Review of Risen (2016) by Angelo C — 28 Feb 2016

It's refreshing to see a faith-based film with some war-action in it.

The movie begins with the main character, Clavius, a hard-nosed Roman military Tribune who is wandering through the Judaean Desert in 33 AD. (To my knowledge, a Tribune was an elected Roman military officer in charge of 1000 men. If you are a Roman military historian, I apologize if I've botched this definition.) Clavius wanders until he finds the home of a stranger, who gives him some food to eat. Clavius begins recounting his story. We flashback to a battle in which Romans (lead by Clavius) are fighting Jewish rebels. The action is decent, but the violence is in keeping with the bloodless PG-13 rating. (SPOILERS!) When the Romans win, a captured rebel defiantly proclaims that Rome will not be able to stop the coming Jewish Messiah. Clavius unemotionally kills the man-just another day on the job.

Clavius is sent by Pontius Pilate to the famous crucifixion scene, where, upon seeing that Yeshua/Jesus is dead, Clavius orders that Jesus' legs are not to be broken (which was the common method of speeding-up crucifixion death). It was interesting to see the large pit into which crucified corpses were discarded. Of course, as you know from the movie's trailer, Jesus' corpse disappears from the tomb, and so Clavius is sent to track down the corpse, and he needs to do so within 2 days-before decomposition makes Jesus' face unrecognizable. As in a detective show, Clavius collects evidence at the crime scene (tomb) and interrogates suspects (disciples). Clavius meets Mary Magdalene, whom actress Maria Botto played convincingly. Clavius also meets Bartholomew (one of Jesus' 12 disciples) who is played by a rather caucasian-looking man, and came across as a bit of a crazy hippie. (The Gospel writers say that the disciples had deserted Jesus and fled.).

Eventually, Clavius is tipped-off to where the disciples are meeting. The Roman soldiers surround the house, and Clavius goes into the upper room by himself. (SPOILERS!) Clavius is shocked to see Jesus, alive and in the flesh, sitting there with the disciples. (I suppose this is the moment recorded by the Gospel writers in which Jesus shows his scars to doubting Thomas.) Clavius is speechless and in shock, leaning against the wall for support. Suddenly, like a ghost, Jesus disappears. Clavius steps outside and tells the other Romans to leave. Later, the Romans return to the room and find a note from Clavius saying that they won't see him anymore, because he needs to find out more about the dead man whom he has now seen alive. Personally, I think the movie could have ended right here. (Think about it: the main character has found his goal.) To be honest, from here on out, the rest of the movie drags, with no real purpose.

From here, Clavius follows the disciples, until Jesus shows up to ask Peter if he really loves him. Clavius even gets a chance to talk with Jesus; Jesus asks Clavius what he wants, and Clavius says "Peace"; but Jesus, cutting to the core, remarks that what Clavius really wants is "a day without death". (Again, I'm not sure what the point of this was. It really doesn't add more to Clavius' character arc.) After Jesus goes to Heaven, Clavius then decides to neither follow the disciples, nor return to the Romans, but to live-out the rest of his live as a wandering vagabond. (Which makes no sense to me.) Clavius gives the stranger, to whom he tells this story, his Tribunal ring, and then leaves.