Risen is a 2016 American biblical drama film directed by Kevin Reynolds; it was conceived from a screenplay written by Reynolds and Paul Aiello. The film stars Joseph Fiennes, Tom Felton, Peter Firth, and Cliff Curtis, and details a Roman soldier’s search for Jesus’ body following his Resurrection. Columbia Pictures released the film to theaters nationwide in the United States on February 19, 2016.
After crushing a Zealot revolution led by Barabbas, Clavius, a Roman Tribune, is appointed by Pontius Pilate to investigate the rumors of a risen Jewish Messiah. Pilate orders him to locate the missing body of Yeshua. In doing so, Pilate seeks to quell an imminent uprising in Jerusalem during the first 40 days following Christ’s crucifixion.Failing to secure Yeshua’s body, Clavius attempts to locate his disciples for clues to his disappearance.
During a raid through a Jewish enclave, Clavius unexpectedly discovers a seemingly resurrected Yeshua with his apostles in a solitary abode. Clavius calls off the search; he disperses his troops without revealing to them his personal encounter with the risen Yeshua. He later joins Yeshua and his followers on a journey to determine the validity of his mortal rejuvenation.
Pilate deduces that Clavius has apparently betrayed him, and dispatches a contingent of Roman troops to pursue him and Yeshua. Clavius assists the disciples in evading the Roman search party; he consequently witnesses the healing of a leper, and then the ascension of Yeshua into Heaven. Later, communicating his travels to a stranger in a remote dwelling, Clavius acknowledges the vivifying wisdom which he observed through Yeshua, feeling he will never be the same.