The Hunt for the Hidden Relic (2002)

A German archaeological excavation in Israel finds a 2,000-year-old skeleton holding instructions for a video camera - results of an apparent time traveler who recorded footage of Jesus Christ.

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

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

read it before you watch it

if you love the book, the movie is good to see to make a comparison. People who do not know the original novel, most likely, will not enjoy the movie. It's flat, died-and-ran-away, and "what is it all about?". I agree you can't make a good 2,5h motion picture out of excellent! >600 pages twist and turn (and "make me think") story. Watch it on your own risk, but don't come back and complain until you read the original. ...

well done from technical side..., no complains about actors'es play, pity the director focused only on "run for your life" scenes, but as it seems a quite low budget movie (so don't expect any FX to remember), sounds as a nice event for an evening (if you red a book before - otherwise go and see "Mummy ..." series"). Veni, Vidi, flushed....

I loved to see it as the book is in my Top 10 "Sci-Fi" list.... go and spend a week to find what is it all about.

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