Risen (2016)

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(CRACKLING AND RUMBLING)

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

(RUMBLING CONTINUES)

(JANGLING)

(FIRE CRACKLING)

Roman, huh?

That's a tribune's ring?

Yes.

Have you come far?

MAN: (VOICE ECHOES) Legion 10!

Move forward!

(CLAMORING)

CENTURION: Now! Come on!

(GRUNTS)

Come on!

(YELLING)

CLAVIUS: For 30 years, the Roman Empire of Tiberius Caesar has ruled the wasteland of Judaea and its people.

MAN: Barabbas! Barabbas!

CLAVIUS: As tribune to Prefect Pontius Pilate, my task is to keep order in a city that is steeped in unrest.

CENTURION: Simple formation!

CLAVIUS: The Jews pray to their single God, Yahweh, for the arrival of the mystical Messiah as their religious leaders, the Sanhedrin, try to keep an uneasy peace.

But each day creates more zealots to challenge the rule of Rome and bring freedom.

- Instead... (YELLS)

...we bring them death.

(YELLS) Pilum up!

Pilum ranks, launch!

Launch!

(YELLING CONTINUES)

Form up!

Draw!

Testudo!

Hold this line!

Forward!

(GRUNTING)

Forward!

(GRUNTING)

(CLAMORING CONTINUES)

(FIERCE YELLING)

(GRUNTING CONTINUES)

(MAN YELLS)

CENTURION: Tribune, we have Barabbas!

(YELLS)

Bring him.

(GRUNTING AND YELLING)

(GRUNTING)

(YELLS)

(PANTING)

I know how this ends.

Then tell Yahweh you are coming, courtesy of Mars.

(CHUCKLES) It must pain you to know that the one true God chooses us over you.

Not today, he didn't.

When the Messiah comes, Rome will be nothing!

Until then...

(BARABBAS GROANS)

(HORSES NEIGHING)

(MAN GROANS)

(PANTING)

(GROANING CONTINUES)

(HORSE HUFFS)

(GROANING AND PANTING CONTINUES)

Tribune, Pilate summons you.

I'm yet sticky with filth.

No matter. There's more trouble.

(CART CLATTERING)

Come on, come on!

Did you win?

I was told to hurry.

In truth, you're well dressed for this job.

What's happened? Passover.

Every hothead and holy fool in Judaea was here, stirring the pot.

Some ascetic won a following by making waves, so the Sanhedrin decided to put him down.

They sent a lathered mob here, screaming for his blood because he claims to be their Messiah.

(SLURPS)

I had to crucify him.

Don't give me that look. I've had enough already.

(GOBLET CLANKS)

I had a situation, Tribune, something you don't seem to understand.

Soon, the Emperor arrives here, and he expects to find order.

Order!

What is it you want of me, Prefect?

Take control out there and finish things.

This has gone on long enough.

And do this Nazarene a small mercy.

Break his legs.

Clavius, meet your new aide.

Lucius Tycho Ennius.

His father's a friend.

(PANTS)

It is an honor, Tribune.

(CLAVIUS SIGHS)

(BELL CLANGS)

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

What sky is this? Last hour, the sun was shining.

(LOUD RUMBLING) (NEIGHING)

CLAVIUS: Whoa! Easy.

(RUMBLING CONTINUES) (MEN GASPING)

Easy.

(PANICKED SHOUTS)

(RUMBLING STOPS)

Poseidon's unhappy.

Some god is.

(CLAMORING) SOLDIER: Move! Stand back!

(MAN SCREAMING)

SOLDIER: Get back!

(MAN SOBS)

I hate it when they scream. I hate it.

He could last for days, that one.

(CLAMORING CONTINUES)

SOLDIER: Get back now!

(MAN SOBBING)

CLAVIUS: Centurion, how goes this?

A strange day, Tribune.

It was just a tremor.

That and too much dark in the air.

But this "king". Something's wrong.

And the mob feel it.

Smite a few. Show them the rod.

(CLAMORING CONTINUES)

The Nazarene, is he dead yet?

After only six hours, he can't be.

Has he spoken?

Has he spoken? Just before the tremor.

He said, "It's finished."

See that it is.

(SOFTLY) Finally.

(MAN SOBBING)

It won't be long now.

(GASPING)

(SCREAMING) (CROWD SHOUTS)

(MAN SCREAMS)

(SHUDDERING)

(THUMP) (CROWD SHOUTS)

(WAILING)

(MAN GRUNTING)

That's the Nazarene's mother.

(MARY WAILING)

Hold!

Use the pilum.

(MARY CONTINUES SOBBING)

Get that woman to shut up.

Keep her quiet!

Aren't you the lucky one?

(MARY YELLS)

(GRUNTS)

(CROWD GASPING)

Ugh...

(SHUDDERING) Surely this man was innocent.

(CLAMORING CONTINUES)

Steel yourself, man. Go on and tell the Prefect it's done.

(MARY SOBBING)

(GROANING)

(HORSE HUFFING)

Disperse! It's over!

Go on home!

SOLDIER: Move! Leave now! Leave!

You, go on! Go!

(GASPS AND EXHALES) That's it, let go. That's it, let it go.

Deep breath out.

Deep breath. That's it.

That's it. Let it go. (INSECTS BUZZING)

(BIRDS CAWING) (BREATHING WEAKLY)

(GASPS)

(GRUNTS)

(STRAINING)

(FLIES BUZZING)

(GRUNTING)

(FLIES BUZZING)

(COUGHING)

Get the pliers.

I never k*lled a king before.

Wait!

Tribune, I come from Pilate. Please read this.

You're the Arimathean. I am.

Your own family tomb?

What's he to you?

The Sabbath is almost here. I have merely two hours.

Please.

He's yours.

Nicodemus, hurry.

Mary. Shh. (SOBBING)

Leave him.

Sir?

Go and find your centurion. These will bury him.

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

Please, Tribune.

Gently. Gently.

PILATE: Come, Clavius, soak this day away.

Fill his cup. Keep it filled.

What do you desire? A meal? A massage? A girl?

(SIGHS)

Just this.

You're young.

A night's rest, you'll do it all again.

(SIGHS)

Your service is valued, Tribune. I rely on it.

So ask pardon, if today I seemed vexed.

No matter.

Is the Nazarene entombed?

I helped push the stone against it myself. Huge stone.

Many admirers.

Let's hope that's buried with him.

It's a strange case.

I've never seen a death so wished for, even by him.

It's as if he wanted to be sacrificed.

They are fanatics. Yahweh deranges them. (CHUCKLES)

Yes. No other gods and all that. (CHUCKLES)

I myself pray only to Minerva, for wisdom. You?

Mars.

Of course.

Well, let's hope one of them hears us. I could use the help.

One does what one must.

I don't wish the mantle you wear.

Spare me. It's your path, too.

Your ambition is noticed.

Where do you hope it will lead?

Rome.

And?

Position. Power.

Which brings? Wealth.

A good family. Someday, a place in the country.

Where you'll find?

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

An end to travail.

A day without death.

Peace.

All that for peace?

Is there no other way?

Well, I'm to bed.

Tomorrow promises further punishment.

The Nazarene, did you find him different?

I found him dead.

So you did.

Peace, Tribune, and good night. Good night.

A coin for the ferryman.

Journey well, Gaius Aelius.

CLAVIUS: Legion, forward.

Legion 10.

ALL: Fretensis!

Tribune, Pilate summons you.

Salve, Prefect.

(SNIFFS QUIETLY)

You smell of meat. A feast?

A funeral.

There's your solution. Burn him in public.

God forbids cremation.

He also forbids labor on the Sabbath, and yet here you are.

Tribune.

Burn who? The crucified Nazarene.

Why? He's business unfinished.

The man's dead, Caiaphas. His followers are in hiding.

He's no longer a thr*at to your monopoly on piety.

But still a thr*at, Prefect.

While alive, that deceiver said he would rise again after three days.

He foretold it.

We request that the sepulcher be sealed, lest his disciples come in the night, steal the body and say that he is risen from death.

That would cause more unrest in this city than all his blasphemies combined.

You have your own guard. Secure it yourself.

My words exactly.

CAIAPHAS: To which I replied, "We need a Roman seal."

This must be seen as the impartial will of the Prefect.

And not yours.

We seek only what Caesar seeks.

Peace in Jerusalem, peace in Judaea.

Which you will lose if this body vanishes.

Hence my summoning.

Just see to it.

(STONE RUMBLING) (MEN GRUNTING)

Satisfy yourself.

Seal it. CLAVIUS: Seal.

(GRUNTS)

(SOFTLY) Huh. Hey.

No one touches those seals before sunset tomorrow. Understood?

Then tell the priests.

Where's your centurion?

He's not himself, sir. Not since yesterday.

Is that what pains you?

No, sir. No.

It's just... We were to have the night off.

I'll have rations sent.

(SIGHS)

You're Sanhedrin, too, are you not?

Yes.

Your brothers despise this man, yet you mourn him.

He was very special.

Hmm. A king?

You test me, Tribune.

What was his name? The Nazarene.

He was called Yeshua.

MAN: Move.

(DOORS CREAKING)

He forgot. You know he did.

They'd have sent food by now if he had told them.

He's an officer.

Yeah, if we'd forgot, could you fathom the b*ating?

(SOFTLY) I was saving it for supper, but...

Oh, you prince! You absolute champion.

Oh, yeah.

(CHUCKLES) I thought the night was lost.

(THUNDER RUMBLING IN THE DISTANCE)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Tribune, Pilate... Summons me.

He's gone. The Nazarene?

Of course, the Nazarene. His tomb is stone empty.

Who brought this news? The guards? Your guards are missing!

Some simpleton reported it. Who did you put on the detail?

I want them found and lashed. To death, preferably.

Let me investigate.

That would be helpful, before Caiaphas and his pack of raving Jews show up here.

Too late.

Tribune.

Shall we dispense with lies? The guards have told me.

They came to you?

Seeking sanctuary. They know the penalty for sleeping on duty.

PILATE: What happened? Exactly as I had predicted.

The heretic's disciples came in the night and stole the body.

Already, they are proclaiming him risen from death.

Will the people believe it?

CAIAPHAS: The weak will. Others want to.

So we must announce the theft.

PILATE: Will they believe you?

They'll believe the guards, if you don't k*ll them first.

PILATE: (SIGHS HEAVILY) Endless.

Proclaim it before this blossoms.

It's not enough.

Without a corpse to prove him dead, we have a potential Messiah.

I want no doubt. Tiberius cannot arrive to unrest.

We must find a body.

Will you help? Of course. But proclaim it.

Was my confidence in you misplaced, Tribune?

Perhaps you'd prefer a post in hell.

You will track down each and every one of these disciples.

But more importantly, you will find the corpse of this cursed Yeshua before it rots.

(CLAVIUS SIGHS)

(HORSE NEIGHING)

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

Bring the Arimathean.

MAN: You, get the Arimathean.

(HORSE WHINNIES)

As if they burst.

(INSECT BUZZING)

(LIQUID TRICKLING)

MAN: Tribune, see this.

(GRUNTS)

Oh! (PANTING)

Oh, my!

Where has he gone? You tell me.

The body, was it anointed?

We had no time. We just wrapped him with myrrh and aloe.

(WHISPERS) That's what you see, sweat and herbs. Bring it.

(INSECT BUZZING)

I want nothing touched here.

Post a watch, have everything leaving Jerusalem searched.

Arrest anyone claiming the Nazarene lives, and find out where they heard it.

Yes, Tribune.

And comb the city for bodies dead in the last week.

Examine each for marks of the crucified.

Dig them up?

Every one. And bring him to me presently.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Tribune.

I said, "In private."

Where's your fellow?

He doesn't wish to speak.

(SCOFFS) Truly?

Well, he had no trouble avowing the Nazarene's theft.

He's afraid, as am I.

So you should be.

You disgraced me. And sleeping on post means death.

But the Prefect has spared you.

You both can return to barracks.

Unpunished?

If you bare yourself honestly about what happened.

We were att*cked in the night while sleeping by the Nazarene's rabid disciples.

They stole his body and bade us say he is risen.

Rabid?

How many att*cked you?

Eight. Ten. I'm not sure.

All armed? Yes.

And you saw this while sleeping?

No. No, I... We, um...

We awoke as they were cutting the ropes.

Cutting them? Yes.

Yes.

And then they rolled away the stone, took his body and ran.

While you watched?

(STUTTERS) Yes, but we were held at spear point.

Soldier, have you been told to say these things?

(STAMMERING)

Were you drinking that night? No.

No? No.

What else is a lie?

Open the doors!

Stolen? So they claim.

Well, so what?

They really fear he rose from death.

Mmm-hmm. Perhaps the Messiah.

Anyway, so I heard.

Arrest him.

Turn him. (GROANS, COUGHS)

(INSECTS BUZZING) (MAN RETCHING)

How old is this one?

GUARD: At least a week.

These? The thieves he d*ed with.

CLAVIUS: We're done. (GROANS)

In two days, he'll be unrecognizable.

Wait till you see combat.

(CROWD SHOUTING)

(LUCIUS CLEARS THROAT)

No.

The hand's missing, but see the hole in the other?

Not him. Legs are broken.

That's why we need your eyes, Tribune. This grave here is very hasty and shallow.

(SNIFFS)

Well?

Two score, we questioned. Eleven, I think, you should examine.

One, I suspect, could be a disciple.

(GAGGING)

(PANTS)

Forgive me, Tribune. Take some chicory.

In time, the stomach numbs to these things.

Now bring them in, one by one. Sir.

(SIGHS)

CLAVIUS: Who took the body?

I don't know.

They say you are an honest man and also a follower of Yeshua.

Truth will not prove fatal today.

I was moved by what he said and what he taught.

And felt he didn't deserve such a death.

They ripped open your tomb to steal a corpse to promote a lie that threatens Rome and the Sanhedrin.

It was not Yeshua's followers.

Not the true ones.

They are heartbroken.

Some say he is risen

to lead Israel against us.

The Messiah.

Do you believe that?

If he had lived, I believe Yeshua would embrace you as a brother.

Even as you slew him.

(SIGHS)

(SOFTLY) Leave us.

I will try other means before I am forced to break you.

One thing has been withheld from you, Tribune.

I confess.

You asked if he was a king.

I return his crown.

LUCIUS: Sit.

Why do you tremble?

You're a Roman.

You were heard shouting, "Yeshua yet lives."

Joyously, says the report.

Why? You obviously didn't see him.

MIRIAM: I heard it on the street.

From passersby? No.

I heard him. Yeshua.

Two days ago.

I know voices. I hear them.

CLAVIUS: I have no doubt.

Were you a follower of the Nazarene, Miriam? Or just a follower of a follower?

He loved me.

An old woman.

He lifted me up.

Lifted you?

If you knew him, you'd understand.

Stop spreading rumors men are lifted from death.

(GENTLY) Come.

(CLAVIUS SIGHS DEEPLY)

Don't you wish to know what he said?

Of course.

"You are seeds already cast."

(CHUCKLES)

You're too late. LUCIUS: Come.

(SIGHS)

Next one, Tribune. Next one, I believe.

I pray not to thee today, divine Mars, but to the god of the Hebrews, Yahweh.

Hear me.

Take back your favor in defense of these people I seek, and relinquish them to me.

If you do this with clear and recognizable signs, I vow to erect temples for you and initiate games in your honor.

(CLAVIUS SIGHS)

Do you know what I seek?

Yes.

So, who told you the crucified Nazarene is alive?

A friend of a friend.

A friend of Yeshua? Perhaps a disciple?

Whatever you say, make it truth.

This friend said he was told the sighting was told of by two women.

They went to the tomb before dawn that morning and found it empty.

Then later met Yeshua on the road.

Alive.

Their names.

(CLAVIUS SCOFFS)

One way or another, we will have our answer.

I know only one. (CLEARS THROAT)

A woman of the street.

Mary Magdalene.

Last time she was spotted was on the morning the body was stolen. Early.

Not seen since. That's all I have, Tribune.

Where does she work? Work? She's of the street.

You're bringing no one to identify her?

Wh... Who? Who would that be?

(WHISTLES SHARPLY)

Who among you knows the woman Mary Magdalene?

CLAVIUS: They outflanked us, so we had to withdraw.

A fighting retreat.

Some dozen of our men were caught and dragged up into the hills.

Later that night, down in the valley, we heard them screaming and looked up to see them staked out on the ridge tops so we could watch.

That is why you offer no quarter.

(DOOR CREAKS OPEN)

Is that her?

No.

That's her.

(BANGING) Halt!

(PATRONS SCREAMING)

(GROANS)

Aha.

Mmm-hmm.

Shalom, Mary.

CLAVIUS: Why did you run from us?

MARY MAGDALENE: Instinct.

I've seen you before.

MARY MAGDALENE: My other life? (SCOFFS)

At Yeshua's death. You were there beside his mother.

Was she also the woman with you at his tomb?

(CRYING) If you knew what happened there, all cares would cease.

Enlighten me, then.

It's beyond us.

Spare me the riddles and zealot babble.

Where did you take Yeshua?

He's right here.

Is he a goblin? A sprite? Alive again somehow?

Open your heart and see.

I see delusion to keep a crusade alive.

I could have what I want pulled from you, put you to death like that.

It doesn't matter.

Ah.

A martyr. No.

Then give me the others, and I'll grant you freedom.

I'm already free.

(SIGHS)

Show me the Messiah.

Alive or dead.

And show me those who follow him.

You look for something you'll never find, Tribune.

You look for the wrong thing.

(BIRDS CAWING)

(LUCIUS CLEARS THROAT)

She's mad, refuses to talk sense.

Perhaps a witch, sir.

Should I have her stoned? At least locked up?

Just...

Let her go.

Sir?

Release her. The woman's touched.

Two days without sleep, Tribune. You'll start seeing things.

When that turns, wake me. Sir.

You, up.

Move.

(WAVES CRASHING)

(WIND HOWLING)

LUCIUS: Tribune.

Your sand has run out, and Pilate summons you.

You're digging up the dead?

No stone unturned, Prefect.

But a Hebrew cemetery?

It seemed logical. He's Jewish and deceased.

(SCOFFS)

Do you not realize the wrath incurred?

Another day or two, and wrath won't matter. Nature will have taken its course.

Caesar's spies will hear of all of this.

An unfortunate dilemma.

For both of us, Tribune.

I want his body here by tonight.

The disciples are key. We find them, we find him.

CLAVIUS: For your help.

There's more if you assist us further.

The Nazarene's disciples, how many are there?

Their names? Their plans? Their w*apon caches?

Where do they gather? Who leads them now?

Where are they hiding his corpse?

Work quickly.

There are 12.

Well, 11 now.

Yeshua's inner circle.

All hiding. I know not where. Do you have names again?

I'll give you one.

(MEN GRUNTING)

Who's Bartholomew?

I am he.

Bring him.

What do you hope to win by spreading fantasy?

By mine own eyes, Tribune, I... I walked with him.

He spoke to me. (CHUCKLES) It's unbelievable, but it is so.

Then conjure him up.

Right now.

(CHUCKLES)

Or show me the body he must have shed like a snake skin.

God is not at my beck and call.

God?

Yahweh manifests himself through a crazy, poor, dead Jew.

(LAUGHS)

Well, so it appears.

And what does this rebirth mean?

(STAMMERS)

Eternal life.

For everyone, everyone who believes.

Marvelous recruiting tool.

Much better than salt. (SNICKERS)

How many are you?

Well, we are few for now, and our only w*apon is love.

But this, well, this changes everything.

What are your intentions?

Why do you fear him so? This empire means nothing to him.

"Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's." That's what he taught us.

What if I ordered your crucifixion?

(STAMMERS) Well, I would happily submit. Strike.

Ever watch a man crucified?

No.

No.

I don't remember seeing you there, probably because you ran.

Didn't you?

Shall I tell you what you missed?

Feel it.

Imagine having this driven through your arms.

And then the same driven through your feet, your feet.

Can you imagine it?

It's what you hang from. Nails, rubbing on bone.

You have to decide what's worse.

The agony here.

(BARTHOLOMEW WINCES)

Or here. (BARTHOLOMEW GROANS)

And choose which t*rture your own weight will inflict constantly.

And then you discover you can't breathe.

And you realize you will never breathe easily again.

And that every breath for the rest of your horrific life will be like sucking through wet cloth.

Yeshua was lucky. He only hung like that for hours.

Most take days, gasping for someone to k*ll them.

And if he still felt anything at the end, he surely felt the spear thrust up under his ribs to pierce his heart and lungs.

I didn't watch closely, but they must have had to break bones getting him down.

Sometimes, they bury them... Enough.

Enough. (SIGHS)

Let's not speak any more of his body.

It must be hideous to look upon by now. But I ask you one last time.

Where are the other disciples? I will not ask again.

Tell me, and you're free.

Give your word.

My word.

Where are they?

They're

everywhere.

(LAUGHS)

(HORSES WHINNYING)

(INSECTS BUZZING)

Are there any others?

None that you could still recognize.

(SIGHS)

Are we finished, Tribune?

It's him?

See the nail holes here, here and here.

The wound in the side.

But the face. I can't tell.

Nor can anyone else.

(SIGHING)

Let it be so, Prefect.

At this point, almost any corpse could be the Nazarene.

I'll still find those who took him. That's the thr*at.

thr*at is a creature with many heads.

Right now, I need you elsewhere. Trouble in Hebron.

But something yet needs unraveling with this.

Just allow me until next week.

Next week, I need you in Hebron.

You are dangerously clever, Tribune.

Can I turn my back on you?

That's what I fear the most, Prefect.

(CHUCKLES)

From the same cloth.

I remember when I was you, so sure, so...

Uh...

I forget.

But in the end, what does it all matter, really?

Pardon?

In a few years, that's us.

TOWER GUARD: Open!

(GATE RATTLING)

What goes?

Rumor has it we're heading to Hebron, so I took the liberty, Tribune.

Your tomb guards have been sighted.

They finally fled the temple.

Where? It's unclear.

But it is said they have come into some money.

I know you wish to triumph, sir.

I know things will happen in time.

Your ambition is noticed.

POLYBIUS: Sing it! (MUSIC PLAYING)

(IN A DRUNK VOICE) That's the one.

Sing the song.

Sing... No, don't stop. Don't stop.

Sing it again! Sing it again, please!

Come on. That was good. They're good, aren't they?

Oh, yes, it's a nice song.

It's a nice song. It's a nice...

(SNIFFS)

Hmm. Pricey wine for a legionary.

You've been hiding. Where did you gain silver like this?

Off a dead man.

(CHUCKLES)

Of course.

So what?

I was pardoned by the Prefect.

Pardoned.

Nothing can be done to me now.

I said what they, uh...

What was proclaimed.

Say it again.

Why?

To see how your tale matches your mate's.

(MUTTERS)

We were att*cked in the night while sleeping by the rabid disciples.

The priests paid you to say this.

They stole his body and bade us say that he is risen.

How did the stone fall 10 paces from the tomb?

It took seven men, myself included, just to roll it closed.

And the ropes weren't cut. They were torn as if thread.

The seals melted like butter. Shall we go there?

No!

Why does it bother you so?

No more lies.

How did they take him?

What happened to the Nazarene's body?

You forgot us. (SOBS)

Forgot! We'd had no supper.

That's why the wine made us slumber. Yeah, yeah, yeah, we slept.

(CHUCKLES)

We'd been up two days since the crucifixion.

What could happen guarding the body of a dead man?

So we closed our eyes in turns for a bit until...

Until what?

Until we was wakened by this terrible...

This terrible...

This terrible flash.

The night was gone.

The air smelled b*rned, and the ropes, they just...

They just exploded.

And the stone flew like a leaf. And all of a sudden, the sun

rose in the tomb.

It was the sun.

It was...

It was everything.

(STAMMERS) And then a figure appeared that I could not gaze upon because of the terrible light, (SNIFFLES) and it wasn't a man.

It wasn't.

And there was this voice all around I could not fathom.

And then we went running. We ran so far and long.

So far, until we could...

(GROANS AND WHIMPERS)

Until we could think again.

(SNIFFLES)

And then we went and told the priests because that's what you bade us do.

And Caiaphas paid you for a different story.

Tribune, I have seen much in the service of the Emperor.

Cannibals and...

And the Blue Celts in Gaul and, uh...

I've seen a man taken by a serpent at sea.

But never I witnessed a moment so, uh...

So...

Explain it to me.

You were drunk.

You saw the dawn burst.

The wine you drank was tainted.

Truly?

Do you suppose?

Maybe it was, uh, opium or frankincense?

Maybe the disciples stole the Nazarene's body with magic, as the priests said or...

Maybe our story is true.

What else could it be?

I don't know.

So I drink.

(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

(LAUGHS)

LUCIUS: Sir.

Tribune.

We have them.

(PEOPLE SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)

WOMAN: It's the Romans!

Come. Come quickly.

That's the house. That's where I lost him. Lost him?

I believe that's where he went in. You believe?

Yes, sir. When coming to tell you, I passed other disciples hurrying this way.

They favor the upper room. You didn't pay for that.

(GRUNTS)

(SHEEP BLEATING)

MAN: It's the Romans. Quickly!

(PEOPLE SHOUTING)

LUCIUS: Tribune.

You six, this side. Check every house, every room.

You five, the other side. I want at least two alive, so spare some!

Go, go! Move! Come on, move!

I'll block the end and work my way back!

No!

(GRUNTS)

(DOOR SQUEAKING)

(LAUGHING SOFTLY)

(ECHOING) Tribune, anything? Tribune?

(SOFTLY) Nothing. Stand down. Return to camp.

Sir? Tribune?

Stand down.

Look for me shortly.

Tribune. Sir, we are close. I can feel it.

I don't need you for this.

(SOFTLY) I don't need you.

Sir.

LUCIUS: Stand down!

Soldiers, stand down!

March on!

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

YESHUA: Welcome, Clavius.

Come join us, brother.

There are no enemies here.

Thomas.

Lord. Thomas, where have you been?

(THOMAS SOBS QUIETLY) (YESHUA LAUGHS)

(ALL LAUGHING)

(YESHUA SHUSHING)

THOMAS: I'm sorry.

YESHUA: (WHISPERS) Sorry? Why are you sorry?

Because I left you.

(YESHUA CHUCKLES)

I'm alive. See?

(THOMAS CRYING QUIETLY)

YESHUA: We have nothing to fear.

We are free.

(YESHUA SHUSHING)

YESHUA: Touch this. THOMAS: Your wound.

And this.

THOMAS: Does it hurt?

(QUIETLY) How can this be?

(ALL GASP)

PETER: Yeshua?

Yeshua?

(GASPING) THOMAS: Yeshua?

Yeshua?

Is he coming back?

MARY MAGDALENE: Where did he go?

How would I know?

What now?

Simon?

He said, "Stay in Jerusalem" till we receive...

(SIGHS)

...some spirit.

Well, what did we just receive?

I don't know.

Galilee. What?

When he appeared on the road, Yeshua said, "Tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they'll see me."

I told you this.

We have seen him.

In Galilee, you'll see him once more.

And avoid them.

(GASPS)

Simon?

(SIGHS)

Then we go.

(ALL LAUGHING)

PETER: We go, brothers. MATTHEW: Be well, Mary.

BARTHOLOMEW: Goodbye, Mary. MAN: Farewell, Mary.

PETER: Glory.

MARY MAGDALENE: Goodbye, brothers. Farewell.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

SOLDIER 1: Up there! SOLDIER 2: Move!

(MAN SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)

(MAN GRUNTS)

Is it a ransom?

"Do not seek me.

"Do not follow or wonder.

"Persecute no one on my behalf.

"I have seen two things which cannot reconcile.

"A man dead without question

"and that same man alive again.

"I pursue him, the Nazarene, to ferret the truth.

"Clavius Aquila Valerius Niger."

It's his seal, sir.

Must be a plague. My right hand turned against me.

How could he follow that Hebrew?

Perhaps it's true.

Well, if it is, I'll k*ll him again.

(WIND WHOOSHING)

(SIGHS)

PETER: Brothers, we go.

Alive, if you can.

Although dead would be less embarrassing.

I'll be in Caesarea.

LUCIUS: Sir.

Moving out! North to Galilee.

Ten days till the Emperor arrives.

Ten days.

Forward.

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)

(BARTHOLOMEW LAUGHS)

Do you need some help, Thomas?

(BLADE SLICES) (PETER SCREAMS)

(GROANS)

I brought water!

(YELLS IN PAIN)

(CONTINUES GROANING)

(YELLS)

Water!

(PANTING)

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)

(PETER GROANS)

That's a scar. I hope you know that.

What's wrong? What's wrong?

PETER: Yahweh, hallowed is your name.

Give us, today, this daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we have also forgiven our debtors.

Lead us not into temptation,

but away from evil.

Amen. Amen.

(ALL LAUGHING)

(CLAPPING HANDS)

CLAVIUS: But the son of Yahweh?

And you believe it?

And you believe it?

After this, yes.

He rises from death, eats, sleeps and then disappears.

(PETER SIGHS)

He has a body, the same vessel Yahweh gives all men.

It is how he has reached out to us.

(SIGHS HEAVILY)

(CHUCKLES)

I haven't every answer.

We're astounded, too.

Why not just show himself to all, then, hmm?

Or can he be slain once more?

(SIGHS) I don't know.

I don't know, I don't know, I don't know.

I wish I did, but I don't.

The answers wait in Galilee?

We are followers. We follow to find out.

I think he is preparing us.

For what?

(SIGHS)

(HORSES NEIGH)

(MAN SHOUTS IN THE DISTANCE)

Down. Oh...

CLAVIUS: Pilate will not let this rest.

(CAMEL BELLOWS)

I bring danger to you all.

They have a tracker.

They can't know we're up here.

(CAMEL GROANS)

They already do.

TRACKER: I found the enemy.

And they're out for blood.

(HORSES NEIGHING)

It doesn't scare us.

Not anymore.

(DISTANT CLAMORING)

Then fear the death of what you're entrusted with.

(CAMEL BELLOWS)

(HORSES NEIGHING)

(SOLDIER GRUNTING)

(WHISPERS) Move back.

(GRUNTING)

CLAVIUS: Down.

(GRUNTS)

CLAVIUS: Put your head down.

(GRUNTING)

CLAVIUS: (WHISPERS) Move, move. Move, move.

TRACKER: This way.

CLAVIUS: Low. Come. Keep low.

Stay down.

(CLAVIUS GASPS)

S... Beneficiarii, please.

(CLAVIUS PANTING)

No quarter, Tribune.

That's what you taught.

A bad lesson.

(SOLDIERS SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)

I give you the teacher.

But let them pass.

LUCIUS: Mmm-mmm-mmm.

The Nazarene?

Vanished.

(HISSES)

(WHISPERS) There are no enemies here.

(SCOFFS)

SOLDIER: Over here!

You hold the world in your hands, Beneficiarii.

Know that.

I believe it resides in these men.

(GRUNTING)

(PANTING)

No one dies today.

No one.

Walk on.

Say nothing.

Remember this.

(INAUDIBLE)

(SEABIRD SQUAWKING)

CLAVIUS: Why do you think here?

It was here that he called us to follow him. Sometimes, he's hard to recognize.

ANDREW: Simon! Simon!

Simon, they want to eat.

Then let's fish.

Let's fish! Come!

ANDREW: (LAUGHS) Come! Come on!

He'll find us!

(ALL LAUGHING)

(ALL YELLING INDISTINCTLY)

PETER: Come on.

(SEABIRD SQUAWKING)

We are here!

Brothers,

let's fish!

(PETER GRUNTS)

Pull. Pull. That's it.

(SIGHS EXHAUSTIVELY)

Cast again?

(BOAT CREAKING)

PETER: Twice more.

Then sleep till the sun wakes you.

(SPLASHES)

(LAUGHING)

YESHUA: Any luck?

Try the right side again.

(SCOFFS)

No.

PETER: What...

Brothers. Andrew. Move.

ANDREW: What's happening? Prepare the net. John!

ANDREW: Wake up. Philip. Brother.

Spread. Prepare the nets.

(PANTING)

PETER: Cast.

(SHOUTING)

What happened? Heave.

APOSTLE: We're too shallow! We just did! We're stuck!

Heave it. Hoist the net, Andrew. It's caught on something.

PETER: It's fish. We're stuck on the bottom.

We're not moving! It's fish.

PETER: It's fish.

(GRUNTING)

It's fish! (ALL LAUGHING)

Fish!

(LAUGHTER CONTINUES)

How did you know?

Faith! (LAUGHS)

Yeshua!

APOSTLES: It's him! It's him! Yeshua!

PETER: Yeshua!

(LAUGHTER CONTINUES)

Brothers.

JOHN: It's him! It's him.

PETER: Pass it. THOMAS: Thank you, Peter.

PETER: Water? THOMAS: No, thank you.

Brother? Brother, water.

(INAUDIBLE)

Did you know he would rise?

He said he would, but, truth be told, we doubted it.

(LAUGHS SOFTLY)

Then what made you follow him?

WOMAN: Leper! Go! (GRUNTS)

Get out of here!

Go!

MEN: (YELLING) Leper! Leper!

Leper! Out!

Get out! Out! Out!

WOMAN: Get out of here! Leper! (GRUNTS)

Leper!

Hmm.

(PEOPLE GRUNTING)

(WOMAN SPITS)

He's going to do it.

Do what?

THADDEUS: He's going to heal that man.

(LEPER GROANS)

How?

Watch. Just watch.

No one touches me.

A miracle.

We saw them many times, Roman.

(LEPER CRYING SOFTLY)

YESHUA: Ah.

(LEPER CONTINUES CRYING)

Mmm.

YESHUA: Do you have faith? (LEPER SOBS)

Come, stand.

Ah.

PETER: Brothers.

That's why.

(CHUCKLES SLOWLY)

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

PETER: What do you search for?

Trouble. It will come.

This threatens them.

Pilate, Caiaphas and Rome.

Then there's trouble this way as well.

Have faith, Tribune.

(CHIRPING LOUDLY)

Peter, let's walk a little farther.

Why?

To be closer.

Simon, do you love me?

Yes. You know that I do.

YESHUA: Do you love me? PETER: (CHUCKLES) Yes.

Simon, do you love me? With all my heart.

Then you must feed my lambs.

(CHIRPING AND WHOOSHING)

(ANIMAL HOWLING IN THE DISTANCE)

(GROANS SOFTLY)

(CHUCKLES SLOWLY)

I don't even know what to ask.

(SOFTLY) Speak your heart.

I cannot reconcile all this

with the world I know.

With your own eyes you've seen, yet still you doubt.

Imagine the doubt of those who have never seen. That's what they face.

What frightens you?

Being wrong.

Wagering eternity on it.

Well, then, know Him.

When you d*ed,

I was present.

(VOICE BREAKING)

I helped.

I know.

What is it you seek, Clavius?

Certainty? Peace?

A day without death?

(LAUGHS SOFTLY)

PHILLIP: Wake up, brothers!

Brothers, wake up. James, he's gone! Brothers, wake up, wake up.

APOSTLE 1: He's gone. APOSTLE 2: What?

PHILLIP: Yeshua is gone. John, wake up!

Brothers! Yeshua!

APOSTLE 3: Where is he? APOSTLE 4: Come on, brothers.

Where's he gone? Yeshua!

Yeshua! Where is he?

Yeshua! Yeshua!

Yeshua! Brother!

(RUMBLING)

PETER: Brothers.

(ECHOING) I go to prepare a place for you.

Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all nations.

You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judaea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.

And know that I will be with you.

Always.

(RUMBLING CONTINUES)

(WIND HOWLING)

(GASPING)

Lord?

(ALL SOBBING)

(SIGHS)

JOHN: It's not just about life eternal.

It's how life is lived, by the sword or by love.

And it changes you here.

It's time.

Bye, brothers.

That's actually rather good. Mmm, it's beautiful.

I may use that again.

ALL: Amen.

Amen.

Bye, brothers. Peace be with you, brothers.

Farewell.

Till the next time we meet in his presence. Goodbye, brother.

Bless you, Peter. MATTHEW: Farewell.

THOMAS: Take care, brothers. Take care.

Farewell, brothers.

Join us, Tribune.

Jerusalem only bodes trouble.

Ah, trouble and this spirit he promised. We are called to receive it there, Roman.

Your call is to fish.

(CHUCKLES)

Aye, for men.

How can I do anything else now?

Will you fish, too, Clavius?

(SIGHS)

Then, farewell, brother.

Farewell.

God bless and keep you.

I will always have you with me.

Always. (CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

APOSTLE: Peter, come!

Brothers! (LAUGHING)

APOSTLE: Peter!

Brother!

Wait!

JAMES: That way?

I doubt we'll ever hear from them again.

Tribune?

(CLAVIUS INHALES QUIETLY)

My payment.

Tribune,

do you truly believe all this?

(SOFTLY) I believe...

I can never be the same.