Ave,
around easter time there came this another new "Jesus" TV-movie out beside the more "famous" new "Anno Domini"-series. It was called "Killing Jesus" starring Arab actor Haaz Sleiman as Jesus portraying him more as a hardened Jewish rebellous preacher and not as a pacifcist hippie philosopher.
I got my hands on an uncut version (due to the violence it was censored on TV in many countries) and can telly you now a bit more about it.
It got lots of bashing from right-wing and conservative so-called "christians" but that doesnt matter, since we are interested in the torture and crucifixion scenes, arent we? - and they are very, very good in my opinion (but not "perfect").
The scourging scene is done in a way I have not seen before, since there is no flogging post or something like that, but some type of strapping device for the fixation of the prisoner, similar to modern devices used still today in countries of Asia or Arabia where torture and flogging is used today. I dont know if this is historically accurate, but its an interesting variation on methods we know from other movies. The flogging is not as overdone as in the Gibson-movie, but still bloody and I think the "special effects" of ripping the flesh are excellent and far better and more realistic than in the Gibson movie.
The carrying of the crossbeam is also different from most other movies, since the beam is not "balanced" over his shoulders and bound to his arms, but is carried "free" by being dragged behind.
I have to admit that actor Haaz Sleiman really has an excellent body - hunky, muscular, hairy, but not too much. Since he is carrying the crossbeam only with his loincloth - which is, by the way, in the "traditional" flapping style and looks pretty good (even if I know that most members would prefer it naked), you get a good impression of his hunky body.
The crucifixion scene does NOT show the nailing to the crossbeam - which is a pity, of course - but starts with the nailing of the feet. Jesus has already been nailed to the crossbeam (through the wrists) and the beam has been raised on top of the (low) pole forming the "T" of the cross. There is no support, no footrest, no seat. One soldier is forcing Jesus´ (dirty) feet with the soles flat against the pole, knees bent, puts one foot over the other and holding them tight, while the executioner soldier positions the spike and drives them into the top foot with a mighty blow.
This has to be the longest "nailing of the feet"-scene I have ever seen. It lasts almost a minute and it takes twelve strokes of the hammer to drive the spike completely through both feet and into the wood of the pole. You see it from different perspectives, from frontal, from above, from the side, alternating with Jesus´cries, jerking and moaning while his feet are being pierced by the nail.
I also like the excellent sound design in this scene. Its not only the usual "hammer on metal" clinging, but also the "crunching" and "splattering" sounds (almost like in horror movie) indicating that the spike went not always "softly" between the bones of the toes through the flesh, but could crush and pierce bones (maybe the ankle bones) as well, what may be the reason why so many strokes of the hammer were needed.
I like the idea that the cross is as "simple" as possible, the "T", could be a cross used for slaves or rebels as well - no special treatment for the "king" (beside the "sign"). On Golgotha Jesus´ cross is standing on the right side and not in the center as usual, indicating that his death was only a standard execution for the Roman authority.
The death struggle is not very long with the traditional words from the cross, but there is an interesting scene when a soldier is extracting the spike from Jesus´wrist with a tool indicating the nails were re-used in other crucifixions.
The production values of this movie are very high, good Roman uniforms and clothes - only some wigs and beards look too much "faked".
Whats missing in my opinion is a good stripping scene and the conversation with the "thieves" (you see the other two crucifixion victims only from far away)
Conclusion: I can recommend this stuff very much if you are interested in the "classic" (christian) crucifixion story. No nakedness, no erections, no cocks and no anal penetration - but a good crucifixion.
On youtube is a low-res (uncut) version in bad quality, but its worth checking out, before you buy or download it from other sources. But be aware, that many versions are cut (the flogging and the nailing are censored).
best regards
Ty.
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