My two cents on the movie, based on the “Pre-sale” version -
First 30-40 minutes was very good, considering the budget constraints. Actually had a plot, made a nice prequel to the rest of the movie and made it more then just a S&M movie.
The whipping scene is pretty well done, and the change to all three being whipped at the same time was a good one. The ropes should have been chained versus tied though. The budget certainly could have accommodated that. The ropes work, but shackled wrists would have provided a more “Roman” quality. Simonne showed her acting talent with her feistiness when being tied and again when the crossbeam is being place on her shoulders.
The walk to the crucifixion was just too long. Almost 20 minutes if my count is right. It could easily have been shaved to 15, maybe less. This would have allowed more time for the crux sequence development if there was a 90 minute hard stop requirement. There should also have been some close up scenes with dialogue between Yahel and the lady in white (character name escapes me) while she is marching up the hill. Would have added drama and broken up the long dialogue free drought.
I have already given my opinion on the unnecessarily long hair.
It looks like Yahel's nailing scene was supposed to include a ground angle shot of her looking up at the others, and maybe them saying something to the Romans to release her. Otherwise, why was she not nailed to the cross member at the foot of the post like the others. That would have been a great scene addition. Another opportunity lost.
Why were they standing on the cross? A sedile type support could easily been added during the raising process that would have provided support to allow the knees to be bent, or they all could have just sunk down the way Mila sort of did to give the impression of actually hanging. For a group that claims to have all this experience in crux films, that look was terrible.
The foot nailing was nothing short of moronic. Nobody is going to just stand there motionless during that. Their feet should have been tied.
The lack of dialogue between the crucified 3 and between the 3 and the crowd is unforgivable. The "dialogue rehearsal" short to raise funds basically promised it. And it would have added so much more to the crux scene drama . There is no cost for it, as is set-up is already there. This is one of those things that, for me anyway, makes me not trust these folks to do what the say they will when asking for funds. Maybe the final cut added some stuff in, but if not, this is total crap.
Should have incorporated a person going up on a ladder and tying off the cross member. The white rope that prevents the cross member from twisting just shows up. Could have also provide for shot from the cross looking down on the crowd, and again, that the person engage in dialogue with one or more of the women.
I get this was a low budget affair. Certainly didn't expect 100’s extras, a massive stone citadel, village, etc. However, I did expect the dialog from the cross and the ladies to at least look like they are hanging versus standing. For a group of folks who claim to have crux movie expertise, the crux scene was very disappointing.
