''Barabbas'' () is a 2012 American-Italian television movie directed by Roger Young.

Plot summary

The film opens in first-century Jerusalem during the politically turbulent period of Roman occupation. Barabbas, (portrayed by

Billy Zane William George Zane Jr. (born February 24, 1966) is an American actor. His breakthrough role was in the Australian film ''Dead Calm (film), Dead Calm'' (1989), a performance that earned him a nomination for the Chicago Film Critics Association, ...

), is introduced as a notorious bandit and revolutionary leader who has been imprisoned by the Roman authorities for his crimes against the state. His character is established as a hardened criminal who leads a band of thieves and rebels operating in the hills surrounding Jerusalem, conducting raids against Roman installations and Jewish collaborators. The central pivotal moment occurs during the Passover festival when Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judaea (played by

Filippo Nigro Filippo Nigro (born 3 December 1970) is an Italian actor. Life and career Born in Rome, Nigro studied at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia under Lina Wertmüller. After a minor role in the 2001 Ferzan Ozpetek's drama film ''The Ignor ...

), offers the traditional amnesty to the Jewish people. Following established custom, Pilate presents the crowd with a choice between two prisoners: Jesus of Nazareth, a religious teacher accused of claiming to be the King of the Jews, and Barabbas, the convicted murderer and insurrectionist. In a dramatic scene that forms the emotional core of the narrative, the assembled crowd chooses to spare Barabbas while condemning Jesus to crucifixion. Following his unexpected release, Barabbas experiences profound psychological turmoil and spiritual confusion. Unable to comprehend why an innocent man died in his place, he becomes obsessed with understanding Jesus's teachings and the growing movement of his followers. The film explores Barabbas's internal struggle through a series of encounters with key Christian figures, including the apostles Peter and other disciples who witness to him about Jesus's resurrection and the transformative power of faith. The narrative structure employs extensive flashbacks to reveal Barabbas's criminal past and his relationships with fellow outlaws, while simultaneously following his present-day journey of spiritual discovery. As he investigates the claims about Jesus's resurrection, Barabbas finds himself caught between his former life of violence and rebellion and the possibility of redemption offered by the Christian message. The film depicts Barabbas's gradual transformation as he witnesses the courage and faith of early Christians facing persecution under Roman rule. Through his relationship with Ester (

Cristiana Capotondi Cristiana Capotondi (born 13 September 1980) is an Italian actress. Early life and career Capotondi was born in Rome to an Italian family of mixed Italian Catholic and Italian Jewish background (her maternal grandfather was Jewish). Growing ...

) and other Christian converts, he begins to understand concepts of forgiveness, sacrifice, and unconditional love that challenge his worldview shaped by violence and survival. The climactic sequences involve Barabbas's confrontation with both his criminal associates and Roman authorities, as his association with Christians puts him in danger. The film explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the cost of discipleship as Barabbas must ultimately choose between returning to his former life or embracing the faith that has begun to transform him. The story concludes with Barabbas's final decision regarding his beliefs and his willingness to accept the consequences of following Christ, presenting his journey as an allegory for the universal human struggle between sin and salvation, doubt and faith.

Cast

Barabbas According to the New Testament, Barabbas () was a Jewish bandit and rabble-rouser who was imprisoned by the Judaea (Roman province), Roman occupation in Jerusalem, only to be chosen over Jesus by a crowd to be pardoned by Roman governor Pontius ...

as Ester *

Pontius Pilate Pontius Pilate (; ) was the Roman administration of Judaea (AD 6–135), fifth governor of the Judaea (Roman province), Roman province of Judaea, serving under Emperor Tiberius from 26/27 to 36/37 AD. He is best known for being the official wh ...

Anna Valle Anna Valle (born 19 June 1975) is an Italian actress and beauty pageant titleholder. Life and career Born in Rome, Anna Valle lived in Ladispoli up to thirteen years; after the separation of her parents she moved to Sicily, in Lentini, the c ...

Claudia Procula The unnamed wife of Pontius Pilate appears only once in the Gospel of Matthew (27:19), where she intercedes with Pilate on Jesus' behalf. It is uncertain whether Pilate was actually married, although it is likely. In later tradition, she becomes k ...

* Tommaso Ramenghi as Dan * Matteo Branciamore as

Judas Judas Iscariot (; ; died AD) was, according to Christianity's four canonical gospels, one of the original Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. Judas betrayed Jesus to the Sanhedrin in the Garden of Gethsemane, in exchange for thirty pieces of ...

Hristo Shopov Hristo Naumov Shopov (, ; born 4 January 1964) is a Bulgarian actor. Shopov's father, Naum Shopov, was a famous Bulgarian actor as well. He is most noted for his 2004 portrayal of Pontius Pilate in Mel Gibson's ''The Passion of the Christ''. S ...

as Kedar *

Marco Foschi Marco Foschi (born 1 April 1977) is an Italian actor and voice actor. He played in the 2012 film '' King of the Sands'' directed by Najdat Anzour and in the 2012 American-Italian television movie ''Barabbas'', as Jesus. Filmography Cinema ...

Jesus Jesus (AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, and many Names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament, other names and titles, was a 1st-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the Jesus in Chris ...

Paolo Seganti Paolo Seganti (born 20 May 1964 in Rovereto, Trentino, Italy), is an Italian actor and model, known for playing Damian Grimaldi in the CBS television soap opera ''As the World Turns''. Career Seganti is known for his portrayal of Damian Grimald ...

as Valerius Flaccus *

Franco Castellano Franco Castellano (20 June 1925 – 28 December 1999) was an Italian screenwriter and film director. He wrote for 94 films between 1958 and 1997. He also directed 21 films between 1964 and 1992. Most of the films he co-wrote and co-directed ...

Peter Peter may refer to: People * List of people named Peter, a list of people and fictional characters with the given name * Peter (given name) ** Saint Peter (died 60s), apostle of Jesus, leader of the early Christian Church * Peter (surname), a su ...

* Giampiero Judica as Jezer *

Valentina Carnelutti Valentina Carnelutti (born 6 February 1973) is an Italian actress. She has appeared in more than 40 films since 1995. Selected filmography References External links * 1973 births Living people Italian film actresses {{Italy- ...

Mary Mary may refer to: People * Mary (name), a female given name (includes a list of people with the name) Religion * New Testament people named Mary, overview article linking to many of those below * Mary, mother of Jesus, also called the Blesse ...

References

External links

* 2012 television films 2012 films English-language Italian films Italian drama television films American television films Films based on the Gospels Films based on Swedish novels Films directed by Roger Young 2012 drama films Cultural depictions of Pontius Pilate Remakes of Italian films Television remakes of films 2010s English-language films {{tv-drama-film-stub

Plot summary

Cast

See also

References

External links