The Body (2001)

A crucified body dated back to the first century A.D is uncovered at an ancient cave in Jerusalem. Trouble ensues as word spreads.

Director:

Jonas McCord

Writers:

Richard Sapir (novel) (as Richard Ben Sapir), Jonas McCord (screenplay)

Stars:

Antonio Banderas, Olivia Williams, John Shrapnel

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Antonio Banderas	...	Father Matt Gutierrez
Olivia Williams	...	Sharon Golban
John Shrapnel	...	Moshe Cohen
Derek Jacobi	...	Father Lavelle
Jason Flemyng	...	Father Walter Winstead
Lillian Lux	...	Mother
John Wood	...	Cardinal Pesci
Makram Khoury	...	Nasir Hamid (as Makram J. Khoury)
Vernon Dobtcheff	...	Monsignor
Ian McNeice	...	Dr. Sproul
Mohammad Bakri	...	Abu Yusef (as Muhamed Bakri)
Yoav Dekelbaum	...	Avi (as Yoav Deckelbaum)
Sami Samir	...	Achmed
Jordan Licht	...	Dorene
Limor Goldstein	...	Galic

Storyline

An ancient skeleton has been discovered in Jerusalem in a rich man's tomb. Coloration of the wrist and leg bones indicates the cause of death was crucifiction. Other signs, include a gold coin bearing the marks of Pontius Pilate and faint markings around the skull, lead authorities to suspect that these could be the bones of Jesus. Politicians, clerics, religious extremists, and those using terror as a means to an end, find their beliefs and identities tested while risking their lives to unearth the truth.

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Plot Keywords:

jerusalem | cave | tomb | skull | street shootout | 

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Taglines:

Chaos, unearthed.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some violent sequences and brief language

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie had been in development for fifteen years, with Universal Pictures intending to distribute and Liam Neeson set to star. In the end, the project was dropped after Universal became nervous about the religious themes.

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Goofs

After Sharon's kids are kidnapped by Nasir, the vehicle is seen driving through the Judean desert which is south - east of Jerusalem. However, Abu Yusef's hiding place is actually located about 60km to the north west, at a site called Migdal Afek, near the town of Rosh Ha-Ayn in the center of Israel (surrounding towns can be glimpsed in a few shots).

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Quotes

[Reading from Father Gutierrez's file]
Cardinal Pesci: I believe that Jesus Christ is God because I spoke to Him this morning in my prayers. And I've known that He was God since I was a boy. He has always been my best friend even though I haven't always been His. In Him, I have peace.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Freddy Got Fingered/The Body/Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles/The Center of the World/Keep the River on Your Right (2001)

User Reviews

Very good film, underrated, 7.5

I give it a 7.5, good movie, could have been made into a 10 if more $$$ and care were put in it. Interesting scenario for discussing, especially if you believe in God. What "would" happen if someone today claimed they found "THE BODY"? I think weakness lies in that not enough theories were offered to disbunk the idea that it was "indeed" THE BODY. The fact that while watching I thought of a lot of good arguments against the case and the movie didn't address them with some kind of supposed "proof" they find made it a bit weak. Anyway, good movie, go watch it unless you hate movies with any religious topics.

Details

Country:

USA Israel Germany

Language:

English Arabic Hebrew

Release Date:

13 December 2001 (Germany)

Also Known As:

El cuerpo

Filming Locations:

Israel

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$19,988, 22 April 2001

Gross USA:

$36,849

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$280,777

Company Credits

Production Co:

Avalanche Films, Compass Productions, Diamant Cohen Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1