If you have seen it, I would be interested in your impressions.
From the website:
Risen is the epic Biblical story of the Resurrection, as told through the eyes of a non-believer. Clavius (Joseph Fiennes), a powerful Roman military tribune, and his aide, Lucius (Tom Felton), are tasked with solving the mystery of what happened to Jesus in the weeks following the crucifixion, in order to disprove the rumors of a risen Messiah and prevent an uprising in Jerusalem.
http://sites.sonypictures.com/risen/site/
12 comments:
Good film. Doesn't seem to have an angle, just assumes the resurrection and what it would look like to an outsider. Fairly strictly biblical, and where it strays from the gospel out of narrative requirement, it follows the non-cannon traditions and suppositions of the early church. The beginning is a little confusing, just go with it, you're jumping into the story at an odd, non-traditional point. Best part is Bartholomew's capture, he gets the Tribune to promise his release if he tells him where the other followers of the Nazarene are and his reply is epic, and not just a little IIIper.
We saw it when it was in the theaters and thought it was a good movie. It gets you thinking about what it must have been like to be a witness to this from the standpoint of someone removed from the triangle of the 12 disciples, the pharisees, and and Pilate. An impartial observer who sees things he can't explain.
It starts out just as described, and you see the death of Christ. Clavius witnesses it and sees how Christ affected everyone present, then is tasked with solving the mystery of what happened to the body. Along the way, he confronts things that are simply inexplicable and then meets and talks with Christ himself.
If you're looking for a reenactment of scripture, you'll be disappointed, but if you like the idea of seeing what it must have been like for someone who wasn't Jewish or a follower, it's a good story.
Watched it a few days ago; very good movie. Nicely done without butchering Scripture. Worth renting/owning.
It seemed very sincere to me, a genuine attempt to cause people to think about the resurrection. I was a bit disappointed with some of the anachronisms involved, especially the sealing of the tomb with wax and ropes and an official seal press. I enjoyed the message, but, I was a bit uncomfortable with the mannerisms of the actor portraying the savior. I guess I picture Jesus as being very approachable, and infinitely loving, but also, with a gravitas and understanding that I didn't perceive in this portrayal. It felt just a bit too 'hippy' to me, but, that's just my feeling, not gospel.
Overall, I enjoyed it very much, as did my wife.
FSHB
I must say that I was pleasantly surprised that not only was it an enjoyable movie, I didn't see anything that stuck out to me as contrary to what is depicted in the Bible. Oh sure, there were things that were not specifically stated in God's Word, but I didn't see anything that contradicted it. I only saw it once, so maybe I missed something. I will look forward to seeing it again. By the way: Thank you for what you are doing!
Saw it in the theater in February. Good movie. Great deal of sincerity.
I've seen it. Let's put it this way... "Blessed are those who have not seen, and believe."
If anyone knows anything about the Roman soldiers, they were a tough nut to crack. Also note, he is just like us. Wants to rise, live in luxury, has his aspirations... as Roman citizen.
Anyhow, good movie.
Curtis
Rotten Tomatoes provides the invaluable service of comparing aggregated critic reviews to an score generated by the viewing public. For most non-controversial films these scores will be similar enough, though most audiences won't be as harsh once a score falls below 50% and won't be as lavish with praise for avant garde film-major indulgences.
When the controversy in question is the validity of Christian faith, it's pretty normal to see a big difference.
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/risen_2016/ has a critic composite of 52% and audience score of 74%. This is somewhat comparable to https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/passion_of_the_christ/ at 49% to 80%. It definitely contrasts with https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_witch_2016/ at 91% to 55% and https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hail_caesar_2016/ at 85% to 46% (Hail, Caesar! definitely owes a lot of its appeal to critics to a lovingly tongue in cheek treatment of Hollywood's gilded era, but the direct jab at Risen is also an important factor in redeeming it from a certain staunch anti-communism and celebration of manly work ethic over effete ).
My personal opinion may not be the best guide, after all I really liked Hail, Caesar!, finding a lot of interest in the complex question it raised about the efficacy of modern faith so often far removed from Christ (I also had to laugh at all the cinematic in-jokes I got, while not really noticing the ones I didn't get--and the anti-communism really made my day). And for what it's worth, I absolutely reject Age of Ultron, it basically ruined all Marvel universe movies for me (like, more than Captain America turning out to be an LGBT Marxist Hydra agent or whatever the latest thing is).
But my personal opinion is that the concept in Risen poses an important question that transcends the particulars of Christian faith and speaks to the validity of reason. Especially in an age when 'science' claims to tell us so much we must believe despite any amount of evidence to the contrary.
It's also about finding hope despite realizing you've been on the wrong side your whole life.
That's gotta be worth something to someone.
Excellent movie. See it.
Butch
I found it to be a well made and inspiring movie, refreshing change from the usual hollywierd crapola...
Kevin Reynolds of Waterworld, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, and The Count of Monte Cristo directed this film. He is good at traditional adventure. The general plot is a Roman Tribune is tasked with finding the body of Christ before radical can make hay over the theft of the body. He doesn't find what he expects to find.
This is very well done and not your usual faith based flick. Tight direction and quality actors. The story stays on point. It would be, I think, enjoyable to both believers and non-believers alike. It's just a good movie
Waiting for comments, as I have not seen it either.
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