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RISEN (2016)
Risen poster

CAST
JOESEPH FIENNES
RICHARD ATWILL
MARIA BOTTO
LUIS CALLEJO
CLIFF CURTIS
TOM FELTON
PETER FIRTH
ANDY GATHERGOOD
ANTONIO GIL
STEPHE HAGAN
STEWART SCUDAMORE

STORY BY
PAUL AIELLO

SCREENPLAY BY
PAUL AIELLO
KEVIN REYNOLDS

CINEMATOGRAPHY BY
LORENZO SENATORE

EDITING BY
STEVE MIRKOVICH

MUSIC BY
ROQUE BANOS

PRODUCED BY
PATRICK AIELLO
MICJEY LIDDELL
PETE SHILAIMON

DIRECTED BY
KEVIN REYNOLDS

GENRE
DRAMA
HISTORY
MYSTERY

RATED
AUS:M
UK:12A
USA:PG-13

RUNTIME
107 MIN

 

 

 

Risen image

A retelling of the Resurrection story within a detective mystery framework, Risen situates itself as one of the best modern day Bible dramas, with its story of faith, doubt, and conversion, one of depth and thought.

The Easter story is perhaps the most significant and mysterious in the history of mankind. It is also, perhaps, the most dangerous as well. It is one thing to believe in the teachings of Jesus, but to also believe He is the Son of God and rose from the dead after He was crucified and buried? That right there is revolutionary, the kind of belief that topples kings and changes nations.

This is the situation that faces Claudius (Joseph Fiennes), a well-regarded Roman tribune who is tasked with overseeing the crucifixion of a supposed Jewish messiah. When the man, Jesus (Cliff Curtis), is rumoured to have risen from the dead, Claudius is charged with investigating what happened to Jesus’ body, only to find himself drawn into a mystery of unforeseen ramifications.

Director Kevin Reynolds (The Count of Monte Crisco) does a great job in adding a twist to the Resurrection story, adding what is essentially a detective story as a tool to delve into the mystery, perplexities, and ramifications of Christ’s resurrection. Much like classic Bible epic The Robe, this is a story of a Roman soldier undergoing a spiritual conversion, but Risen is done so through investigation as opposed to existential angst. Claudius prides himself in being a rational mind and seeks out answers to what he believes is a conspiracy, but instead is led down a path that will forever change him.

Joseph Fiennes is terrific as Claudius, portraying this man’s journey from hardened solider to humbled servant with a great dramatic heft that runs through a gauntlet of emotions. Excellent too is the inspired casting of New Zealand born character actor Cliff Curtis as Jesus, who brings all the dimensions needed in the portrayal of Christ, yet with a different presence.

The common conception is that faith requires a “leap” into the unknown. Risen gives credence that such devotion is more than a blind act. There is logic and thought and a searching that is a part of such a decision. Claudius represents the story of many who sought answers and found so much more. Exceptionally crafted and performed, Risen is a Bible drama for a new era.

 

***1/2

 

 

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