Yet the real struggle in this narrative is not between captor and captive but in the heart of one man who tries to reconcile what he sees with his unbelief, even when the evidence stands right in front of him. Portrayed with rich cinematography, the film also contains solid performances from a strong cast and a gritty feel for the life of a soldier forced to do the dirty work of his commanding officers. It may also explain why several characters turn to alcohol, including a couple of soldiers who become drunk while on duty.ĭirected by Kevin Reynolds, the script displays the constant jostling for religious power and political superiority that likely existed between the Romans and the subjugated Jews. The grisly depictions of crucifixion and decomposing bodies (which the soldiers are forced to rifle through) portray a sickening reality of ancient life-one that many parents won’t want their children and younger teens to see. Some bloody injuries are shown, though not as many as you’d expect from this kind of encounter. This story, told from the perspective of a non-believer, opens with a graphic skirmish between soldiers and rebels in which characters are impaled with spears, run through with swords and pummeled with rocks. What Clavius stumbles upon instead is a man, not a myth. Pilate orders Clavius to make sure that doesn’t happen.īut when the tomb, sealed by Clavius himself, is found empty as prophesied, the Tribune and his adjutant, Lucius (Tom Felton), are sent on a manhunt for a dead body and the disciples accused of stealing it. Now rumors are circulating that Yeshua (Jesus for English-speakers) will rise from the dead after three days. Egged on by Caiaphas (Stephen Greif) and other Jewish religious leaders, the Roman Prefect has ordered the crucifixion of Yeshua (Cliff Curtis). However, it is the demise of a simple Nazarene that upends this soldier’s world.īarely back from a bloody battle with Jewish insurgents, Clavius is summoned to Pilate’s (Peter Firth) side and given the task of quelling a local uproar. His ultimate goal is to reach a position where he doesn’t have to deal with death everyday. But Roman Tribune Clavius (Joseph Fiennes) stomachs it in order to move up the ladder of command in the Empire. “Instead of trying to impress skeptics or fulfill evangelicals’ expectations for message-driven movies,” the website writes, “'Gavin Stone' aims to avoid being taken too seriously – and unlike typical inspirational fare, it gets closer to showing an evangelical culture that audiences can actually recognize and laugh alongside.Crucifixion is a gruesome business. As Stone grows closer with the congregation and his father, the film offers impactful lessons on forgiveness, redemption and second chances for all ages.Ĭhristian Today named the film one of 2017’s “Best Christian Movies,” claiming it’s a “faith-based film you don’t want to miss.” Christianity Today also sang its praises, calling it a refreshing, new take for a Christian film. When he realizes the church is holding auditions for its Easter play, he pretends to be a Christian in order to land the lead role of Jesus. After trashing a hotel room, Stone is forced to return to his small Illinois hometown to live with his father and complete 200 hours of community service at a local megachurch. This Christian dramedy is a reimagining of the prodigal son parable – told through the story of a washed-up, partied-out former child star Gavin Stone.

Movie about centurion and jesus