I'm normally not drawn to faith-based films, but I'm glad I ended up seeing this one. It's told in a non-preachy way, and if one can put their religious prejudices aside, I think the movie can be an absorbing watch.
Joseph Fiennes commands the screen here in a superb performance as Clavius, a loyal and intrepid Roman Tribune in Judea, in the year 33 A.D.. He's dispatched by Prefect Pontius Pilate (Peter Firth) to locate the body of Yeshua (Cliff Curtis) after his crucifixion and subsequent disappearance from his burial tomb. Rumors are rampant among the subjugated Judean people that Yeshua has risen from the dead and reappeared in human form thereafter. Pilate fears this will further incite insurrection among the Judeans, and with Emperor Tiberius Caesar visiting shortly he needs calm to be restored to the area.
However, when Clavius finally tracks down Yeshua's disciples, he will find certain miracles that occur before him. This will trigger a journey and a quest on his part to try and reconcile in his mind what exactly is the truth.
All in all, this very well presented movie, directed by Kevin Reynolds, who co-wrote the script with Paul Aiello, was, as some reviewers have noted, not what I expected and was for me a surprisingly good watch.
Joseph Fiennes commands the screen here in a superb performance as Clavius, a loyal and intrepid Roman Tribune in Judea, in the year 33 A.D.. He's dispatched by Prefect Pontius Pilate (Peter Firth) to locate the body of Yeshua (Cliff Curtis) after his crucifixion and subsequent disappearance from his burial tomb. Rumors are rampant among the subjugated Judean people that Yeshua has risen from the dead and reappeared in human form thereafter. Pilate fears this will further incite insurrection among the Judeans, and with Emperor Tiberius Caesar visiting shortly he needs calm to be restored to the area.
However, when Clavius finally tracks down Yeshua's disciples, he will find certain miracles that occur before him. This will trigger a journey and a quest on his part to try and reconcile in his mind what exactly is the truth.
All in all, this very well presented movie, directed by Kevin Reynolds, who co-wrote the script with Paul Aiello, was, as some reviewers have noted, not what I expected and was for me a surprisingly good watch.