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Two Thieves (2014) Film Review by Noah Capper

Plot Overview

The film Two Thieves, released in 2014, looks in depth at the story of the two men who were crucified on crosses next to Jesus. The movie opens in a prison, where a single piece of bread is served as rations for the prisoners. This is where we learn about the individual backgrounds and stories unique to each inmate, Demas, Barrabus, and Benyamin. Demas has been a lifelong criminal who is known to break rules and laws. On the other hand, Benjamin is a devout Jew who wants to believe that he can find peace and tranquility even amongst the turmoil of the times. It soon becomes clear that the persecution of the Jews by the Romans is has led them to their current predicaments. The topic of a coming Messiah is also discussed; however, they do not see any way that this Messiah can help them.

We are then introduced, through a flashback, to the lives of each prisoner prior to their arrests. Demas, feels strongly that he, along with the Jews, are being oppressed and that the only way for them to become free is through rebellion and fighting against the Roman people. This barbaric attitude ultimately leads him to fight and steal his way into prison. Once there, he is visited by Benjamin who talks with and tells him about his plans for marriage and life. The film then goes back to an earlier scene where they are both inmates in the prison, and a guard enters and is questioned about where Barabbas is. The guard goes on to a explain that the people chose Barabbas over the carpenter to be freed. The crime of the carpenter was blasphemy, and the inmates could not understand how the crimes of this man could be greater than that of Barabbas who was also a lifelong criminal. On the other hand, Benyamin, as the film portrays, is the peacekeeper who is always in search of the peaceful nonviolent path to resolution. He is also very much in touch with the ways of the Jewish people and studying the roots of his faith.

It is then when the guard tells Benyamin and Demas that they must go with Jesus to be sentenced and punished for the crimes in which they have committed. The film portrays in detail the gruesome journey from the prison to Calgary where the men are beaten and battered, while being forced to carry their crosses that they will soon be crucified on. The men are whipped and not given any breaks while onlooking crowds of villager’s chant and plead for the man to save themselves. Once they have arrived at the top of Calgary the crosses are driven into the ground and then are put onto the cross and are driven by their hands and feet with nails. All the while onlooking crowds continue chanting and yelling for the Messiah to save himself and these men from the grueling death that awaits them. After this scene, we see another flashback that shows Benyamin very upset and agitated after learning that Roman guards have molested and violated his fiancé which infuriates him to the point of rage. Benyamin and Demas then break into the home of a soldier and destroy his property. When the soldier returns, he is attacked and beaten by the pair of men. This scene shows the turning point where Benyamin lost his peaceful temperament and became obsessed with revenge and payback over what happened to his fiancé.

The movie then comes back to the present moment on Calgary, where we see Roman soldiers casting dice for The Messiah’s (Jesus) garments. Looking down on these guards, are the three men, each nailed to their own cross. Benyamin and Demas plead with The Messiah to do or say something, that will free them from their situation. Benyamin, whose focus is solely on revenge tells Jesus that he is a fraud, a liar, and cheap magician. It is at this moment where Jesus says, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”. Benyamin questions who Jesus is talking to and wants The Messiah to take his revenge already. To this comment, Jesus replies “Father forgive them, they know not what they do”. While this is happening, Demas realizes that Jesus is innocent and has done nothing wrong. Demas also asks Jesus to remember him when Jesus enters His kingdom. The Messiah sees that Demas is showing remorse for his sins and the life that he has led and looks at him and says, “Today, you will be with me in paradise”. As the movie ends, it begins to rain heavily, washing away the blood from the crucified men.

The Seven Dimensions of Religion by Ninian Smart,

The Seven Dimensions of Religion, by Ninian Smart encompass the different aspects that religious films often incorporate into their stories. The film Two Thieves is no exception, where all seven dimensions are present in some form during the film.

Ritual

The first dimension, Ritual, looks at the forms and orders of ceremonies both private and public. Two Thieves utilizes rituals such as praying, asking God for forgiveness, and studying the Torah which take place at different points during the movie. The Torah holds great significance and foundation in the Jewish faith, so any scenes that depict the studying and reverence of it, are crucial to the faith and are therefore sacred rituals.

Narrative and Mythic

The second dimension, Narrative and Mythic, pertains to biblical stories that work on several levels, these narratives often fit together into complete and systematic interpretations. Two Thieves is centered around the story of the Crucifixion of Jesus, but from a different angle that focuses on the perspectives of the two men who were crucified next to Jesus.

Experiential and Emotional

Experiential and emotional, the third dimension, deals with emotions and feelings such as dread, guilt, suffering, and mystery. In the film, Demas expresses remorse and guilt for his actions towards the Messiah and others earlier in the film. Benyamin’s feelings, on the other hand, are resentful and hateful towards Jesus for his inability to save them from their gruesome situation.

Social and Institutional

Social and Institutional, Smart’s fourth dimension, discusses the shared belief system and attitudes practiced by a group. The Romans had rules and laws for the selling of goats, and if one was to not pay on time there were taxes assessed to the owner. This situation occurs in the film when Demas comments on a fellow Jew that is not able to comply by the law, and this upsets him greatly. Another law practiced during the time the film takes place in, is the customary pardoning of a prisoner on the eve of Passover. In this instance, Barrabas is released from prison and taking his place is Jesus of Nazareth.

Ethical and Legal

The fifth dimension defined by Smart is Ethical and Legal, this has to do with rules about human behavior. In Two Thieves, Benyamin reaches a breaking point where he becomes irate and filled with rage over the mistreatment of the woman he plans to marry by a Roman soldier. This causes him to break laws and do things that he ordinarily would never have considered doing because of his concrete religious beliefs and strong Jewish faith.

Doctrinal and Philosophical

Doctrinal and Philosophical, Smart’s sixth dimension, emphasizes a systematic formulation of religious teachings. In the film, Demas, when faced with a grueling situation and the prospect of death on the cross, was able to show compassion and understanding of who Jesus was. While Benyamin, the guards, and the crowd cast doubt upon Jesus and his abilities, Demas rejected popular opinion and saw the truth.

Material

The final, dimension of Religion defined by Ninian Smart is Material, which can be defined by the ordinary objects or locations that symbolize the sacred or supernatural. There are multiple objects and places in Two Thieves that have connections to sacred beliefs, one of which can be seen in the film’s opening scene where a loaf bread is broken between the prisoners, which symbolizes the body of Christ in the Bible. The chains worn by the prisoners symbolize the struggle of the Jewish people and their persecution by the Roman empire. During one dramatic scene from the movie, Demas paints a Menorah on a stone wall and then proceeds to throw an object at the painting, symbolizing a defiance to his own Jewish beliefs. Lastly, the Cross serves as the ultimate symbol of sacrifice and suffering of both Jesus and the Two Thieves.

Film Overview

The film Two Thieves, was met with positive reviews and ratings when it was released, including six wins from eighteen film category nominations. The director, Dallas Jenkins, received many accolades for his work on the film, as well as Stelio Savante (Demas) who was nominated for best actor in many categories. The movie did not have a large budget; however, it was quite effective in telling the story, through acting and cinematography, that portrayed the two thieves and their lives leading up to and during the crucifixion. Dallas Jenkins has also directed and produced various short films and movies for the Hallmark Channel as well as currently working on the first and only multi-season series about the life of Christ, called The Chosen. Coincidentally, the actor who plays Jesus in The Chosen (Johnathan Roumie) is the same actor who played Jesus in Two Thieves.

Personal Takeaways

Overall, I really enjoyed this film, specifically because of its unique perspective on the crucifixion and the two other men that died at Calgary that day alongside Jesus. The original title of this film was Once We Were Slaves, which has a major significance in the film. When the men are in prison, Benyamin says, “Once we were slaves, but we are slaves no more”. This is a reminder that this is the night of Passover, and they will be saved. The cinematography was also outstanding in Two Thieves, especially considering the film’s budget, and the way that it depicted the time through muted colors such as browns and greys. Candlelight was also used to a great extent in the movie to depict the time, and make the setting feel very authentic and real. Lastly, the musical score included drums beating while slow motion scenes depicted Jesus and the Two Thieves being taken to the Crucifixion site at Calgary. By utilizing all these film elements, Two Thieves was able to give an authentic and unique experience to viewers of the crucifixion from a perspective that is rarely depicted in film.

Sources

IMDb. “Dallas Jenkins.” IMDb, IMDb.com, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0420817/.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3755762/mediaviewer/rm3949971712/

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0420817/

https://www.jonathanroumie.com/