Friends and Heroes
Friends and Heroes is a Christian children's program that airs on TBN, Smile of a Child TV, and was also shown on BBC TV. The show is both traditionally animated and computer animated. It takes place from 69 - 71 AD. There are three series each of 13 Episodes: Series 1 is set in Alexandria, Egypt; Series 2 in Jerusalem and Series 3 in Rome. The series was created by Brian D. Brown and Eric J. Danenberg, who also worked on The Storykeepers.
Cast spotlight
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Ep 1Long Journey
In the bustling marketplace of Alexandria we meet Samuel and Macky. Soon they encounter two young refugee girls who have stowed away aboard a ship from Galilee and are being pursued by Roman soldiers. Macky and his family risk their safety and defy the Romans by taking the sisters into their home. Samuel tells the story of Daniel in the Lions’ Den to encourage the family not to be afraid - and Macky learns that violence is not the answer. When the girls are captured, Macky reminds everyone how Jesus demonstrated his power with a Miraculous Catch of Fish before calling his followers to leave everything and follow him. This motivates Samuel to help Macky spring a daring raid on the prison to free the girls.
Ep 2A Friend in High Places
Macky rescues a snobbish, aristocratic Roman girl, Portia, from her runaway horse and she is so fascinated with Macky and the whole world of Alexandria’s Delta Quarter ghetto, that she returns and hires Diana to make a dress for her - at the Governor’s palace! Rebecca is horrified that a Roman should enter their lives and uses the story of how Delilah led Samson astray to warn against being corrupted by foreign ways. But Macky senses there is more to Portia than they have seen so far. Diana teaches the youngsters the value of tolerance through the story of Peter’s friendship with Cornelius, the Roman Centurion - and with help from their new Roman friend Portia, the gang thwart an extortion scheme run by Tobias and his sergeant, Brutacus.
Ep 3Leviathan
A giant warship docks in Alexandria harbour and Macky learns from Portia that the ship’s mission is to attack the rebels resisting the Romans in Galilee. Macky inspires his neighbour, the young genius Sollie, with the story of David and Goliath. Sollie comes up with a plan to sink the ship. When Macky and Samuel are captured and imprisoned on the doomed ship, the story of how God released Peter from prison encourages them never to give up hope. As a result of the heroic destruction of the ship, its Roman architect decides to stay away from objects of war.
Ep 4False Heroes
Macky and the family take a risk and give shelter to two men they think are fugitive rebels, brothers Caleb and Aaron. The story of Rahab teaches the family, and Portia, about caring for strangers. Aaron is very sick, and to nurse him Diana needs to cool his raging fever. Disguised as musicians, Macky and Samuel venture into the Governor’s palace to bring back ice from a lavish Roman banquet. When the sickness looks serious, the story of how Peter raised Tabitha back to life encourages Caleb never to give up hope for his brother. We’re left in suspense at the end of the Episode when it’s discovered that Caleb and Aaron are actually dangerous criminals.
Ep 5True Heroes
Caleb and Aaron are trying to escape Alexandria. Meanwhile, after intelligence reports of refugee rebels entering the city by sea, Tiberius orders the famous lighthouse extinguished, threatening the lives of many innocent fishermen too. Macky is inspired by the story of Gideon not to feel defeated by the might of the Romans. Portia, Diana and the girls make a desperate, dizzying descent from the top of the lighthouse as they take a stand against Aaron. Together they must find a way to re-illuminate the dangerous shore. Samuel’s telling of the well-known Christmas Story - where the Good News was first told to lowly shepherds - turns Caleb and Aaron from criminals into heroes.
Ep 6Sweet Freedom
Macky and the gang want to rescue some slaves who are forced to work, shackled, in the Roman granary, but their friends and neighbours are worried about the repercussions. Sollie’s mother, Miriam, challenges them by telling the story of Moses beating the Egyptian slave master, and Macky soon finds he has enough support to help the slaves. Once rescued, the slaves must be hidden from the Romans, and Marx Brothers-style havoc ensues as Diana - theatrical wardrobe mistress - hides them right under the Romans’ noses at the theatre. The story of how Paul was changed on the Damascus Road gives Macky hope that even the Romans might one day change - and slavery will disappear.
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