One does not perceive it as overtly religious, contrary to expectations. The challenges depicted are central to the human condition. It is a very political film. The power sharing between the gubernator and Herod Antipas are evident, as is the covert relationship between the Jewish leaders and Pilate. The social pathos of the citizens is heart-breaking. Times were hard then, even without the oil curse.
The story excludes much, while still retaining a lot of the ambiguity of the events depicted. It is as if it were purely a slice in time, with no pre- or post-facto reality. The motives behind Judas' and Jesus' actions are barely explored. The subsequent events are barely referenced. The seed sown that day had repurcussions later, with the revolution of the Zealots.
Besides Mary Magdalene, the Apostle to the Apostles, apparently only John was present.
Motives of Judas - greed, jealousy, Jesus' betrayal of the Nazarene creed, Peter as instigator, member of the Zealots
Simon of Cyrene is depicted well - the unwillingness of the stranger to be involved in political matters in a strange land.
A thought - Jesus' religion as a religion of women - cohort of women believers, inspired by Mary Magdalene. The appeal of Mary Magdalene and her apparent disawoval by the Roman Church is of special interest in this regard.
Mary, mother of Jesus has a compelling presence - she seems to be the only person who can see the agent of Discordia who tempts Jesus. Another aspect of the woman-centric appeal of the religion.
I have a special interest in this particular Mary - my family has ancestral ties to Murree in Pakistan, supposedly named after the resting place of the Mother Mary.
Recommended Reading:In Search of Jesus: Last Starchild of the Old Silk Road
The wheel turns, and we move on.
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