The Body (2001)

A crucified body dated back to the 1st 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 wins.

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. Colouration 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 Christ. Politicians, clerics, religious extremists and those using terror as a means to an end, find their beliefs and identities test 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:

If this is His tomb... If this is the truth... It would change history and destroy the belief of millions

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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

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, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$33,565, 29 April 2001

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film had been in development for 15 years, with Universal going to distribute and Liam Neeson set to star. In the end, the project was dropped after Universal became nervous about the film's 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

Tomb Wall: Please God take my son David, as you took your own son Jesus.

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Freddy Got Fingered/Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles/The Body (2001)

User Reviews

Why the great disparity of ratings here?

Usually I am quite critical of films, especially Hollywood action films in the line of "The Body". I DID like this one and think it is under-rated but look at the reviews here and you will see extremes of hating and liking this film. This is odd, and I wonder if it has to do with the religious background of those making comments? I have put off renting this film for over a year, due to the low IMDB rating, and was very surprised to find a good solid performance of Antonio Banderas as a priest, decent dialogue, nice eye candy and acting of Olivia Williams, and an intelligent (well, for such an action flick anyhow) thought-provoking story.