History and Production Notes
In March, principal filming occurred at Castillo de Santa Bárbara in Alicante, with Antonio Banderas taking a central role as Herod for a segment of the production. Journey to Bethlehem, also known as Bethlehem Road, marks Adam Anders debuting as a director for this musical project. The production team has announced that the film, which showcases the castle across international markets, is slated for release in the United States according to the Alicante City Council, with a tentative date in November.
Current footage captured inside the historic fortress, particularly within the Felipe II room set, is already visible in the worldwide trailer distributed by the production company. The production has identified Castillo de Santa Bárbara as a primary setting for the story of a king and a castle, adding to the film’s visual identity.
Filming for this global project at Castillo de Santa Bárbara was paused for a week in March. The shoot involved around 240 people, including actors and technicians, with 120 extras sourced from Alicante. Approximately thirty local workers contributed across departments such as assembly, filming equipment, logistics, and catering.
History
Journey to Bethlehem narrates the nativity story through the lens of a musical. The cast was completed with prominent talent including Fiona Palomo, a well known actor from Malaga, portraying the Virgin Mary, while Milo Manheim takes on Saint Joseph. Banderas has earned acclaim across an international career, including an Oscar nomination, a Goya Award for Best Actor in 2021, and recognition at Cannes in 2019. The project has also earned nominations and awards from other major bodies, including possible Golden Globes recognition.
A scene from the film is featured in promotional materials.
This production marks Adam Anders’s directorial debut. Anders is known for producing and composing work on stage musicals and is linked with awards that celebrate creative excellence in music and performance. He described the idea as a long-held dream of presenting a Christmas musical that shines as brightly as the star of Bethlehem. The theme centers on bright, hopeful storytelling through song and spectacle.
Support to Alicante
The shooting at Castillo de Santa Bárbara drew the attention of local leadership. The mayor, Louis Barcala, along with the vice mayor, Mari Carmen Sánchez, visited the set in March and spoke with members of the crew including Banderas and Anders.
The Producer of “Glee” Chose Alicante for a New Movie
City officials highlighted Alicante’s growing appeal to major international productions. They stressed that hosting such projects places the city on the global radar, stimulating new opportunities and economic activity.
A promotional photo shows Banderas with Barcala and Sánchez during filming at the Santa Bárbara Castle in Alicante. The presence of a high-profile cast and crew underscores the potential for future productions to leverage local talent and settings.
The collaboration is seen as a significant boost for Alicante, given favorable weather, diverse filming locations, and the capacity of the Alicante Film Office to coordinate with the Tourism Board. Local authorities emphasized that the film industry has become a tourism asset, expanding as a steady growth pillar over recent years.