A cast of more than 300, filming in 20 locations with animation, special effects and even some magic. These are the ingredients of an epic international film, not usually a Jewish educational undertaking.

But this epic film project,Power of Speech, has different goals. Instead of creating a blockbuster to whisk the audience away to a fantasy world, Torah Live’s educational film crew has created a massive motion picture to wake viewers up to reality. Through “The Lost Light” and “Power of Words,” audiences understand that they themselves are the heroes of a real-life drama that can affect the world.

Words can build. Words can destroy. As we approach Tisha B’Av, our greatest hopes are to rebuild the Beis HaMikdash and strengthen our nation. This mission is at the heart of the first film in the series, “The Lost Light” – and is so appropriate for these days leading up to Tisha B’Av.

“The Lost Light” aims to train its audience to see the good. In fact, Torah Live actually took over a train car for a full day of filming in order to explore the pitfalls and possibilities of Shmiras HaLashon (guarding one’s speech). Riding repeatedly back and forth from Jerusalem to Herzliya, a mix of passengers, worthy of an Agatha Christie story, each play a role in producing more darkness or light, according to their words and behaviors.

The train was only one of 20 locations for “The Lost Light.” The film created its own girls’ high school, a lavish catered bar mitzvah affair, a garden-party sheva brachot, a science lab complete with laboratory equipment, simchas and shiurim, several hi-tech offices and more.

Animation and special effects abound in “The Lost Light,” where the chronicles of the once bright light are recorded inside a magic book, fashioned from carved wood, aged leather and parchment, which turns its own pages and writes its own history. In addition, photos in specially designed newspapers come to life in Harry Potter-esque fashion; LED watches beep to warn of possible loshon hara; and cartoon figures comment on the negative speech of the actors.

Equally spectacular is the second part of Power of Speech series, “The Power of Words.” Helpful and hurtful words literally fly out of the actors’ mouths, changing the lives of our characters for good or bad. Rabbits jump out of hats, Rabbi Roth interviews a psychologist and animation brings Talmudic stories to life.

Finally, just as every mega-action film culminates in a battle scene, Rabbi Roth invites his Torah Live audience to join the struggle for good, and become “spiritual soldiers, trained to walk away from the darkness and into the light.” It can begin as easily as signing up at torahlive.com and viewing Power of Speech for free.

Make your Three Weeks and Tisha B’Av even more meaningful with POWER OF SPEECH. And continue through the year to watch our exciting films and explore our Torah Live world of mitzvos in a new blockbuster way.