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 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. 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:

To find the truth, he will risk his life and challenge his faith

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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

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

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

When Sharon leaves Matt where he is supposed to stay in Jerusalem, we can see a sign on the wall that reads "Couvent Dominican SAINT-ETIENNE 1884" (i.e. St Stephen's Dominican Convent, 1884). Actually, the brown metallic gate that we can see opens to the Franciscan Convent of Dominus Flevit (cf. the small sign on the right at the end of the shot). There is a Dominican Convent in Jerusalem called Saint-Etienne but close to Damascus Gate and not on the Mount of Olives, as shown in the movie.

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Quotes

Moshe Cohen: Religion is not based on rational system of proofs. It survives because of human need.

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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.