‘Downton Abbey’s Michelle Dockery & John Rhys-Davies Star in Stunning Faith-Based Documentary

Has the world missed one of the greatest female Christian artists of all time? Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey) and John Rhys-Davies (Lord of the Rings) help explore this question in the new documentary film Many Beautiful Things, about the nearly unknown Lilias Trotter.

According to a news release from DeMoss, Dockery, who played aristocratic Lady Mary in Downton Abbey, travels to the Victorian Era to tell the true story of a daring young woman who defied cultural norms after winning the favor of England’s top art critic of the day, John Ruskin.

Featuring the voices of Dockery (Lilias Trotter) and Davies (John Ruskin), Many Beautiful Thing stakes viewers on the journey of a prodigious, self-taught young female artist who finds herself torn between two desires—to strengthen her flourishing artistic talents or pursue a higher calling as a missionary serving marginalized women and children in North Africa.

John Rhys-Davies starred in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, as well as Indiana Jones.

Through dazzling animation and cinematography featuring original works by Trotter, the film challenges the faith community to question how much they are willing to sacrifice to serve God. Trotter’s history is shared through the eyes of Miriam Rockness, a self-made scholar in her early 70s who has become the world’s leading expert on the artist-turned-missionary after nearly 30 years of research.

The film debuts on Feb. 6 at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, with theatrical screenings taking place around the country Feb. 7 – 14., and Many Beautiful Things will be available to download and on DVD on International Women’s Day: March 8.

To learn more about the film or the screenings around the country, visit manybeautifulthings.com

About Many Beautiful Things

Many Beautiful Things: The Life and Vision of Lilias Trotter is directed by award-winning filmmaker Laura Waters Hinson (As We Forgive) and produced by Hisao Kurosawa, the son of legendary Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, with original music by Sleeping at Last.

About the Director

Directing her fourth documentary, Laura Waters Hinson is a filmmaker based in Washington. She is the founder of Image Bearer Pictures and produced As We Forgive, an inspiring film that discovered hope and forgiveness amid the tragic Rwandan Genocide. The film won the 2008 Student Academy Award for best documentary.

About the Score

Sleeping At Last is the moniker of Chicago singer-songwriter, producer and composer Ryan O’Neal. His music is featured in TV and film such as The Twilight Saga, The Fault in Our Stars, Grey’s Anatomy, Criminal Minds, Bones and more.