Roman turns to Christ in new 'Risen' film

'I do believe the film gets it right in terms of Scripture.'

New movie "Risen" follows a Roman soldier's search for Christ's body after His resurrection. Clavius, acted by Joseph Fiennes, must disprove "rumors" of a risen Messiah, but reveals a life-changing truth instead.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - "Risen's" website describes the film as "the epic biblical story of the Resurrection, as told through the eyes of a non-believer.

"Clavius (Joseph Fiennes), a powerful roman military tribune, and his aide, Lucius (Tom Felton), are tasked with solving the mystery of what happened to Jesus in the weeks following the crucifixion, in order to disprove the rumors of a risen Messiah and prevent an uprising in Jerusalem."

Fiennes told Christianity Today, "I do believe the film gets it right in terms of Scripture. Those who feel that what is right in Scripture is right in the film will feel that there's a good balance there."

Though Fiennes believes Christ's resurrection is fact-based, he did admit his character is "much more fictional."

"You could say that Clavius might be loosely based on a story of the Roman centurion - but it's pretty loose," he said.

In an effort to bring his character to life, Fiennes went to gladiator school and learned how to fight the way a Roman soldier would have. "The physicality gave me an insight into the mindset, which was very economical," Fiennes explained.

Clavius' character sees Pilate as a father figure in the film, making Clavius' turn from Roman gods to Christ all the more dramatic and meaningful. 

"It's a big thing to believe in Roman gods and be confronted with what Clavius witnessed, and then to become a full convert. I believe what you witness as an audience member is the seeds of conversion (if you want to use that word). But certainly he's at a crossroads; he can't go back and he can't move forward.

"He's been irrevocably changed and we can only guess which way he would go," Fiennes described. "...Roman brilliance is up against the spiritual mind of Christ and the disciples. However strong and powerful you are, that connection, that spirituality, that utter faith and belief is impenetrable."

Go see "Risen" this weekend and give us your feedback! Does the film really match what the Bible has to say? Is Christ's love and Clavius' change as touching as we hope? Let us know in the comments below!

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