“Close your eyes, but keep your mind wide open.”

Imagination is a wonderful thing. It leads us to places and events far beyond our experience. It allows us to dream and to hope. Movies and books often tie into our imaginations to help us on our way to these strange and wonderful places. Imagination can seem like an escape from reality, but often imagination provides the hope that allows us to move to a new way of living.



Bridge to Terabithia is about the power of imagination to transform life. The film is based on a book written by a former missionary (she is also the daughter of missionaries) based on an experience in the life of her son. Her son is one of the screenwriters and producers of the film. He has an interest in maintaining the integrity of the story—sometimes a difficult chore in the transition from book to film.



The film tells the story of Jesse Aarons, whose dream is to be the fastest boy in fifth grade. When school starts and the big race comes, he gets out into the lead, only to be passed by a new girl in school, Leslie Burke. It turns out they are neighbors, and in time develop a friendship. When they find a rope that swings across a creek, they go over and establish their own imaginary land—Terabithia.



Both Jesse and Leslie are outsiders. Jesse comes from a poor family, the only son with four sisters. His father is distant from him, but seems much warmer with his sisters. Jesse is also an artist. His passion is drawing, and he has a talent for it. His father sees his art as a waste of time. Leslie’s parents have plenty of money, but they too are often distant, busy with their own art, writing. Leslie also has a penchant for stories, which has been developed through reading. The family has no TV—a fact that makes her a laughingstock in school.

Leslie opens Jesse’s inner eye to the world that can be discovered in our imagination. In time he becomes just as able to see the “reality” of Terabithia as Leslie has always been able to see it.



When tragedy comes, Jesse is able to move on in his life because of the strength he has found during his time in Terabithia.

There is a Catch 22 involved in films about imagination. Imagination has to do with that which is not seen. But how can you show imagination in a visual medium without actually stifling imagination? Although there are special effects, Bridge to Terabithia tries to hold the visual aspects to a minimum. They certainly could have done much more with computer graphics to show us the various things the children imagined. But the filmmakers have allowed room for us to use our own imaginations.

Walden Media, one of the production companies involved in the film, has been very active lately in making film versions of children’s books: Holes, Because of Winn Dixie, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, and Charlotte’s Web. Adaptations often bring criticism from those who have loved the books.

This film has several augmentations and a few omissions from the book. Some of those are helpful, and some (as is always the case with adaptations) are unfortunate. There was one omission that I found somewhat disheartening. In the book, the children come across a grove of trees in which they sense, in their childlike way, the holy. They recognize this as a sacred place—only to be visited in times of great joy or deep sorrow. In this place, their spirits pray with simple, but serious yearning for the sacred. Even in their imaginations, they understood that there was something beyond themselves. This aspect is missing in the film, hence eliminating a sizable part of the spiritual aspect of the book.

The film does include some of the spiritual layer of the book. Leslie, who is much better at imagining, hasn’t been to church before. When she goes one week with Jesse and his family, she finds it all beautiful, while Jesse and his sister find the judgmental lessons they have heard and the threat of Hell frightening. Just as with Terabithia, Leslie sees far more than her companions.

The film does satisfactorily capture most of the spirit of the book. It would be good for people, especially children who will see the film, to also take the time to read the book, because in reading the book, we are able to see our own version of Terabithia, and exercise our own imaginations in ways that film, by its visual nature, does not allow.

Imagination needs to be a part of anyone’s life. Often it brings light into darkness and joy into sorrow. Just as imagination fuels our dreams and hopes, it also is important for us as we seek God, who is not seen with the eye. Keep your mind wide open.