THE CROSS
A powerful, emotional, spiritually uplifting documentary for all ages.
Should You Watch It?
You should see The Cross if you want a documentary that does more than recount an extraordinary journey. It follows Arthur Blessitt, whose obedience to God led him to carry a cross through every continent and country for 40 years. The result is emotionally captivating, spiritually uplifting, and deeply centered on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The film celebrates dedication, humility, grace, and love under extreme circumstances. You may laugh with Arthur, and you may weep with him. The filmmaking has repetitive moments and multiple endings, but the whole is greater than its parts.
For Christians, this can be a profoundly motivating experience. You may leave wanting to take up your cross and follow Jesus wherever He leads you. The practical answer is simple: The Cross is worth seeing with your family.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESArthur Blessitt was a Christian preacher with a 1960s Jesus Movement café church on Sunset Boulevard. Though he had never worn a cross or thought much about it, he was called by God to make a full-size cross and carry it around the world.
What begins with others thinking Arthur is loony becomes a decades-long journey through war zones, crowded cities, deserts, jungles, Muslim countries, and places marked by poverty. Along the way, the cross opens doors for Arthur to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is an exceptional documentary experience. The Cross is surprisingly powerful, emotionally captivating, and spiritually uplifting. It reveals Arthur’s body, mind, and spirit while showing how his dedication to the Gospel touched thousands of lives.
The film’s emotional power is substantial. Viewers will laugh and weep with Arthur, and some moments are so moving that tears are difficult to hold back. It is also an incredible filmmaking achievement, even though it breaks some filmmaking rules through repetition and multiple endings.
The whole is much greater than its individual parts, and the project’s passion is evident throughout.
The Worldview
The Cross presents a very strong Christian worldview. Its central subject is a man obeying God by carrying a cross around the world and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The film portrays God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and it presents Arthur’s endurance as a process through which God shaped his humility, grace, and love.
The documentary exalts dedication to Christ, submission to God’s will, compassion for people, and courage in extreme circumstances. It shows Arthur entering dangerous and difficult places so he can pray with people and tell them about God. The story is not merely about Arthur carrying the cross; it is about what the cross did for Arthur.
The film’s central invitation aligns directly with Jesus’ call to discipleship: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong Christian worldview about a man carrying a Cross around the world; no foul language; documentary violence of police beating Christians, warfare in Lebanon, man tends the bodies of war victims, description of violent situations, but nothing excessive; no sexual activity but shots of sex joints near where person is carrying the cross and preaching; upper female nudity among Native South American Indians in very obscure documentary footage; some documentary footage of people smoking in the background; and, man describes disgusting foods such as soup made from the spittle of the women who cook it and monkey arm complete with hand, and man describes horrible toilet conditions and bodily worms.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Arthur carried the cross because he believed God called him to do it. How can you distinguish faithful obedience from simply pursuing your own idea?
James 1:5 · John 10:27The film shows Arthur sharing the Gospel with people in difficult places. What does it mean to be ready to give an answer for the hope within you?
1 Peter 3:15 · Matthew 28:19–20Arthur’s humility and love were formed through hardship. How can difficult circumstances shape Christian character?
Romans 5:3–5 · James 1:2–4Jesus tells His followers to take up their cross and follow Him. What might that look like in your family’s ordinary life?
Mark 8:34 · Galatians 2:20The Final Word
The Cross is an inspiring, emotionally powerful documentary about obedience, the Gospel, and the work God can do through one willing servant. Its filmmaking has a few structural flaws, but its message and impact are extraordinary. WORTH THE TRIP for families and Christians of all ages.
