Some time before Clavius, a twenty-five year veteran of the Roman Army, is in charge of the troops assigned to Jerusalem. He has just finished putting down a revolt by Jewish Zealots when he is summoned before Pontius Pilate, the Prefect of Judaea at this time. Pilate orders him to go out to the site outside the city where crucifixions are done. One of the men being executed has caused a lot of uproar, and Pilate wants his death hurried along, especially since this is taking place at Passover, and it's almost the Sabbath. Clavius and his aide Lucius travel out to Golgotha where the crucifixion of three men is being watched by a large crowd, some mocking and some grieving. Clavius orders one of the soldiers to speed along the deaths by breaking the legs of two of the men, and driving a spear into the side of the third crucified man: Yeshua/ Jesus. When Jesus dies, a tremor shakes the earth. Afterwards, Clavius stands for a minute at the foot of the cross, looking up at the face of the dead man who caused all of this trouble.
This week I watched Risen, the 2016 Biblical film about the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It stars Joseph Fiennes as Roman Tribune Clavius. At the start of the movie, the Tribune stumbles into an inn in the Judean desert looking hot, disheveled, and... stunned. He relates a strange story to the startled innkeeper. Some time before Clavius, a twenty-five year veteran of the Roman Army, is in charge of the troops assigned to Jerusalem. He has just finished putting down a revolt by Jewish Zealots when he is summoned before Pontius Pilate, the Prefect of Judaea at this time. Pilate orders him to go out to the site outside the city where crucifixions are done. One of the men being executed has caused a lot of uproar, and Pilate wants his death hurried along, especially since this is taking place at Passover, and it's almost the Sabbath. Clavius and his aide Lucius travel out to Golgotha where the crucifixion of three men is being watched by a large crowd, some mocking and some grieving. Clavius orders one of the soldiers to speed along the deaths by breaking the legs of two of the men, and driving a spear into the side of the third crucified man: Yeshua/ Jesus. When Jesus dies, a tremor shakes the earth. Afterwards, Clavius stands for a minute at the foot of the cross, looking up at the face of the dead man who caused all of this trouble. Assuming that the job is done, Clavius reports back to Pilate, who isn't satisfied. He tells the tribune that the executed rabbi had made claims of returning to life three days after his death. Pilate fears that Jesus' disciples will attempt to steal the body to make this prophesy seem like it has come true. He wants the tomb sealed and guarded to prevent further public unrest. Clavius inspects the tomb, which is essentially a cave with a huge stone to be rolled in front of the opening. Once it is sealed, Clavius orders a number of his men to stand guard day and night for the next three days. His duty discharged Clavius, weary from constant skirmishes with enemies of the Empire, returns to barracks hoping for some down time. The next thing he knows, an enraged and alarmed Pilate has summoned him once again. The body of Jesus has disappeared from the now-open tomb despite the presence of Clavius' guards, whom the prefect accuses of being incompetent drunks. Holding Clavius personally responsible for any uproar which may result, Pilate demands that he find the body and the men who took it. Clavius opens an investigation, interviewing witnesses, asking questions, and having- ick- his men dig up freshly buried bodies. Since this is a fairly recent film, I won't describe any more of the plot, but the main points of it shouldn't be too surprising. If you don't know what Clavius eventually discovers, I suggest you pick up a Bible... you'll figure it out.
Comments
|
About MeI'm a lover of good books, classic movies, and well-written shows (as well as some pretty cheesy ones, to be completely honest). Categories
All
Archives
March 2024
Fun SitesOdds & Ends |