Plot summary:
Fearing that the disappearance of
the recently crucified Yeshua of Nazareth (Cliff Curtis) from his tomb will
cause a general sense of unrest in Jerusalem, especially during the upcoming
visit of the Roman Emperor, Pontius Pilate (Peter Firth) tasks a Roman tribune
named Clavius (Joseph Fiennes), with the help of his aide (Tom Felton), to find
the missing body quickly. The agnostic Clavius
initially dismisses the rumors that Yeshua has risen from the dead. But as he immerses deeper into this
remarkable mystery, his sense of reason struggles with the things unraveled by
his investigation.
Being the “Greatest Story Ever
Told”, various takes on the life of Jesus have been conveyed many times already
in various media. But the premise of Risen is a brilliant, distinctive one. As a mystery story through the perspective of an
unbeliever, it’s a fresh and unique approach.
(It reminded me of a novel I read years ago called The Christ Commission by Og Mandino, since that has a somewhat
similar premise.)