother of a beautiful ballerina and a member of the worldwide Cursillo movement. In her spare time, Maria likes to blog, walk, sing, dance, and fill the room with laughter. Read her work at [MariaVGallagher.com](http://mariavgallagher.com). [**](http://twitter.com/mariaevitale) ## Related Blog Articles [ 'Christmas at the Cabin': A Movie with a Message Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/christmas-at-the-cabin-a-movie-with-a-message) [ Love Lessons in a Church Parking Lot Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/love-lessons-in-a-church-parking-lot) [ Feminism That Appreciates the Feminine Genius Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/feminism-that-appreciates-the-feminine-genius) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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