Das Jesus Video (2002) (TV)

Director:

Sebastian Niemann

Writers:

Andreas Eschbach (novel)
Martin Ritzenhoff (writer)

Release Date:

5 December 2002 (Germany)

Genre:

Action | Thriller | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Fantasy

Tagline:

An adventure that started 2000 years ago...

Plot:

STEFFEN VOGT, aged around 25, is helping out at a German archeological excavation in Israel when he...

Plot Keywords:

Israel | Time Travel | Bare Chested Male | Ancient Israel | Archeology

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Matthias Koeberlin	...	Steffen
Naike Rivelli	...	Sharon
Manou Lubowski	...	Yehoshua
Hans Diehl	...	Scafaro
Dietrich Hollinderbäumer	...	John Kaun
Heinrich Giskes	...	Professor Willfort
Robinson Reichel	...	Roland Jung
Klaus Grünberg	...	Man with broken nose
Pierre Semmler	...	Christopher
Frank Scharl	...	Ryan
Mario Holetzeck	...	Dan
Gode Benedix	...	Dr. Simmon (as Gode Bendix)
Torsten Jerabek	...	Agent 1
Andreas Cremer	...	Agent 2
Dounia Tazi	...	Ausgrabungshelferin

Also Known As:

Ancient Relic (USA) (video title)
The Hunt for the Hidden Relic (USA)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence.

Runtime:

182 min | Netherlands:124 min

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | USA:R | Germany:12 | Netherlands:12

Filming Locations:

Casablanca, Morocco

Company:

Medienfonds GFP

Trivia:

One of the two helicopters on the chase near the end, the white and orange one, has a Spanish registration number: EC-FJA. Just some months after the release of the movie, this helicopter suffered an accident while performing fire-fighting tasks. Fortuntelly, all 7 on board escaped unharmed, but the main rotor caught fire and the whole aircraft was destroyed on this new fire.

Better than the book; worse than the book

This is not another Nazi film, although is is German, and it is eerily similar to Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Based upon a novel by Andreas Eschbach, you get two contrasting opinions on the film compared to the book. At over three hours, you will think you are reading a novel, rather than watching a film.

It is a suspense thriller/time-travel movie. Archaeologists find bones that are carbon dated at 2000 years, but there are amalgam fillings in the teeth and a rod in the leg that can only be seven years old. In addition, there is a plastic bag withe instructions for a video camera that is not even on the market.

Only one explanation, and the German title, Das Jesus Video, gives a better clue to what was going on.

While the archaeologists are trying to decipher the riddle, there is a group led by a man in a secret organization descended from the Spanish Inquisition, much like Silas in The Da Vinci Code. Both have no qualms about killing for Jesus.

Lots of action, and great stunt work, along with blood and torture, as the two groups go after the video camera that allegedly has the face of Jesus. Some surprises at the end, as expected, which add to the mystery.