Peter: The Redemption
By Renee Longstreet,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Violent biblical story defeated by weak production.
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Peter: The Redemption
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A real eye opener to how Christian persecution was in Biblical times.
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What's the Story?
In PETER: THE REDEMPTION, set years after Jesus Christ's death, the dominance of the Roman Emperor Nero (Stephen Baldwin) is threatened by the Christians. Peter the Apostle (John Rhys-Davies) is the leader of the converts, so Nero imprisons and tortures him, expecting the man will both confess to setting recent fires in Rome and denounce his faith. But Peter remains steadfast. Sent to administer to the old man's wounds, Susanna (Brittany Bristow), servant to Nero's wife and a secret Christian herself, becomes Peter's ally. Their only hope is Martinian (Steve Byers), commander of the guard, who appears to be a thoughtful and moral man despite his allegiance to Nero. As the time for a long-anticipated festival draws closer, the stakes get higher for the evil Nero. Either the Christians must deny Jesus's word, or they must be executed as examples to the citizens of Rome. In the chaotic climate of death and destruction that Nero's actions set in motion, it becomes ever clearer that he is no match for Peter's faith and the growing legions of believers who follow him.
Is It Any Good?
Solid Christian messages and values cannot save this inept, amateurish effort to tell the story of the late years and martyrdom of the Apostle Peter. Despite a fine performance by John Rhys-Davies and an accomplished one by Brittany Bristow as Susanna, the production's directing, writing, sets, costumes, and performances combine to detract from the intended messages. (Stephen Baldwin's "Nero" is so outrageous that it's unintentionally comic from the outset.) The bloody violence and the exaggerated and histrionic sounds of off-camera wailing and terror mean that even kids who enjoy faith-based movies and biblical stories might find it disturbing. Not recommended.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the fact that biblical stories are often bloody and violent. In Peter: The Redemption, while the filmmakers have opted not to try to portray Christians being tortured and burned, they used sounds instead of visuals. Do you think this technique made the violence less disturbing or more disturbing than actually showing the events? Why?
Many movies use one person's journey to show a significant cultural or intellectual change. How does Martinian's personal transition from soldier who follows orders blindly to righteous Christian help the filmmakers deliver their messages to the audience?
The story here develops and expands upon ancient texts. The romance between Susanna and Martinian is the writer's creation. How does that story contribute to an audience's interest in and enjoyment of the material? Do you think it was a successful plot element?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: August 2, 2016
- Cast: John Rhys-Davies, Brittany Bristow, Stephen Baldwin
- Director: Leif Bristow
- Studio: Cinedigm
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Book Characters, History
- Run time: 89 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: November 3, 2022
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