Original subtitles

(light dramatic music)

(upbeat music) (chanting)

(girl giggling) (muffled talking)

Do you hear that?

They're claiming that's the king of Israel.

It's none of my business.

He doesn't threaten the interest of Rome.

To proclaim oneself the son of God

is an intolerable sacrilege.

According to your laws, perhaps, not ours.

You're wrong.

I know wrong better than you.

I fear it will mean certain rebellion

in every village in Israel.

I have enough men to crush any rebellion.

No one will stop them if

they believe the messiah has come.

I see no armies ready to follow him.

Your wife was seen among those who listen to him.

We wouldn't be masters of the world

if we didn't take an interest in everything.

We will all pay for your mistake.

[Pontius] Meaning?

[Priest] This evil must be stopped.

Go and talk to Herrod.

Sort it out amongst yourselves.

(gate rattling)

My lord!

I have information for you.

Who are you?

What do you want?

(light suspenseful music)

There's going to be an insurrection.

An insurrection against Rome?

Yes, during Passover.

Are you sure?

Yes.

I overhead Barabbas speak of it.

Barabbas.

That's madness to believe anything that criminal says.

Which is why I'm here, my lord.

Barabbas believes in nothing.

He will lead everyone to their death.

Do you know where I can find him?

(coins jingling)

Here in the city, my lord.

Right now.

In front of the Sanhedrin in the crowd.

Waiting to hear if Jesus of Nazareth

will be acquitted or condemned.

And then, Caiaphas approached the Nazarene

and said, "In the name of the living God,

"I entreat you tell us if you are the messiah,

"the Christ, the son of God."

And he answered, "your words, not mine."

(dramatic music)

He's up there, after him! Get him!

[Soldier] Out of the way!

(dramatic music)

(muffled talking)

(door thudding)

Barabbas!

Come!

Here!

In there!

(crashing)

(suspenseful music)

No, no, there's no one!

Ester! (Ester screaming)

(men grunting)

Ester!

Run.

(Barabbas groaning)

If you are the messiah,

why not bring these prison walls down around you?

Why not?

Messiah?

Why not!

Why not bring these prison walls down around you?

Messiah!

Messiah!

Why not?

(dramatic music)

(door creaking)

Ester?

Ester?

Ester?

(gasps) Ester!

Ester.

My baby.

My baby.

(rigid breathing)

(yelling over each other) (chains jingling)

[Soldier] Move!

(dramatic music)

It is the tradition at Passover to set free a prisoner.

One chosen by the people.

You, the people of Jerusalem, will decide.

Which of these two condemned men

do you wish to set free?

Jesus of Nazareth or Barabbas?

(air whipping) (Jesus grunting)

(muffled talking over each other)

(somber music)

Jesus of Nazareth or Barabbas?

Barabbas!

Barabbas!

Barabbas! (muffled talking)

Barabbas! Barabbas!

[Crowd] Barabbas, Barabbas!

Barabbas! Barabbas!

Barabbas! Barabbas!

No, stop it, please.

Barabbas! Barabbas!

(crowd chanting)

Barabbas! Barabbas!

Barabbas! Barabbas!

No!

My lord!

Please!

(light dramatic music)

(muffled chanting)

(thudding) (crowd chanting)

[Soldier] Move!

Please stop them!

I can't.

Jesus is innocent.

It doesn't depend on me.

Then who?

Who and not you?

Who is in charge here, who?

The law!

The people had to decide, and they decided.

They're afraid, Pontius.

Don't you understand?

They still have no idea who he is.

If they had believed in him, they would've saved him.

You shouldn't of let it happen.

I follow the law, Claudia.

No stupid law will ever be enough to justify

you're allowing this to happen.

(somber music)

Don't let her out of your sight.

(whip snapping) (Jesus grunting)

What has any of this achieved?

What's the point of not taking up

the sword and fighting for what you believe in?

You want to go back to jail?

Get outta here before someone realizes

a mistake has been made.

(Jesus grunting) (dramatic music)

(crowd yelling)

You'll get what's coming to you!

(whip snapping) (Jesus grunting)

(man spitting) (whip snapping)

Messiah?

I heard you speak, you're a fraud!

(whip snapping) (Jesus grunting)

(cross thudding)

(dramatic music)

(women cackling)

[Man] Nah, you're faking!

No!

No water!

(dramatic music)

Barabbas.

I'm Judas, one of Jesus' disciples.

We need to talk.

Listen to me, Barabbas.

The moment has come.

What are you talking about?

God wants us to take up arms.

The messiah chose to die rather than do that.

You must tell everyone, you must tell everyone the truth.

What truth?

That God guided my hand.

That through me he led Jesus to his death

and he did it because you were the man with the sword.

You, Barabbas.

You are the messiah.

What are you, what are you talking about?

You must tell them.

[Barabbas] Shut up!

You must tell them

the truth! Get outta here!

Tell them all!

You must tell him about God, the god of weapons,

tell him that he has chosen you,

that Jesus was needed just to prove

that peace is impossible without violence.

That's why you were there, why you were saved,

to show the world that you are the chosen one,

that he wants your sword, Barabbas.

You're the reason God had me hand Jesus over

to the priests of the temple.

Because you are the chosen one.

You will be the one to lead Israel to victory.

Tell him.

Tell who?

Peter.

Come with me.

(muffled kids talking)

Go now, tell him everything.

(footsteps tapping)

Peter.

Have you come to kill me?

Kill you?

No.

Three times.

I was afraid and I denied him three times.

I was a coward.

Just as he predicted.

I offered him my sword and he refused it

and then he took my place on the cross.

I am Barabbas.

(light dramatic music)

Barabbas.

His kingdom is not of this world.

A dead king has no kingdom.

Everything has been fulfilled as it was written.

Why did he not save himself?

Why was I spared?

Only faith can answer your question.

Faith, faith in what?

What faith?

We are still under the thumb of Rome.

You must have faith in him.

He is a dead man, Peter.

He is not dead.

And he is not a man.

(thunder rumbling)

God's will has been done.

What is happening?

What is happening?

(thunder rumbling)

(wind whistling) (singing in foreign language)

(ground crunching)

(Jesus coughing)

Father. (thunder rumbling)

Into your hands I command my spirit.

(thunder rumbling) (wind whistling)

(dramatic music)

(muffled sobbing)

My son, what have they done to you?

Oh no!

(somber music)

(muffled crying)

(thunder cracking)

You must go now.

Please let me stay.

Our orders are to keep people away.

But what are they afraid of?

I don't know.

I'm following orders.

(somber music)

(birds chirping)

What do you want?

Isn't what happened enough for you?

Go away and leave us.

I said go away!

(fist thudding)

Wait.

What do you want, Barabbas?

Just to talk.

To you.

(ground rustling)

Why did you come to me?

Why did he die in my place?

Because he wanted it this way.

I don't understand that.

Only faith can answer your question.

Faith in what?

[Mary] In him.

If he wanted me to have faith in him

he would've taken up the sword against the Romans.

It's not the sword, Barabbas.

He'll forgive you.

Forgive me for what?

It's not my fault that they killed your son.

I'm sorry.

I'm just sorry.

(muffled talking)

(grunting) (dramatic music)

(body thudding)

(man groaning)

(Barabbas yelling)

(man groaning)

(fist thudding)

You should've died on the cross, not Jesus!

(ominous music)

The cross is a symbol of suffering.

Suffering, yes.

I can't think of anything other than his suffering.

Don't touch me, please.

It's over, Claudia.

Over?

He's dead.

He isn't dead.

I wish that were so.

I wish I could tell you it was a lie,

but it's pointless to deny the truth.

He will return.

What are you saying?

Exactly what he said.

He will return.

He will.

(flies buzzing)

[Barabbas] Ester?

(light piano music)

Barabbas!

I'm so happy you're alive.

Let's leave this place.

You and me, right now.

I can't leave.

Why not?

You really don't understand.

You don't understand why you're still alive?

Nothing will be as it was before, Barabbas.

Your place is with me.

No.

My life is here with them.

They need me.

But I, I need you.

I need you!

I'll be here whenever you wish to see me.

Ester, these people are almost dead.

You staying here makes no sense.

What is the point of that?

Jesus taught me blessed are the poor in spirit

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

What about our child, you don't?

You don't care about him either?

I've come to visit him every evening to pray with him.

What happened?

The day they arrested you, I fell.

Our son was lost.

Then I understood that the lord doesn't

want me to have children,

that he wants me to help the sick and the dying.

He doesn't exist, Ester.

You exist, I exist, even our child existed.

I wish that I protected him and loved him

the way I can you now, so come away with me.

Please.

Canaan's my home now.

And then I want to take care of those who suffer.

Come away with me.

You're the only man I've ever loved,

but now I owe my life to Jesus.

(somber music)

(Barabbas sniffling)

(water sloshing)

(knocking)

This is the house of Lazarus?

I don't know who you're talking about.

I met Jesus of Nazareth.

My name is Barabbas.

Wait a moment, Barabbas.

I knew you would come.

Thank you for seeing me.

To be honest, I hope you can help me understand.

What do you need to understand?

Jesus was condemned to death for raising me from the dead,

and in dying he wanted your life

to be saved instead of his.

Why were you and I chosen so that he could find death?

In the village where I was born there was a man, a doctor,

who kept herbs that were capable

of inducing sleep similar to death.

Perhaps there's nothing to understand, Lazarus.

That is why I decided not to meet

any of those who come here to see me,

to ask me questions, because I can't demonstrate anything.

And yet you believe.

I was dead and he brought me back to life.

If you really were dead, then I beg you, tell me,

what is this death from which you say Jesus saved you?

I don't know.

It was like waking up from a dreamless sleep.

When I opened my eyes I was alive.

It was as though I'd come back from nothing.

That's it?

Nothing?

I ask myself every day how can I be so sure?

So incredibly sure that it's all true?

That Jesus really came and freed me from

the grip of death.

And had you found your answer?

Nothing can convince someone who doesn't want to believe.

Because there's nothing to believe.

He will return, Barabbas.

I know he will.

He is dead, he does not exist.

And the fact that you're alive?

The fact that I'm alive?

That means nothing in your opinion?

I am nothing.

I lived a life of a thief, I should've died like a thief.

Why that changed, I have no idea,

but what I do know is that you,

like so many others who idolize him,

are either deceived or insane, I'm sorry.

[Lazarus Voiceover] Jesus was condemned to death

for raising me from the dead,

and in dying he wanted your life to be saved instead of his.

Why were you and I chosen so that he could find death?

(somber music)

You must tell everyone.

You must tell everyone the truth!

That God guided my hand.

That through me he led Jesus to his death

and he did it because you were the man with the sword.

You, Barabbas.

You are the messiah!

That's why you were there, why you were saved.

To show the world that you are the chosen one.

That he wants your sword, Barabbas.

You're the reason God had me hand Jesus over

to the priests of the temple.

(wind whistling)

[Peter Voiceover] My kingdom is not of this earth.

He is not dead, and he is not a man.

You don't understand why you're still alive?

Nothing will be as it was before, Barabbas.

[Judas Voiceover] Because you are the chosen one.

You will be the one to lead Israel to victory.

(dramatic music)

Barabbas!

The Romans are looking for you again

to put you back in prison.

Gather the men.

I want to talk to them now.

God wanted me to live instead of Jesus, well,

from this moment on my sword will be at his service

until all of our people meet their final victory.

The time of false prophesies has passed,

soon no one will remember the name of the Nazarene,

but they will remem I have heard

that Jesus' followers have remembered his sermons

and mean to spread his every word to the four winds.

God wanted Jesus to die which is why

They say he will rise again.

I'm alive, here, now,

and if God wanted me to live it's because he wants

me to continue the struggle.

Are you saying that you are the messiah?

I'm ready to do anything in my power

to be worthy of the task at hand.

Now, Rome must know that we are willing to strike

at the heart of its power at any moment.

What do you want to do?

Kill Pontius Pilate.

(muffled talking over each talking)

This is madness, Barabbas.

Well, those of you who don't want to,

you can pull out now.

[Man] Jesus, Jesus!

[Barabbas] What is it?

[Man] Jesus, his body, it's gone from the sepulcher.

[Barabbas] What do you mean it's gone?

[Man] His followers say he's risen from the dead!

(dramatic music)

Barabbas!

It's happened, look!

(muffled talking)

What's happened?

They say an angel descended from heaven

and he was wearing a cloak of fire

and that he thrust a spear between

the stone and a rock and opened the sepulcher.

Jesus has risen from the dead.

What have you done with him?

What do you mean?

You honestly think that I would believe this?

He has risen.

Jesus has risen from the dead just as he promised.

Why won't you believe it?

(light dramatic music)

[Pontius] What about the men guarding the sepulcher?

I've had them locked up in solitary confinement.

You can see them when you walk

First I wanna go there and see what happened myself.

Pontius!

I must go, I want to see.

Jesus has risen.

You can't stop me.

It's too dangerous, Claudia.

I will not let you risk your life to follow this madness.

See that my wife is sent back to her rooms!

Why is it dangerous?

What are you going to do?

I will find those who violated

the tomb and stole the body.

Nothing can oppose the will of God!

I will not allow anyone to threaten the power of Rome.

A body stolen from right under our noses.

How is that possible?

I have sent my best men to find

and arrest those guilty of this outrage.

(dramatic music)

They found him here this morning.

Did he say he believed that Jesus came back from the dead?

He was convinced that Jesus had returned

to seek vengeance against him.

Did he say anything to you?

He said that God told him to betray Jesus.

Gold told him?

That is what you get when you believe in Jesus.

(light dramatic music)

(muffled talking and laughing)

Upstairs.

He is not alone.

How many of 'em are there?

Three.

Are you sure it's the right man?

(chuckles) He keeps boasting about how he arrested

the soldiers guarding the sepulcher.

Try and keep your mouth shut.

(men laughing)

I told her my name but she forgot,

I can't believe she forgot my name.

Did you see those melons?

I did, I paid for three, they need names.

Betty, Rosana, and Emma. (men grunting)

What is all this noise? Tell us what you know

about the Nazarene's body.

Do you know where they've hidden it?

No. Well what do you know?

I know the soldiers guarding the sepulcher weren't drunk,

the wine is just the official story.

Where are they?

They've been isolated to stop them

from talking to anyone.

Maybe I wanna talk to them.

That's impossible.

And next time be more careful about

what you tell the whores.

[Guard] What do you want?

Take off your clothes.

(muffled talking)

[Soldier] If you kept your legs closed

there'd be more room around here.

(soldiers laughing)

(weapons clinking)

(suspenseful music)

Where do you have to go?

I forgot my sword.

You're lucky we're not at war.

You, what do you want?

I want to see a man in custody.

The ones who were guarding the sepulcher.

Pontius Pilate's orders.

I've never seen you before.

I'm from Jaffa.

I'm to command an escort charged

with putting them on a ship to Rome.

Since when is a centurion allowed to wear a beard?

I'm mourning the death of my father.

He was killed in an ambush by zealots.

I'm sorry.

Thank you.

Hey, I know you.

You're Barab (grunting)

Come here.

Get up!

You're not going to scream and I'm not gonna gut you.

Do we understand each other?

Who are you?

I wanna know what happened.

Are you one of them?

One of Jesus's followers?

Were you drunk that night?

No, none of us drunk.

So, what happened, did you fall asleep?

Were you attacked?

No. Then what!

We were blinded.

Blinded?

Suddenly there was a light, a powerful light,

and we couldn't see a thing.

When I woke up the sepulcher was empty.

And that's it?

That's it?

Maybe he really was the messiah the Jews talk about.

They are going to kill them.

Kill who?

All of them.

All who follow him.

Pilate's orders.

Kill the followers of the Nazarene.

Thank you.

Ester! (dramatic music)

Ester!

Ester!

Ester!

Ester!

Ester.

You're Barabbas, aren't you?

Ester told me so much about you.

Then you know her, can you take me to her?

There are so many of us here now.

Ester has gone to Jerusalem to bring comfort

to the beggars at the Gihon Springs.

What happened?

Why'd you ask?

Place.

Why, what is it?

They will persecute you.

I don't understand.

The Romans, they fear you.

Their scribes and the priests, they hate you,

and they will turn people against you,

now you must hide and you must stay hidden

till we succeed in stopping them!

You mustn't be afraid.

Jesus has risen from the dead and will soon come among us

to free us from death.

Her!

For days now she's been preaching nonsense, spreading lies.

Idolatry and blasphemy!

The worst of evils!

[Man] I know this woman.

She killed her newborn baby.

It's not true, I didn't kill my baby,

I didn't kill anyone.

(thudding) (Ester screaming)

Ester!

Stop, stop, no!

(thudding)

My lord, God.

You're here.

So this is what you wanted from me?

This is my testimony?

(thudding)

(somber music)

(somber music)

What curse, what madness, made you die for him?

(upbeat music) (lively chattering)

(women laughing)

(ominous music)

(muffled talking)

Is everyone ready?

We're ready.

Then what's wrong?

I don't see Valerio Flacco.

Why isn't he leading the escort?

Well good, it'll be easier then.

Are you sure?

As sure as the people of Jerusalem

who chose me over Jesus.

And I'm also sure that I'm not going

to shrink from my destiny.

I'm with you.

Well, good!

Then in the name of the people of Judea,

death to Romans!

To Romans, to Romans!

(men screaming)

(women shrieking)

It's over, Barabbas.

You have no idea how much I'd like to cut your throat,

but one of your gods must really love you.

Pontius Pilate wants you alive.

If the law made any sense,

you would be crucified this very day,

but your religious customs do not allow

a man who was pardoned during Passover to be executed.

And the current political climate in Rome

can not afford to offend the religious customs

of the Jewish population.

You will spend the rest of your life in prison.

You will be given bread and water every two days.

You will sleep on the bare stone floor

and you will never see the light of day.

You will know nothing other than solitude and silence.

You will regret not being executed.

(dramatic music) (chains jingling)

(guard snoring)

(armor clinking)

(coins clinking)

[Barabbas] What do you want?

I know Ester.

[Barabbas] Ester's dead.

When? How?

She died for him.

She wanted to bear witness to him.

The priests, they found her preaching, and they stoned her.

(Claudia cries)

This is the price she had to pay.

Yes, this is the price she had to pay.

Can you tell me why she had to die for him?

Because he overcame death.

His words bring peace.

I don't know such words.

I don't know these words.

Peace?

I don't know these words you speak of.

When I was with him, I was there when he died,

and he said nothing to me.

He didn't speak.

You know why he didn't speak?

Because he had nothing to say.

Where is she buried?

[Barabbas] With our son.

I will pray for you.

Don't (laughs).

Don't you dare say those words to me.

Get out.

Please, just.

(door creaking)

(crickets chirping)

Oh lord, welcome her into your kingdom.

Watch over us, dear Ester, and protect us always.

(suspenseful music)

Can't you leave us in peace?

(yelling over each other)

(Claudia grunting) (foot thudding)

Claudia!

My love.

Who did this to you?

We were praying at her grave.

Ester. Ester?

Barabbas's woman.

Barabbas did this?

Not Barabbas.

Promise me you won't, you won't hurt him.

I'll never forgive who did this to you.

Listen to Jesus's preach.

His words bring me peace.

No more hate.

I beg you.

(gasping)

Promise me.

I promise you.

(rigid breathing)

(somber music)

(Pontius sniffles)

(armor clinking)

(door creaking)

[Soldier] Barabbas.

What do you want?

Come out.

What do you want with me?

I was hoping to find you dead.

Couldn't die until I kill you.

Pilate's been ordered back to Rome.

How nice for him.

He's ordered you to the mines of Cypress.

Why?

You're taking too long to die.

So why don't you just kill me?

We want you to suffer.

Were it up to me, you would have been dead a long time.

I don't understand all this mercy shown to you.

I never understood it.

Neither have I.

Believe me.

Goodbye.

(somber music)

(dramatic music)

(wheel creaking) (man grunting)

(pulley squeaking)

(chains jingling)

(thudding)

(rocks rustling)

(men groaning)

Him!

Get him!

What?

What did I do?

You see this?

It bears the image of the emperor.

(whips snapping)

Whoever wears it is the emperor's property.

It means you all belong to the emperor.

But this bears the signs of

the followers of that fool, Jesus.

Didn't you know it belongs to the emperor?

(man groaning)

(body thudding)

This is what happens to those who betray

the emperor of Rome and swear obedience to the Jewish god.

(man groaning)

And this is what happens to those

who fail to inform me in time.

(fire crackling)

(sizzling)

(chain jingling)

What happened to your last partner?

[Barabbas] He died.

How?

[Barabbas] In the end they kill us all.

Leave me alone.

What's your name?

Barabbas.

My name is Sahak.

I'm from Pompeii, and you?

Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is the seat of Jesus.

What do you know about him?

Did you know him?

Did you hear him speak?

Who told you about him?

Lots of people talk about him.

That he has risen,

that he will return to deliver us from death.

No one comes back from the dead.

He was seen by many after his resurrection.

Jesus asked them to preach in his name.

He said that those who believe will be saved.

Give me your disc.

You wanna get us both killed?

I'm not afraid.

Jesus is with me.

They find this on you, they're gonna kill you and me.

We have to scratch this off.

I can't do that.

It's my faith.

What's this writing?

Greek.

Each letters signifies a word.

It says, "Jesus, son of God, our savior."

If you are afraid, I won't let you risk your life.

Tomorrow morning I will report to the head overseer.

I will be punished, but you will be safe.

It's what Jesus would want me to do.

(fire crackling)

It's what Jesus would want me to do.

(singing in foreign language)

[Ester Voiceover] It all seems so new.

[Barabbas Voiceover] What is your name?

Ester.

You're a slave to the violence within you.

Only fools die for gold.

I know what you can become.

You don't understand why you're still alive?

You do have a destiny.

Nothing will be as it was before, Barabbas.

You must allow yourself to see it.

I was dead and he brought me back to life.

Maybe he really was the messiah the Jews talk about.

You're the only man I've ever loved.

[Lazarus Voiceover] Nothing can convince someone

who doesn't want to believe.

(chains jingling)

I want to talk to the head overseer.

What do you want to tell the head overseer

you can't tell me?

I have something to report.

So talk.

Food.

Food?

What's wrong with the food?

We don't get enough of it.

Hear that?

He's dissatisfied with the food!

If you want us to work more you gotta feed us more.

Eat, eat?

You wanna eat?

Eat (whip snapping)

(muffled yelling) Please, please!

He doesn't need to eat, please!

Eat, eat, eat, eat!

Eat, give him it! (whip snapping)

(rocks rumbling)

(Barabbas groaning)

Scratch that sign in that.

Why?

Do you believe in Jesus?

Nope.

[Sahak] Then what?

To show them.

Risk your life for death?

Just do it.

(rock scratching)

It is a sign of peace.

Not for me.

(heavy breathing)

(dramatic music)

Come over here.

(muffled talking over each other)

[Man] Get up, get up!

What's up? I don't know!

Get up! What do you want?

Take him over here. Move!

[Barabbas] We're doing it!

I'm very disappointed.

You're all so stupid.

Scratching your Jesus signs right where I could find them.

You're stupid!

But there's just so many of you

that to kill all of you would create

a severe shortage in manpower.

Because I am responsible for a constant supply

of metal to the emperor that Rome so desperately needs,

I have decided to be generous

and grant you a chance to redeem yourselves.

All those who renounces Jesus and renew

their oath in the emperor will be spared.

Do you renounce this Jesus?

No.

Aren't you afraid to die?

It isn't fear that matters.

What matters is my faith in the lord Jesus.

I renounce Jesus.

You renounce this Jesus in the name of the emperor?

The emperor's always been my enemy,

but I do not believe that Jesus is the messiah.

So do you renounce your faith?

I renounce anyone who watches his brothers die

without putting up a fight.

Who refuses to take up the sword in defense

of what they only claim to believe in.

That is what I like to hear.

That is what makes a man worthy of belonging

to the emperor of Rome.

He will live!

Do you hear that?

He will live!

(dramatic music)

[Man] Hey, hey!

This is the first time I've ever heard

of a prisoner surviving the mines of Cypress.

What makes you so special?

Hey, I'm talking to you, come on!

Make an effort to deserve your good fortune.

(door creaking)

[Pontius] I am seriously beginning to believe

that you are protected by some god

who has very ambitious plans for you.

Pilate?

When they told me that a certain Barabbas

from Jerusalem had renounced the Nazarene for Rome

I wondered if it really could be you.

I never even dreamed of seeing you again, Barabbas.

Not alive, anyway.

Why did you bring me to Rome?

I wanted to satisfy my curiosity.

And if it turned out to be you take advantage

of your mysterious good fortune.

I need your help, Barabbas.

You need my help?

The reason I have a growing community here in Rome,

the words of that man, the Nazarene,

seem to enjoy great success amongst Romans, too.

Does that include your wife?

Claudia died in Jerusalem.

I'm sorry.

Remove those.

Leave.

I have a niece, Cecilia, she's at the age

when one is prone to believe in stupid ideals.

She has decided to follow Jesus.

What does this have to do with me?

I will give you a new name

and a shop in the Jewish quarter.

You should have no trouble finding them.

I want nothing to do with them.

That's not true.

You, too, are obsessed by them.

By the need to understand.

Don't you wanna know why you were saved?

Help me find Cecilia, please, before it's too late.

Bring her back to me and you will be rewarded.

Set free.

Free?

Completely free.

A medallion of a free man and a bag of gold.

Enough for you to start a new life.

You have my word.

The power of Rome is with you, Barabbas.

(talking over each other)

So here's what I'll do, I'll give you two of these.

Lot?

Lot?

Lot?

Lot!

[Barabbas] And Master Akab over in Damascus.

He produces the most the elegant fabrics.

This.

No woman would be caught without

his featherlight silks donning.

What are you drawing there?

A fish, can't you see?

That doesn't look like a fish.

Yes, it is.

I've never seen a fish like that.

I have.

Really, where?

At my home and also someplace my mother takes me.

Oh, I don't think you're telling the truth.

It's true!

Well, can you tell me where this place is?

Oh, now you see, it doesn't exist,

and that is not how you draw a fish.

It exists!

We always go there to pray.

Do you remember where this place is?

Because I would like to go there and pray.

Lot!

Where have you been?

I've been looking everywhere for you.

Come.

(dramatic music)

It's a good price.

No, thank you my friend. Only two!

(hammer clanking)

(knocking)

(pounding)

Hello. Hello.

Do I know you?

I saw you in the marketplace.

What can I do for you?

Actually, it's about the boy.

Did he do something wrong?

No, absolutely not.

So, what?

I saw him draw a symbol on the ground.

I don't know what you're talking about.

I'm from Jerusalem and I was wondering

if anyone here in Rome heard the talk of Jesus.

I've never heard of this Jesus.

Well, he says you go to a place to pray.

The boy?

He might have overheard something from a friend.

He says he goes there with you.

You don't have children, do you?

No.

That's what I thought.

You don't know them.

Actually, I'm looking for my brothers.

I have no idea what you're talking about.

Goodbye.

If you can just give me one

(door thudding)

[Man] It will be lovey once you paint them.

No. Yes!

[Woman] No.

(talking over each other)

Hello.

May I help you?

Sarah.

Barabbas?

How are you?

It's very good to see you.

I'm fine.

It's incredible.

The years have not passed for you.

Oh, yes they have.

Your memory isn't what it used to be.

Please, come, sit down.

This is my shop.

Oh, I can't, I'm sorry.

I must go.

Even for a moment?

Not very kind, but I can't.

I'll come again, I promise.

Sarah.

Have you been living in Rome long?

Yes, why do you ask?

Well, I'm alone here, and I would like

to meet others who remember his words.

I don't know any of his believers here in Rome.

Well, as you can see, I'm doing quite well now.

Perhaps I could donate money, or be some assistance.

I would like to help.

Mark is one of the community's busiest disciples.

Peter treats him like a son.

We've all pinned our hopes on him for the future.

Mark, we have a new brother with us this evening.

With Peter's help, Mark is writing the story of Jesus.

His works, his words.

We can never dedicate too much time

to studying his words, putting his teachings into action.

(light suspenseful music)

Come on.

Peter?

Ah, Mark!

(muffled kids laughing and talking)

(chuckles) My brother. Peter.

We have a new brother who would like

to join our community.

In the name of Jesus, I welcome you.

Thank you.

I hope you'll want to be a guest in our house.

Let's go.

Do you know him?

Jesus sends him.

(fire crackling)

Are there any Romans here?

Yes, especially the young.

More and more they're asking to join our community.

Why do you ask?

Just curious.

Peter lives here?

Close to the needy.

(water splashes)

Night fell and our boat was in the middle of the lake.

Jesus was ashore, alone.

(knocking)

Barabbas, come in!

Come in, please.

Sit with us.

I don't wanna disturb your work.

What are you working on?

The writing of Jesus.

So many people talk about him and tell so many stories

about him that aren't true.

The important thing is that everybody knows the truth.

The real truth.

Oh, I'm just happy to be here and listen.

But you were in Jerusalem.

You have seen him, heard things about him.

Well, I wasn't his friend, nor his foe.

Tell me, Barabbas, why did you come to Rome?

What do you seek here?

All my life I've had to fight and now I see peace.

It's time you rested.

I found some delicious fruit.

My name is Samira, I must apologize.

I wasn't polite the other day.

You don't have to apologize.

It's so difficult to distinguish friends

from those who wish us harm.

(muffled talking)

[Barabbas] What do you want?

We have orders to take you with us.

Who's orderS?

[Man] Pilate wants to see you.

[Barabbas] Not now.

Now.

I'll give him a report tomorrow.

[Man] Do you think Pilate wants to wait?

You better come without a fuss.

Believe me.

You better not force me, believe me.

(dramatic music)

(thudding)

(men grunting)

Did you really think you could fool me?

You made contact with the followers

of the Nazarene, I know this.

I did what you asked me to do.

But you agreed to keep me informed.

You should have come here and reported to me immediately.

I found out nothing about your niece.

There is nothing to report.

We are in Rome now, Barabbas.

Your life is in my hands, now.

Don't forget that.

And there's nothing, absolutely nothing to stop

me from ending it.

So do it.

What are you waiting for?

I loved my wife, Barabbas.

The only family I have left is my niece Cecilia.

She's the daughter I never had.

I must know she is safe.

I will keep my word, you will be free.

And when I find out something, I will tell you.

Tell me where they are, where they live!

Beyond the walls of Rome along the Appian Way.

There are caves and that is where Peter meets his people.

Peter?

The disciple?

Yes.

That's why so many Romans attend his meetings,

especially the young, like your niece.

Tell me where Peter lives.

Answer me!

(light dramatic music)

You don't have a niece.

I asked you where Peter lives.

You don't have a niece.

And I don't know.

You're lying!

Tell your men to find her, you son of a bi

Get out.

(men grunting)

(Barabbas gasping)

[Barabbas] What are you gonna do, arrest them all?

Arresting them just seems to make them multiply.

Something far more radical is needed.

The emperor has decided to burn down

the entire quarter and blame it on them.

The population will hate them

and they will be forced out.

The emperor can be quite brilliant in those sort of things.

You're gonna kill them.

You're gonna kill them all.

We may have to kill some and make sure

we give an example the world will remember

for a very long time.

You (shrieks).

(groaning)

I promised my wife I wouldn't kill you.

Get out.

Leave Rome now, Barabbas.

Before the Christians find out what you've done.

[Barabbas] You bastard!

(dramatic music) (muffled talking)

(woman screaming)

[Man] Mother, we gotta get out of here!

Mother!

(knocking)

Barabbas.

Lot, where's your mother?

Samira!

What's wrong?

Take your son, leave Rome, now.

Why? What?

You are in danger.

All of the followers of the Nazarene are in danger.

I don't understand.

They're going to persecute you for the fire.

What fire?

You must believe me.

Please, save your son.

So, you?

What have you done?

[Sarah] Barabbas, what is it?

The Romans, they're coming and they

will blame you for the fire.

We were expecting that.

We've already taken steps.

We convinced Peter to leave with a group of women

and children and we've already sent out

a warning to the others to meet us at the caves.

Caves, no, you must stop them!

Don't worry, we'll be safe there.

No, you won't be safe there.

You won't be safe here, you won't be safe anywhere.

Now, please come with me, now!

You.

You told them where we hide.

Mark! It was the greatest

mistake of my life. You're killing all of us.

Samira. You're gonna kill my son!

Samira, Samira. You killed my son!

Stop, stop! You.

Stop! I knew it the first

time I saw you.

[Mark] Stop, it's God's will.

God doesn't wanna kill my son.

That's the one that's dead.

Hurry, we've no time to lose.

I didn't know what they were gonna do.

[Mark] Go, go!

I didn't know what they were gonna do!

[Mark] We must warn the others!

[Barabbas] I'm sorry, I didn't know

what they were gonna do!

(Barabbas cries)

(dramatic music)

(ethereal music)

Lord.

Where are you going?

To Rome.

To die once again on the cross.

(horse neighing)

Barabbas, look!

Look at what you've done.

You're killing all of us, you're killing my son!

How can you live with it?

Peter, I don't understand, Barabbas.

What are you doing here?

Jesus came to me, he wants me to be

a witness to his life, to his resurrection.

Let me go in your place.

(stutters) I can't bear the wait.

Please, let me go in your place.

Take the life that he gave me

when he died on the cross.

That's not what he wants from me.

Well what does he want from me?

Please, tell me if I.

If you're so sure you know his will, tell me.

I.

I do not know.

Well, if you, well who does if you don't?

Stop asking yourself that, Barabbas.

Open your heart to faith.

There is only shadows in my heart, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

Open your heart and don't be afraid

so you'll find the light.

Light?

Fine, die, go die for him!

Take every trace of Jesus and his words with you.

Move, out of my way, out of my way!

Now what do you want from me, Barabbas?

I was saved that day by the sacrifice of Christ.

I want to repay that sacrifice.

My life for another.

Get out before I regret not having you killed.

Listen to me, Pilate.

You can't negotiate with Rome.

I'm not negotiating with Rome, I'm talking to you.

And you think that makes a difference.

Yes, I do.

'Cause despite all of your wealth and all of your power,

your heart is still that of a man no lesser than mine.

But here in this room I can kill you,

you don't have that freedom.

You gave me freedom and you gave the people

of Jerusalem a choice.

Don't you remember?

That was a long time ago.

Rome will never defeat the Christians by killing them.

I know this.

You know it, too.

I only ask you to finish what you had started.

I ask you in the name of your wife, Claudia.

Don't you dare say her name!

I ask you in the name of everything she believed in.

Claudia wanted to be a mother.

It was her failure to have a child

that threw her into such depths of pain and madness.

"His words bring peace."

That is what she said to me when she visited me in prison.

In the name of the woman you loved, Pilate,

let me help others find peace in those words.

Let me help them find a cure for their unhappiness.

And who do you want me to free in your place, Barabbas?

(water splashing) (people groaning)

Which one is Peter?

(light dramatic music)

This is Peter, this is Peter.

Do what I tell you, it's God's will.

You are young, tell the world.

This is Peter!

Come on! No, no!

You can't do this!

[Peter] That's him!

(gate clanking)

Why?

It's God's will.

Your destiny.

(emotional music)

Go in peace, Barabbas.

(carriage rumbling)

(wind whistling)

My destiny's fulfilled.

Oh lord.

Receive my soul.

(haunting music)

(somber music)