Risen The Review (Spoilers)

At last, the "swords and sandals" epics are back! After a long hiatus since "The Robe" and "Ben Hur" biblical epics with swashbuckling have returned! Risen is the semi-official sequel to The Passion of Christ, originally titled The Resurrection of Christ. The film follows the investigation of Clavius (Joseph Fiennes) who seeks to find corpse of Christ. To the surprise of this Tribune, the Truth does not stink but shall set his life in direction that he never expected. The concept of a man hunt for Jesus (called Yeshua in film, the Hebrew name for Jesus) is a thrilling concept, and the scope makes me long for more films set in time of our Savior. There are going to be obvious criticisms of Risen as a "The Robe" nock off with Gladiator and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation mixed in. But Risen is riveting ride through Judea in search of Jesus by a nonbeliever.

Risen gets so many things right. The cinematography is breathtaking! The acting is A level, like a major motion picture thanks to Joseph Fiennes as Calvius and Peter Firth as Pontius Pilate. The Disciples, particularly Peter and Bartholomew steal every scene they are in. Yeshua/Jesus in the few scenes he is featured shines with such compassion that it will move you to tears. Risen reigns best in the historical details, it portrays the Romans as pious, not atheists with worldly ambitions alone (a stigma in movies, from The Robe to The Eagle). Clavius is seen talking about the Sun god, Pilate about Minerva goddess of wisdom, and Clavius talking about praying to Mars god of war. This is important to establish, because so many films depict inaccurately that Romans are men of reason like the Greeks, who fear no gods save the mad Emperors, and whose ambitions are to gain power and prestige along with pleasures and palaces. At last the Romans are seen through a more holistic view, that they feared the supernatural as well as used their senses and intellectual faculties. The film also accurately depicts that Jesus and His disciples were Jewish, Jesus is called Yeshua, "Son of Yahweh" (Peter, Risen). I believe this distinction which is historically and biblically accurate, our Bibles read Jesus is Lord, but Lord is Yahweh in Hebrew. So for Peter to say Yeshua is Yahweh is actually in the Bible. I hope that this allows Jews to approach the Gospel understanding it is Jewish in origin and yet it is wide open to the Gentiles. As Bartholomew says, "I see the plan has changed, he wants you Romans saved too!" (Paraphrased).

The most powerful theme in the film is Clavius transformation from Roman conqueror to redeemed Christ follower. Clavius is an ambitious and worldly Roman who wants to work his way up echelons of society to achieve "position and power," which will one day give him wealth and at last peace. What Clavius discovers is that there is another path, "the narrow way," (Matthew 7:14) and that he has been treding the broad path that leads to death (Matthew 7:13). Clavius journey from sentry to skeptic to saint is a masterpiece. Joseph Fiennes makes you believe that this unbeliever who is poised to be a person of high position in the world of Rome can become person of faith that forsakes power in this life for the peace that already exists in Yeshua, "a peace that surpasses all understanding." (Philippians 4:7). This singular element of Risen, riding along the protagonist's path makes it an exceptional and exemplary piece of storytelling. For once there is a story based on the True Story that leaves you yearning for more; to spend time in Judea looking for Jesus and having found Him becoming a nomad of Immanuel and helping build His church. The entire setting is romantic, despite Roman torture and killing methods. For once I have felt swept away into the time period of our Prince of Peace's life, something that hasn't happened since 2004 with the Passion of the Christ. Risen has the elegance of a Ridley Scott epic, but infused with faith and charisma and chemistry that draws you into the story that I can only describe it as divinely inspired and supernatural! Words fail me, but if you have every seen a film where everything is perfect, the acting, the cinematography, the costumes, the story and plot, and all else; and there is that feeling that you have been transported, not just watching, but taken into the tale as if you are in it, that is Risen in a nut shell!

Risen does a good balance of opening the door (John 10:9-11) to Jews so that they can finally realize the Messiah and Bridegroom is Jesus Christ or Yeshua Hamashiach while still leaving it open to the Gentiles, "This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus," (1 Timothy 2:3-5), and "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19). Clavius character epitomizes the goal of grafting in the Gentiles (Romans 11:11-31), while still keeping a focus on the Lost Sheep of Israel (Matthew 15:24) who are represented in Disciples and Yeshua's closest followers. Even Mary Magdalene gets a prime position as a disciple and partakes in the path Clavius must take to see the Risen Christ. Risen is a great blend of epic, action, mystery, crime investigation, drama, history, theology, philosophy, and Scripture. The entire film feels like a blockbuster, something that has been sadly absent in Christian cinema. Most of Affirms films like "War Room" and "Heaven is For Real" are campy, cheesy, and appeal mainly to Christians alone. Risen on the other hand is a film real believers will relish, skeptics should see, and historians will herald. What I particularly like best about Risen is the hunt, the chase, and the investigation. Clavius quest to find Yeshua reminds me of Sir Galahad's quest for the Holy Grail. It has all mystery, wonder, and excitement of mystery story, but with battles of an epic, and the ambiance and aesthetics and locations of a drama/artsy film like Elizabeth: The Golden Age. The journey of Clavius becomes your own in the theater and you find that when hour and half is over, you yearn for more!

That being said there are some errors and concerns I must note, but do not think that they in anyway diminish how much I enjoyed this film. I highly recommend Risen as the best film this year and the best Biblical epic after The Passion of the Christ. But I must raise some criticisms and concerns.

My first criticism is with the appearance and complexion of Jesus/Yeshua in Risen. Yeshua or Jesus is played by Arab looking actor Cliff Curtis. The new trend of the times is to have Jesus looking dark skinned and like an Ishmaelite  because of an alleged discovery and this painting:

The problem is this discovery, and the new trend conflict with the actual accounts of eyewitnesses who saw Jesus like Pontius Pilate. Here is a letter from Pontius Pilate to Tiberius Cesar, "TO TIBERIUS CAESAR: A young man appeared in Galilee preaching with humble unction, a new law in the Name of the God that had sent Him. At first I was apprehensive that His design was to stir up the people against the Romans, but my fears were soon dispelled. Jesus of Nazareth spoke rather as a friend of the Romans than of the Jews. One day I observed in the midst of a group of people a young man who was leaning against a tree, calmly addressing the multitude. I was told it was Jesus. This I could easily have suspected so great was the difference between Him and those who were listening to Him. His golden colored hair and beard gave to his appearance a celestial aspect. He appeared to be about 30 years of age. Never have I seen a sweeter or more serene countenance. What a contrast between Him and His bearers with their black beards and tawny complexions! Unwilling to interrupt Him by my presence, I continued my walk but signified to my secretary to join the group and listen. Later, my secretary reported that never had he seen in the works of all the philosophers anything that compared to the teachings of Jesus. He told me that Jesus was neither seditious nor rebellious, so we extended to Him our protection. He was at liberty to act, to speak, to assemble and to address the people. This unlimited freedom provoked the Jews -- not the poor but the rich and powerful.   Later, I wrote to Jesus requesting an interview with Him at the Praetorium. He came. When the Nazarene made His appearance I was having my morning walk and as I faced Him my feet seemed fastened with an iron hand to the marble pavement and I trembled in every limb as a guilty culprit, though he was calm. For some time I stood admiring this extraordinary Man. There was nothing in Him that was repelling, nor in His character, yet I felt awed in His presence. I told Him that there was a magnetic simplicity about Him and His personality that elevated Him far above the philosophers and teachers of His day.  Now, Noble Sovereign, these are the facts concerning Jesus of Nazareth and I have taken the time to write you in detail concerning these matters. I say that such a man who could convert water into wine, change death into life, disease into health; calm the stormy seas, is not guilty of any criminal offense and as others have said, we must agree -- truly this is the Son of God.   
Your most obedient servant, Pontius Pilate" (This is a reprinting of a letter from Pontius Pilate to Tiberius Caesar describing the physical appearance of Jesus. Copies are in the Congressional Library in Washington, D.C.)

Gamaliel, a Jewish Religious leader who sat on Sanhedrin interviewed Jesus, "I asked him to describe this person to me, so that I might know him if I should meet him. He said: 'If you ever meet him [Yeshua] you will know him. While he is nothing but a man, there is something about him that distinguishes him from every other man. He is the picture of his mother, only he has not her smooth, round face. His hair is a little more golden than hers, though it is as much from sunburn as anything else. He is tall, and his shoulders are a little drooped; his visage is thin and of a swarthy complexion, though this is from exposure. His eyes are large and a soft blue, and rather dull and heavy....' This Jew [Nazarite] is convinced that he is the Messiah of the world. ...this was the same person that was born of the virgin in Bethlehem some twenty-six years before..." (Another description of Jesus is found in "The Archko Volume" which contains official court documents from the days of Jesus. This information substantiates that He came from racial lines which had blue eyes and golden hair. In a chapter entitled "Gamaliel's Interview" it states concerning Jesus (Yeshua) appearance).

Gamaliel is in the Bible, he taught the Apostle Paul, "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today," (Acts 22:3), and "When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.  But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. ³⁸ Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” (Acts 5:33-39).

A Roman scholar named Publius Lentullus records what Jesus looks like, "There appeared in these our days a man, of the Jewish Nation, of great virtue, named Yeshua [Jesus], who is yet living among us, and of the Gentiles is accepted for a Prophet of truth, but His own disciples call Him the Son of God- He raiseth the dead and cureth all manner of diseases. A man of stature somewhat tall, and comely, with very reverent countenance, such as the beholders may both love and fear, his hair of (the colour of) the chestnut, full ripe, plain to His ears, whence downwards it is more orient and curling and wavering about His shoulders. In the midst of His head is a seam or partition in His hair, after the manner of the Nazarenes. His forehead plain and very delicate; His face without spot or wrinkle, beautified with a lovely red; His nose and mouth so formed as nothing can be reprehended; His beard thickish, in colour like His hair, not very long, but forked; His look innocent and mature; His eyes grey, clear, and quick- In reproving hypocrisy He is terrible; in admonishing, courteous and fair spoken; pleasant in conversation, mixed with gravity. It cannot be remembered that any have seen Him Laugh, but many have seen Him Weep. In proportion of body, most excellent; His hands and arms delicate to behold. In speaking, very temperate, modest, and wise. A man, for His singular beauty, surpassing the children of men" (This was taken from a manuscript in the possession of Lord Kelly, and in his library, and was copied from an original letter of Publius Lentullus at Rome. It being the usual custom of Roman Governors to advertise the Senate and people of such material things as happened in their provinces in the days of Tiberius Caesar, Publius Lentullus, President of Judea, wrote the following epistle to the Senate concerning the Nazarene called Jesus.)

Jesus actually was likely the coloring of King David, who was, "When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth, and ruddy, with a handsome appearance." (1 Samuel 17:42). Ruddy is defined as rosey, and fair skin that can easily burn. The following picture is probably closer to what Jesus looked like in 33 A.D.

My second criticism is at the beginning of the film. The opening scene has Clavius (Joseph Fiennes) entering a house and remembering how it all began. We are thrust into a battle where Clavius leads Roman Centurions in a fight against Barabbas and the Zealots. At climax of this conflict, Clavius stabs Barabbas and kills Him. This is not scriptural, because Barabas was chosen instead of Jesus for crucifixion, "So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:17), and they replied, "They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber (some translate leader of uprising and insurrectionist NIV)." (John 18:40). While it is conceivable this could have been another Barabbas, just as there were many Simons, Simon Peter, Simon Cyrene, and many Marys, Mary Magdalene, Mary and Matha, Mary Mother of God and so forth. But in the film this Barabbas is clearly depicted as the leader of the Zealots, something several translations of the Gospel indicate is the man named Barabbas that the people choose to be set free. The fact this was changed for movie means its not the whole Gospel, and an important detail of why Pontius Pilate could even kill an innocent man like Jesus; the custom of releasing one prisoner at Passover, "Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, "I find no guilt in Him. But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews?" So they cried out again, saying, "Not this Man, but Barabbas." Now Barabbas was a robber." (John 18:38-40). Omitting this detail or rather trying to change it, changes the Gospel which Paul has harsh words for (Galatians 1:8, 2 Corinthians 11:4) and it gives skeptics a foothold, because their biggest hurdle to believing is why did Jesus who is innocent was convicted to die? We know it was to save us, but to the Romans and Jews of Christ's time it was jealousy of religious elite, fear of religious elite, fear of Pilate, and the convenience of a custom that allowed them to kill Christ at Passover. However, if the timing of the battle between Clavius and Barabbas takes place between when Barabbas was set free and when Clavius arrives at Crucifixion, then this may not be an error, but a tight timeline that could work but still an explanation is lacking. All Clavius had to say was, "I've slain Barabbas whom you released, now you want me to see to man you crucified in his place?"

The third criticism I have is when Jesus ascends, He does not ascend into the air like the Gospels say (Mark 16:19, Acts 1:9-12), but walks across a mountain into the sun and then there is an explosion of wind and He is gone. My concern about this, is that there was a Sun god that was popular in those times and later days, and Clavius (Joseph Fiennes) even mentions the Sun god in passing earlier in film. It is Sun god that Constantine the Great served and worshipped, and there are concerns that because Constantine saw the sign (cross) in the sun, that he mistakenly believed Jesus Christ son of God is the Sun god, when they are not, Jesus is the Son of the Father (Yahweh) and is One with the Father (John 10:30). The Sun god called Helios and Sol Invictus is the son of Apollo. My concern is that people who watch the scene in Risen may become confused, believing Yeshua (Jesus) is the Sun god, when Yeshua/Jesus is really and truly Son of God (1 John 4:15), and actually God incarnate (John 1:1), "Immanuel, which means God with us (Matthew 1:23), and Fullness of Trinity/God head, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Godhead (Deity) lives in bodily form," (Colossians 2:9). Many may ignore the details of this ascension scene in Risen, but A.D. The Bible Continues Got is right in their Ascension scene.

Other inaccuracies include Jesus calling the Disciples to Galilee for His Ascension, when they Disciples are waiting in Jerusalem for Pentecost. In the Bible, its the reverse, Jesus tells them to go to Jerusalem and wait (Acts 1:4-5). The Ascension happens in Acts 1:1-11 and then Holy Spirit falls on disciples in Acts 2:1-4. It is possible the director was pointing out two separate events, when Jesus breathed on disciples after His resurrection, "And with that he breathed on them and said, "So Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit," (John 20:21-22) and Pentecost. In that case it could be that Disciples were only breathed on, and thus went back to Galilee and will return to Jerusalem for Pentecost (not shown in film). Another inaccuracy is Jesus reinstating Peter on a cliff, when it happened after eating on beach (John 21:15-19). I am sure there are more mistakes, but what makes this most egregious is that claim by reviewer, "The most accurate to Scripture movie." When infact Scripture is twisted and major mistakes are made.

The Conclusion

From storytelling, acting, chemistry, and cinematography stand point Risen raises Christian films to new heights. The problem is always when license is taken, especially in regards to Scripture and details that effect if the Gospel as a whole is given. I believe Risen rises above its faults because it can be door to Jews and Gentiles alike to believe in Jesus Christ. The film is a fun ride, and thankfully lacks the agnostic and atheist tones of "Noah" and "Exodus: Gods and Kings." Risen does tell the Gospel, but the unnecessary changing of details is problematic, and I would have preferred if Joseph of Arimetha said, "His name is Yeshua," and then Clavius say, "Yeshua, the one they call Jesus (Latin, Iesus)" to help clarify it to people. Jews need to know Yeshua is Jesus, and believers who are not familiar with the Messianic roots may be baffled by this Hebrew name. I enjoyed the film thoroughly, in fact it is one of my favor Bible epics of all time! But despite how much I adore this film I had to raise some concerns. I recommend Risen, it is the most riveting and enchanting Bible epic I have ever seen! It transports you to 30 A.D. and has a charm like that of those who feel transported by The Lord of the Rings and more. See Risen, you won't regret it!