Joseph Fiennes glowers then gawks his way through Kevin Reynolds' sun-blanched, strangely passionless account of the events following the Passion of Christ. Fiennes is Clavius, a Roman centurion assigned to keeping the peace in Jerusalem, but the peace he really wants is that of “a day without death,” preferably in a country villa. Roman procurator Pontius Pilate wants peace, too, which is why he assigns Clavius to guard the tomb of one Yeshua, a recently crucified Jew who apparently told his followers he would rise from the dead. (If such a thing were even rumored to be true, we’re told, there’s no telling what might happen. What we’re shown is that goofy, laughing hippies will rise up and share their mystical message of love, sharing, and oh yes, eternal life.) When the body goes missing, Clavius sets out to solve the mystery. He examines the Shroud like it’s forensic evidence, and conducts pointed interrogations of Yeshua’s followers. Why, it’s almost like an externalized search for the basis of faith! Except it’s not — not for long, anyway. And once the question is answered, all that’s left is pious illustration, plus maybe a silly chase through the desert. (2016) — Matthew Lickona
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