Summary:
From the award-winning producers of the record-breaking miniseries The Bible, Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, comes Son of God, the larger-than-life story of The New Testament, to be released by 20th Century Fox. Son of God is a major motion picture that brings the life of Jesus Christ to the big screen like never before.
Told with the scope and scale of an action epic, the film features powerful performances, exotic locales, dazzling visual effects and a rich orchestral score from Oscar®- winner Hans Zimmer. Award-winning actor Diogo Morgado portrays Jesus as the film spans from his humble birth through his teachings, crucifixion and ultimate resurrection.
Year: 2013
Australian Cinema Release Date: 29th May, 2014
Australian DVD Release Date: TBA
Country: USA
Director: Christopher Spencer
Screenwriter: Richard Bedser, Christopher Spencer, Colin Swash, Nic Young
Cast: Noureddine Aberdine (Jospeh of Arimathea), Jassa Ahluwalia (Young David), Nonso Anozie (Samson), Fraser Ayres (Barabbas), Rick Bacon (Herod Antipas), Said Bey (Matthew), Paul Brightwell (Malchus), Andrew Brooke (Antonius), Anas Chenin (Lazarus), Joe Coen (Joseph), Paul Marc Davis (Simon The Pharisee), Louise Delamere (Claudia), Roma Downey (Mary, Mother Of Jesus), Matthew Gravelle (Thomas), Greg Hicks (Pilate), William Houston (Moses), Langley Kirkwood (King David), Sebastian Knapp (Paul), Paul Knops (Adam), Simon Kunz (Nicodemus), Darcie Lincoln (Eve), Leila Mimmack (Young Mary), Diogo Morgado (Jesus), Sanaa Mouziane (Martha), Patrice Naiambana (Balthazar), Gary Oliver (Abraham), Daniel Percival (John The Baptist), Amber Rose Revah (Mary Magdalene), David Rintoul (Noah), Adrian Schiller (Caiaphas), Stewart Scudamore (Ramesses), Darwin Shaw (Peter), Idrissa Sisco (Simon of Cyrene), Conan Stevens (Goliath), Joe Wredden (Judas)
Runtime: 138 mins
Classification: M
OUR SON OF GOD REVIEWS & RATINGS:
Greg King: You can check out Greg’s Son Of God review on The Good The Bad The Ugly Film Show Ep #81
David Griffiths:
One of the surprises of 2013 was the succsess of the television mini-series The Bible. Despite the popular belief that there is no room for religion in modern day society the visionary mini-series ended up becoming one of the most watched television events in history. While the DVD continues to sell strongly the producer of the mini-series Mark Burnett has decided that now would be a good time to bring the ‘Jesus’ part of the series to the big screen with Son Of God.
Told through the eyes of John (Sebastian Knapp – Forest Of The Damned 2, High Plains Invader) the films follows Jesus (Diogo Morgado – Born To Race: Fast Track, TV’S Revenge) from his birth in a lowly manager, through to the recruitment of his disciples and the fact that his miracles end up with the leaders of the land feeling threatened by him. So much so that they recruit the Governor, Pilate (Greg Hicks – Burton And Taylor, Snow White And The Huntsman) to have Jesus crucified.
The biggest problem with Son Of God is that it never seems to run smoothly, you can tell that it is footage that has been taken out of something much bigger. It never really gels together like a film should instead it’s like where you are listening to a band’s greatest hits CD rather than listening to an actual album.
Son Of God never really gets to the crust of who Jesus Christ was. Instead of becoming a deep exploring character study into one of the most interesting people to have lived in world history it simply just skims the surface showing the major miracles that Jesus performed rather than delving a bit deeper and finding out what it was actually like for him growing up wearing the tag ‘son of God.’ Likewise his friendships and relationships are never fully explored and you get about as much feeling for his character here as you would driving past a Church and glancing at a depiction of him on the building’s wall.
To his credit director Christopher Spencer (Spying On Hitler’s Army: The Secret Recordings, Falklands’ Most Daring Raid) does give Son Of God a little bit of edge. Firstly he doesn’t hold back on the violence that is clearly depicted in the Bible. There are some people meeting some grisly endings at the hands of Roman soldiers whether it be a swift sword through the stomach or a rather confronting child murder committed when it is decided that a cart is hindering Pilate’s journey. Then he makes the brave decision of giving Mary Magdalene (London Life, TV’S Foyle’s War) are much larger role in Jesus’ social circle than most filmmakers would have dared to. A brave decision but a worthy tribute to one of the Bible’s most interesting characters.
As a film Son Of God doesn’t really give its cast much of a chance to shine. Diogo Morgado is just kind of so-so as Jesus, when really this should of been a role that announced him to the world. No actor who gets to play any of the disciples really gets a chance to shine and while Sebastian Knapp and Joe Wredden (TV’S The Musketeers, TV’S MI-5), who plays Judas, get more screen time they again are not really given anything meaty to work with. The one actor who can hold his head high though is Greg Hicks who works well with what he is given and does his best to his portrayal of Pilate a memorable one.
Son Of God is held back by the fact that it’s low budget never allows for the huge CGI effects that are needed at time, even during establishing shots of the cities at hand. The film is also held back by the fact that it is a mish-mash of scenes from a television series. Still it does have its moments and gets its message across strongly. Worth a look but could have been oh so much better with more gifted filmmakers at the helm.
Average Subculture Rating (out of 5):
IMDB Rating: 
Other Subculture Media Reviews of ‘Son Of God′: For our full Son Of God review please check The Good The Bad The Ugly Film Show Ep #81
Trailer: