Posted on 04/12/2015 3:41:29 PM PDT by NYer
Tonight, NBC airs episode two of “A.D.: The Bible Continues,” in which Jesus’ Apostles and disciples must move beyond the Lord’s Crucifixion and deal with His Resurrection and all that implies for their futures and that of the world.
Chief among these is Simon, now called Peter, an ordinary Galilean fisherman who now finds himself the leader of a movement that has suddenly become far more than he ever dreamed it would be — and in turn, becomes more himself then he thought possible.
Speaking after a press even in Pasadena, California, in January, British actor Adam Levy (at right, above), who plays Peter, said, “Peter is just a worker, he’s a fisherman, and he’s illiterate. That’s the premise. He’s never written anything. The thing is, if you talk in the language of workers, everybody will hear you. If you talk in the language of scholars, only scholars will hear you.
“So, I think Jesus needed somebody to stand up and say, ‘I can talk to everyone.’ At that point, Peter doesn’t know that. He didn’t know he could speak. Within the first, three, four hours, he finds his voice.”
Gambian actor Babou Ceesay (at left, above), who plays John — the Apostle who stood at the foot of the Cross — said at the press conference:
The most powerful thing that comes out of “A.D.” for me is this idea that, once the Crucifixion happens and after the Resurrection, the message is left in the hands of people, just people, against the might of Rome, against a completely different ideology, a very simple message, one that’s not popular, that’s just, “show some love, some patience.”
And this small group of people did actually change the world, through a series of luck, faith, courage. We talk about dying all the time. “We’re going to die today. We’re going to die tomorrow for sure.”
Levy then added:
Peter holds the secret that Jesus told him, that, “You will die for me.” I can’t tell the rest of the gang, because they might run.
After the press conference, Ceesay said, “The first few episodes are all about post-Crucifixion. There’s not much space for anything but support, warmth and courage. In later episodes, the part becomes funny, but in those moments,he takes a space between something happening and a response, whereas other people, something happens, they respond.
“Something happens, he’ll think about it, realize that it means nothing in the big scene of things. I have lots of moments where Peter’s doubting, Thomas is doubting, and at end of it all, I’ll just go, ‘End this.’”
Also, today the first episode of the Web companion series “Beyond A.D.” became available at NBC.com and through other place. Click here to learn more about that at Pax Culturati, my blog at Patheos — and see what premiere-episode guest, former NFL QB Kurt Warner, has to say about Peter and quarterbacking Team Jesus.
Ping!
Lots of “diversity.” I think two of the actors are from Gambia and one is Nigerian. I know there are lots of good Christians from Nigeria, in fact, we import lots of them into Arizona, they are excellent priest. It just takes me out of the story.
I like seeing actors who are Mediterranean looking, and whoever portrays Jesus Christ must have screen magnetism; all of them should speak with British accents. And they must be skinny. I don’t think apostles that lived on the generosity of others should have paunches.
That is what I like and I guess, how I have been conditioned.
I’m DVRing it so my husband and I can watch together when the kids are tucked in. I wanted to get the Catholic viewer’s guide but forgot. This past Thursday at RCIA, the group presented me with one!
I like this John portrayal better than the usual girly-boy with flowing locks, a la DaVinci...
Only the villains and Romans and Herod should have British accents…I always laugh when the Roman is really a Brit...
I was pleased that last week’s episode was a “religious” movie that was the closest to the New Testament narrative. I was quite pleased to see how faithful the writers were to the NT and hopefully, the Gospels and the Book of Acts....looking forward to watching tonight....
It’s a great idea to air during the Easter season. Please pass one what you learned in the guide ( when you find it). I would be very interested.
In the 60s Dino deLaurentiis made, “The Greatest Story Ever Told.” Everybody in Hollywood had a part in that picture: John Wayne was the Centurion at the foot of the Cross- about a five-minute role! Anyway, a fine actor, Max von Sydow, played Jesus. As good as he was, he was older-looking than 33, and had this short, blunt haircut! I agree with you, about the way a person is conditioned; the look was distracting!
I’m looking forward to seeing this new version tonight- I missed last week’s and don’t have DVR.
unfortunately, I know people who will be watching the Long Island Medium instead. They say it’s ok, she goes to mass and her priest never told her what she was doing was wrong.
My all-time favorite movie of Jesus was and is “The Passion of the Christ”.
FWIW, the director was Shane's George Stevens, not Dino deLaurentiis. But yes, Wayne's performance as the centurion was a bit problematic, if this article can be believed:
His line was supposed to be simple and direct. As Jesus dies on the cross, with the wind howling, rain falling, and dramatic music rising, the Roman centurion declares, “Truly this man was the son of God.”Simple enough, right? How can anyone mess that up? Apparently, the Duke was not too thrilled about working on this film under Stevens, so he kept flubbing the line and saying it too generically. Finally, after numerous re-takes, Stevens yelled at Wayne, telling him to “Put some awe into it!” because of how important the scene would be. Annoyed and angry, Wayne took the direction literally, and when filming began, announced sarcastically in his Midwestern cowboy drawl, “AWE! Truly this man was the son of God!”
The only thing more hilarious was the fact that THIS end up being the take incorporated in the final cut of the film. I guess all the other takes were so AWE-ful that Stevens’ only choice was to use this one.
I don’t think Peter was illiterate. If he grew up as a Jewish boy he would have been educated enough in a synagogue to read the scriptures wouldn’t he?
However, it might explain why the Book of Mark and the Peter Epistles were dictated.
A question: Do you think that the Apostles and other disciples had that much difficulty leaving Jerusalem?
Sad, but true. I know a lot of people who feel that way about psychics, tarot, ouija boards, etc. The Church prohibits that, but they laugh at me when I try to talk to them.
Funny, that was one of two roles Duke just didn’t fit, much as I love him (the other was Ghengis Khan)! Sorry’bout that, you’re right, Dino D. didn’t produce that one. I had a friend who used to imitate that so perfectly...
I think the Passion was totally amazing. If you want to see a wonderful depiction of Jesus’ entire life, “Jesus of Nazareth” by Franco Zeffirelli is my favorite.
Thank you for reminding me both episodes are on my DVR:)
Looking for a quiet time with family to view.
It's a movie that I wanted to love, but IMO it's the Worstest Gospel Story Ever Sold. Watch these two scenes to see what I mean:
What commandment is first of all?: "On the seventh day, you shall rest. And rest. And rest some more." (starts at 2:00)
Jesus ascends into Heaven and gives the Great Commission: "Don't worry, be happy." (starts at 4:55)
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