Risen (2016)

In 33 AD, a Roman Tribune in Judea is tasked to find the missing body of Jesus Christ, who rose from the dead.

Director:

Kevin Reynolds

Writers:

Kevin Reynolds (screenplay), Paul Aiello (screenplay)

Stars:

Joseph Fiennes, Tom Felton, Peter Firth

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joseph Fiennes	...	Clavius
Tom Felton	...	Lucius
Peter Firth	...	Pilate
Cliff Curtis	...	Yeshua
María Botto	...	Mary Magdalene (as Maria Botto)
Luis Callejo	...	Joses
Antonio Gil	...	Joseph of Arimathea
Richard Atwill	...	Polybius
Stewart Scudamore	...	Peter
Andy Gathergood	...	Quintus
Stephen Hagan	...	Bartholomew
Mish Boyko	...	John
Jan Cornet	...	Thomas / Dydimus
Joe Manjón	...	Simon the Canaanite (as Joe Manjon)
Pepe Lorente	...	Thaddeus

Storyline

Follows the epic Biblical story of the Resurrection, as told through the eyes of a non-believer. Clavius, a powerful Roman Military Tribune, and his aide Lucius, are tasked with solving the mystery of what happened to Yahshua in the weeks following the crucifixion, in order to disprove the rumors of a risen Messiah and prevent an uprising in Jerusalem.

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Plot Keywords:

biblical | roman soldier | tomb | resurrection | ascension day | 

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Taglines:

Witness the manhunt that changed the course of human history

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for Biblical violence including some disturbing images

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 February 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

Clavius

Filming Locations:

Malta

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,801,271, 21 February 2016, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$36,874,745, 15 May 2016

Company Credits

Production Co:

LD Entertainment, Affirm Films, Columbia Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 2013, Kevin Reynolds was set as a director for the planned project The Resurrection of Jesus Christ, a mystery thriller film and an unofficial sequel to The Passion of the Christ (2004) set to depict the events surrounding the 40 days following Christ's resurrection in a script written by Paul Aiello.

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Goofs

Early in the film, Clavius is depicted alongside many Roman soldiers doing battle with zealots just outside Jerusalem, led by a man named Barabbas. Assuming this Barabbas is likely the same zealot mentioned in the New Testament freed by Pontius Pilate in place of the condemned Yeshua, there is no realistic way for him to have been in both places (being freed from the Fortress Antonia and doing battle with Romans in the desert) at the same time, as this could have only happened a few hours prior to the start of the film.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Inn Keeper: Roman, huh? That's a Tribune's ring?
Clavius: Yes.
Inn Keeper: Have you come far?
Clavius: [narrating as he remembers a battle in Judea] Thirty years the Roman Emperor Tiberius Caesar has ruled the wasteland of Judea and its people. As Tribune to Prefect Ponpiu Pilate, my task is to keep order in a city that is steeped in unrest. The Jews pray to their single God, Yahweh, for the arrival of the mystical Messiah. As their religious leader, the Sanhedrin try to keep an uneasy peace. But each day creates more ...

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Connections

Referenced in Midnight Screenings: The Witch/Risen (2016)

User Reviews

Enjoyable if not inspired Biblical adaptation.

For a fallen-down Catholic boy like me, seeing Risen, a take on the weeks after Christ's Resurrection, should have offered me a year's supply of cynicism. As it turns out, the film was a pleasant trip back to the days when I did believe, when awe was a companion of my faith.

This uninspired Biblical thriller shows a powerful Roman tribune, Flavius (an underplaying to good effect Joseph Fiennes), ordered by Pilate (Peter Firth) to get rid of the Nazarene, and after His resurrection, find Him, and kill Him again. With restraint, director Kevin Reynolds makes even me a brief believer because the actors, from Cliff Curtis (Yeshua--Jesus) to Mary Magdalene (Maria Botto), play their roles with a natural affection that's supported by no swelling music or dazed looks.

But it's Fiennes who impressed me most: As he plays a character who is probably meant to be a surrogate for doubters like me in the audience, he actually makes us believers for the moment. So dedicated he is to proving this Messiah a hoax that his growing belief becomes a balm for our disbelief.

Beyond this nicely played worship is a set that looks like it came from a hundred other "B" movie sword and sandal epics. Yet, the underplayed plot, which pretty much follows the New Testament depiction of Christ's resurrection, has a quiet charm that reminds us of the Biblical text that needs no resurrection: It is with us forever.