Paul, Apostle for Christ is a Remarkable Movie
Paul, Apostle for Christ features a striking performance by James Faulkner as Paul. Reverend, serious and focusing on the love of Christ, Faulkner nails the role. The use of scripture is well utilized throughout the film. Instead of reading the words of Paul, we hear him utter them. A few members of the underground church want to attack the blood-thirsty Romans. Paul tells Luke, played by Jim Caviezel (who played Jesus in Passion of the Christ), "We cannot overcome evil with evil. Only good overcomes evil." He also gives the almost identical quote which is taken from Romans 5:20, "Where sin abounds, grace much more abounds". Paul continues to emphasize the love of God, especially when dealing with those who seek vengeance. As the story unfolds it is A.D. 67, and Emperor Nero has imprisoned Paul in Mamertine Prison. Paul has been spreading the gospel and Nero is unhappy with him. The Prefect of the territory, Mauritius (portrayed by Olivier Martinez), is focusing on halting the spread of Christianity as he would halt a plague. Yet when Mauritius' daughter becomes gravely ill, he allows the physician Luke to attend to her.
The film features nice production values and does a wonderful job in showcasing Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus. Ananias shows up and prays for Paul's blindness following the loss of his sight due to the brightness of Christ appearing to him. Of course his eye sight is restored and Paul, once a chief persecutor of the church, becomes one of its greatest champions. The movie features events from the book of Acts and various quotes from Paul's epistles but it is also based on historical tradition.
Persecution is a large part of the film and the audience is exposed to bloody hands, a few scenes featuring a pool of blood, and a few violent moments but it is not gratuitous. The film is well directed and the story is inspiringly dramatized. The final scenes lead up to Paul's beheading, after he quotes, "I have fought a good fight, I have run my race, I have kept the faith." Authenticity is a strong point in this movie. The various sets, costumes and Paul's dialog make this an enjoyable viewing experience for the Christian. And it is a powerful witness for non Christians. Paul's loving response, even to the Romans, is a theme throughout. Paul convincingly reminds everyone around him, including Luke, that being a Christian means living differently than others. It is not an exaggeration to say that James Faulkner brings the Paul of the Bible to life on the big screen.
Paul's adversities, his triumphs, and his steel-like determination to hold fast no matter how bad the test of his faith, powerfully and grippingly convinces the audience that this was a man who was changed, and changed not by his own power, but by the love of God. This movie is a must-see and should not be missed. It is recommended for those close to the age of twelve and above.
