Film · 2016
Risen
Risen tells the days after the crucifixion through the eyes of a fictional Roman tribune, Clavius, whom Pilate sets to find out what happened to the body of Jesus. The search leads him to the apostles and to the risen Jesus himself, in the upper room and at the Sea of Galilee.
Facts
About Risen
- Directed by Kevin Reynolds, who wrote the script with Paul Aiello; released by LD Entertainment.12
- Joseph Fiennes plays Clavius and Tom Felton his aide Lucius; Cliff Curtis plays Jesus, called by his Hebrew name, Yeshua.21
- Clavius is invented: the film uses him as an outsider's eyes on the Easter events.1
- Runtime 1 hour 47 minutes.2
- Mary Magdalene is shown as a former prostitute, following a tradition from the sixth century rather than the Gospels.1
At a glance
| Type | Film |
|---|---|
| Year | 2016 |
| Directed by | Kevin Reynolds |
| Studio | LD Entertainment |
| Running time | 1 h 47 min |
Where to watch in the US
Scenes
The Bible behind the scenes
For each scene: what the production shows, the Bible passages it is based on and what it adds to the Gospels. Each reference links to the chapter in the New American Bible, Revised Edition.
Compare scenes withThe ChosenJesus of NazarethThe PassionNativity Story
| Scene | What the film shows | Bible | What the film adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| The death of Jesus Compare the Gospels → | Opening scene The film opens with Jesus on the cross, already dead or nearly so.13 | Jn 19:28–30 | – |
| The guard at the tomb | Central Guards are posted at the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea; they get drunk and apparently fall asleep.13 | Mt 27:62–66Mt 28:11–15 | In Matthew the guards' sleep is the story they are paid to tell (Mt 28:13); the drunken guards are the film's own. |
| The risen Jesus among the disciples Compare the Gospels → | Shown Clavius bursts into the upper room and recognizes, among the apostles, the man he saw dead.13 | Lk 24:36–43Jn 20:19–23 | The witness, the tribune Clavius, is fictional. |
| By the Sea of Tiberias Compare the Gospels → | Shown At the Sea of Galilee the apostles go fishing and share a meal; Peter affirms his love for Jesus three times.13 | Jn 21:1–19 | Clavius is in the boat, and the apostles pray the Our Father at the meal; neither is in John 21. |
| The disciples are sent out Compare the Gospels → | Without baptism Jesus sends the apostles out.13 | Mt 28:16–20 | His commission leaves out the command to baptize (Mt 28:19). |
| The Ascension Compare the Gospels → | Shown Jesus is taken up after commissioning the apostles.13 | Lk 24:50–53 | – |
Bible Behind the Screen is independent and not affiliated with the makers or the distributors of this production. We describe it in our own words and show no clips, stills, posters or photos of actors.
Sources
- National Catholic Register, Steven D. Greydanus: SDG Reviews 'Risen', February 19, 2016 (checked on October 21, 2026)
- Apple TV: Risen (checked on October 21, 2026)
- New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Bible references (checked on October 21, 2026)
Bible references follow the New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE), the Catholic Bible translation of the U.S. bishops. We give the references and sum up the passages in our own words; each reference links to the full text on the bishops' website. Found a mistake? Write to us at hello@biblebehindthescreen.com.
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