Liken
The Liken Series is a continuing musical based on events in the Old Testament and New Testament of the Bible, as well as stories from the Book of Mormon. The series is popular among many Latter-day Saint (LDS/Mormon) families.
Intended audience
According to the Liken website, "If you're concerned about what is going on in today's mainstream media, we think you'll like what you find here at Liken", because "we don't believe "family friendly" means it has to be boring." Further, "you'll find movies and music that will not only entertain your family, but uplift and inspire them as well."[1]
Reception
According to LDS Cinema Online, which reviews films from a Mormon perspective, "if you’re looking for spiritually challenging, deeply insightful cinema for adults, Liken is far from your ideal. Neither is any of these films a paragon of cinematic technique, acting, comedic or musical performance, etc. The films have their weaknesses to be sure", but "Whatever the case, the filmmakers have gotten something right. It’s a formula that catches kids’ attention and causes them to remember what they see".[2]
A Herald Extra writer wrote "From the beginning, the “Liken” films have been noted for their energetic, catchy music, which is a major element of “Jonah and the Great Fish."[3]
Characters
Characters are listed by movie release order. A full cast list is not included.
Dreamers
- Spencer
- Amelia
- Devon
- Chloe
Story Tellers
- Spencer's Primary teacher.
- Spencer's brother.
- Amelia's Parents.
- George (Butler to Amelia's family and later as Devon's Grandfather)
- Amelia's choir teacher.
- Missionaries
- Chloe's Father.
Episodes
Release Dates[4]
Old Testament
| Title | "Dreamer" | Story Teller | Protagonists | Antagonists | Songs | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David and Goliath | Spencer | Spencer's Dad | David | Goliath | I’m Gonna Be King, The Lord Sees What’s Inside, It’s Not That Easy Being King, Give Me Just One Chance, I am David, The Lord Sees What’s Inside (Reprise), I Am Goliath, The Lord Is My Shepherd, One Smooth Stone, I Used To Be Like You, One Little Light, Is He The One | 2005-03 |
| Esther and the King | Amelia | Amelia's Mother | Esther, Mordecai, King Ahasuerus, Most Servants | Haman, Haman’s Wife, Some Servants | There Is News, What More Could A King Want, Can You Love Me, Together, It’s Great To Be The King To Be, What Would I Give, A Little Bit More, Grateful, Can You Love Me (Reprise), There Is News (Finale) | 2006-03 |
| Daniel and the Lions | Devon (First Appearance) | George (Devon's Grandfather) | Daniel, King Darius, Angel, Servants, Lions | Other Presidents, Lions | I Need Professional Help, You Can’t Keep A Good Man Down, Because Of Thee, Give Us A Break, Meat’s on the Menu Tonight, What Have I Done, Victory, Peace, I’m A Vegetarian Now, Because of Thee (Reprise) | 2006-09 |
| Jonah and the Great Fish | Chloe (First Appearance) | Chloe's Father (First Appearance) | Jonah, The Great Fish, Small Fish | Jonah, Sharks, Ninevites | Whose Side Are You On?, Night of Nineveh, No Way, The Great Deep Blue, A Place Where I Belong, Because of You, Stout-Hearted Mariners, Thou Hast Brought Me Up, I'll Obey, A Heart That's Open | 2011-11 |
New Testament
| Title | "Dreamer" | Story Teller | Protagonists | Antagonists | Songs | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The First Christmas | Amelia | Amelia's Parents | Angel Gabriel, Mary, Joseph, Jesus, Wisemen | ??? | Joy to the World, Everything We Need, A Hand To Hold, Blessed (Mary), The Handmaid of the Lord, My Soul Doth Magnify The Lord, Blessed (Joseph), A Hand To Hold (Reprise), A Place For Him, Glory To God, He’s Born, Finale | 2005-11 |
Book of Mormon
| Title | "Dreamer" | Story Teller | Protagonists | Antagonists | Songs | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nephi And Laban | Spencer Anderson (First Appearance) | Spencer's Primary Teacher (First Appearance) | Nephi, Lehi, Sam, Sarah | Laban, Laman, Lemuel | Life Could Not Be Better, His Arms Around You, I Love My Things, Here Waiting, Thy Arms Around Me (plus a Reprise & Ballad) | 2003-09 |
| Ammon and Lamoni | Spencer Anderson | McKay Anderson (First Appearance) | Ammon, Abish, Lamoni, Servants | Lamanite Robbers (Off-Screen), Brother of Robber’s Leader | This Light / It’s Always Been this Way, A Mighty Change of Heart, I Know That I Must Change / A Mighty Change of Heart (Duet), We Are Dead, We’re Alive, Uprising, Finale | 2004-09 |
| Alma and King Noah's Court | Amelia (First Appearance), Spencer (Offscreen) | McKay Anderson (Missionary) & Companion (Not Speaking Part) | Alma, Abinadi | King Noah, Wicked Priests | Just Say Yes (Performed & a Capella), Something More, We Are The Best / Turn Unto The Lord, It’s All Right, Turn Unto The Lord (Reprise), Turn Unto The Lord (2nd Reprise) / He Must Die, All He Asks Me / Something More (Reprise), Something More (2nd Reprise), All He Asks Me (Reprise), All He Asks Me (Finale). | 2005-09 |
| Samuel the Lamanite | Amelia | Amelia's Choir Teacher | Samuel, Nephi, Lehi, Misc. People | School’s Superintendent, N.A.C., Misc. People | All’s Well in Zion, Lonely, The N.A.C., Look to the Light, His Love, Another Year, Enough, The Time Has Come, His Love (Reprise) | 2006-09 |
Notable Cast
| Name | Occupation | Best Known | Movie | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Boye | Actor/Singer | * Private Perry in Saints and Soldiers: The Void * Heavenly Host in Saturday's Warrior * Singer specializing in both LDS music and popular songs (with an African twist) | David and Goliath | Abinidab |
| Thurl Bailey | Public Speaker/Broadcast Analyst/Actor/Singer | * NBA player for the Utah Jazz (1983-1991; 1999) and the Minnesota Timberwolves (1991-1994) | David and Goliath | Goliath |
| Summer Naomi Smart | Actress | * Kerra McConnell in Passage to Zarahemla | Esther and the King | Esther |
| Larry Bagby | Actor/Musician | * Ernie/"Ice" in Hocus Pocus * Marshall Grant in Walk the Line | Nephi and Laban | Laman |
| Kaycee Stroh | Actress/Singer/Dancer | * Martha Cox in High School Musical, High School Musical 2, and High School Musical 3: Senior Year | Ammon and Lamoni | Dancer |
| Brady Bluhm | Actor | * Billy in 4C in Dumb and Dumber and Dumb and Dumber To * Christopher Robin in three Winnie the Pooh films (1997-1999) | Alma and King Noah's Court | Elder Johansen (non-speaking role) |
| Dallyn Vail Bayles | Actor/Singer | * Hyrum Smith in Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration
* Hyrum Smith in Emma Smith: My Story |
Alma and King Noah's Court
|
Alma
Joseph
|
| Casey Elliot[5] | Singer/Actor | •Member of Gentri music group | Daniel and The Lion's Den | Daniel |
References
- "Liken Series". Welcome to the World of Liken. Lightstone Pictures. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
- "LDS Cinema Online". Why I’m Likin’ Liken… Like a Lichen. motleyvision.org. August 23, 2010. Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
- "Whale of a tale: Newest 'Liken' the Scriptures' DVD sleeps with the fishes". Whale of a Tale. heraldextra.com. December 10, 2011. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
- "Liken The Scriptures DVDs". Lightstone Media. December 25, 2011. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
- "Casey Elliott". IMDb. Retrieved August 6, 2021.