The Hunt for the Hidden Relic (2002)

Steffen Vogt is helping out at a German archaeological excavation in Israel when he finds a 2,000-year-old skeleton holding the instructions for a video camera dating from the year 2003. ... See full summary »

Director:

Sebastian Niemann

Writers:

Andreas Eschbach (novel), Martin Ritzenhoff

Stars:

Matthias Koeberlin, Naike Rivelli, Manou Lubowski

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matthias Koeberlin	...	Steffen
Naike Rivelli	...	Sharon
Manou Lubowski	...	Yehoshua
Hans Diehl	...	Scafaro
Dietrich Hollinderbäumer	...	John Kaun
Heinrich Giskes	...	Professor Willfort
Robinson Reichel	...	Roland Jung
Klaus Grünberg	...	Man with broken nose
Pierre Semmler	...	Christopher
Frank Scharl	...	Ryan
Mario Holetzeck	...	Dan
Gode Benedix	...	Dr. Simmon (as Gode Bendix)
Torsten Jerabek	...	Agent 1
Andreas Cremer	...	Agent 2
Dounia Tazi	...	Ausgrabungshelferin

Storyline

Steffen Vogt is helping out at a German archaeological excavation in Israel when he finds a 2,000-year-old skeleton holding the instructions for a video camera dating from the year 2003. The bones also show traces of the present day. His theory of a time-traveler who made a video of Jesus is laughed at by everyone, however, including Sharon, an attractive Israeli woman he adores. Although no one appears to believe him, his find certainly seems to have generated interest: Steffen is attacked shortly afterwards in his hotel room by strange men; then he discovers that the German embassy and the secret service are after him; and when his friend Dan is murdered, he goes into hiding. His only true ally is Sharon. Steffen's theory seems to be correct: financier and time-travel expert Kaun turns up at the excavations in person and carries out several elaborate subterranean measurements at the Wailing Wall where he believes the camera has been hidden. He is assisted by the head of the ...

---

Plot Keywords:

excavation | german | time traveler | camera | video camera | 

---

Taglines:

An adventure that started 2000 years ago...

---

Genres:

Action | Thriller | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Fantasy

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence

Details

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

5 December 2002 (Germany)

Also Known As:

The Hunt for the Hidden Relic

Filming Locations:

Casablanca, Morocco

Box Office

Budget:

$4,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Medienfonds GFP, Rat Pack Filmproduktion

Technical Specs

Runtime:

182 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the two helicopters on the chase near the end, the white and orange one, has a Spanish registration number: EC-FJA. Just some months after the release of the movie, this helicopter suffered an accident while performing fire-fighting tasks. Fortuntelly, all 7 on board escaped unharmed, but the main rotor caught fire and the whole aircraft was destroyed on this new fire.

---

Goofs

The imprint of the second page should have appeared mirrored.

---

Connections

Version of Jesus Video 3D

User Reviews

Better than the book; worse than the book

This is not another Nazi film, although is is German, and it is eerily similar to Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Based upon a novel by Andreas Eschbach, you get two contrasting opinions on the film compared to the book. At over three hours, you will think you are reading a novel, rather than watching a film.

It is a suspense thriller/time-travel movie. Archaeologists find bones that are carbon dated at 2000 years, but there are amalgam fillings in the teeth and a rod in the leg that can only be seven years old. In addition, there is a plastic bag withe instructions for a video camera that is not even on the market.

Only one explanation, and the German title, Das Jesus Video, gives a better clue to what was going on.

While the archaeologists are trying to decipher the riddle, there is a group led by a man in a secret organization descended from the Spanish Inquisition, much like Silas in The Da Vinci Code. Both have no qualms about killing for Jesus.

Lots of action, and great stunt work, along with blood and torture, as the two groups go after the video camera that allegedly has the face of Jesus. Some surprises at the end, as expected, which add to the mystery.