Genre: drama, action
Director: Kevin Reynolds
Screenplay by: Kevin Reynolds, Paul Aiello
Story by: Paul Aiello
Produced by: Mickey Leddell, Patrick Aiello, Pete Shilaimon
Executive producers: Robert Huberman, Scott Holroyd
Run Time: 1hr 47mins
Cast: Joseph Fiennes, Tom Felton, Peter Firth, Cliff Curtis
Rating: M
In a time of rising rebellions, the truth is sometimes closer than it seems.
Clavius, a Roman Tribune and Pilate's right hand man, returns from battling Barrabas' band of rebels to find that a crucifixion has been rushed through, in time for the beginning of the Sabbath. He is sent to Golgotha to hurry the death progress of the crucified men and is interrupted by a looming dark sky and earthquake. This is no ordinary crucifixion and it is these thoughts that follow Clavius as the events of the following days unfold.
When heaven and earth collide, Pilate has been made to believe that this King of the Jews is leading a revolt against the government and rumours of his imminent resurrection will cause an army to rise up against him.
In order to squash these attempts and in the hope of dissolving the popularity of Jesus, all efforts are put in place, led by the Jewish leaders, to secure and guard the tomb in order that no disciples or followers of Jesus would be able to stage a disappearance of the body.
Three days later, when it is reported that the seals have been broken and the boulder has been removed quite a distance from the entrance, Jewish leaders and the Roman government move quickly to keep secret what really happened to his body.
Clavius is ordered to find Jesus and return him to Pilate and throughout this desperate quest, Clavius could never have predicted the shocking truths that would be revealed to him.
Joseph Fiennes is impressive to say the least in his role as Clavius. His deep focussed eyes, convince the viewer of his role in this place in history and the ease with which his co-actors slide into their roles, makes you feel like you have an intimate viewing of something very special.
Cliff Curtis played a convincing role of Jesus. He was not your shining, clean cut, combed hair version, but rather, he blended with the crowd until the camera took the viewer to him and revealed a man who had a knowledge, ease and love for people deeper than can be explained.
The cinematography is to be commended. The scene on Lake Galilee is a treat to the eyes. The moon reflecting on the water in the depths of the night is calming and beautiful. It is a pleasant retrieve after the strong fighting and intense crucifixion scenes beforehand. These crucifixion scenes, however, convincingly depicted the rawness of a dirty and broken down area of town where executions would have been carried out. It is not prettied up for aesthetic appeal, instead it is more likely accurate in its creation of what would have been.
I struggle to find words for this movie, not because there are none, but rather, there are none that will do it justice. Instead of words, I am left with a feeling. A feeling that I have just witnessed an historical event through the eyes of those closest to it, through their intimate conversations and slightest expressions. A feeling that I have just met someone I have always known but never seen. A feeling that something inside of me has changed and I just can't put my finger on it.
I highly recommend this movie and rate it a 5/5. It is suitable for a mature audience due to violence and death scenes.
RISEN - IN CINEMAS NOW
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Sony Pictures Releasing partnering with Heritage Films
Rebecca and her husband Tony, have four children and live on the Sunshine Coast, Australia. Rebecca loves writing children stories, interest articles and teaching piano. She is grateful for a God who loves us.
Rebecca Moore's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/rebecca-moore.html