Yury Piotrovskiy, Konstantin Tsyganov
Script of a full-length motion picture.
TOLEDOT YESHU - THE LIFE OF JESUS (JEWISH VERSION, 2022)
Historical musical drama.
Logline.
A Jewish young man Yeshu, believing in his divine origin, declares himself to be the son of God, the Messiah, the Christ, the Lord. Yeshu's aim is to liberate Judea from Roman domination, to renew the faith, to save and cleanse man and society from sin. However, the growing influence of the new doctrine is of great concern to the religious elders of Judea, who see Yeshu as an impostor, a rebel and a blasphemer encroaching on the basic tenets of the Jewish religion. This is the first motion picture presenting a Judeo-atheistic version of Jesus' life that does not accept five Christian tenets: deification of Jesus, Jesus' messianism, the Immaculate Conception, the Resurrection, and the Ascension.
Yury Piotrovskiy j_pio@mail.ru
1. HISTORIC RE-ENACTMENT
The anthem of the USSR is performed in the jazz adaptation by Igor Ugolnikov 1991 (Google it) with the corrected text adapted to the Roman Empire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6DQWm2Vd4c
ANTHEM OFF SCREEN
The expansion of the Roman Empire from the fourth to the first century BC and the incorporation of Palestine into the Roman Empire is shown.
Search on YouTube: the history of the Roman Empire (map).
ANTHEM OFF SCREEN
Unbreakable Union of freeborn provinces.
Our Divine Rome has welded forever to stand.
Created in struggle by will of the people.
United and mighty, the dominus nation!
Peasants are working in the fields, builders are working on a construction site, and craftsmen are working in a workshop.
CLOSE-UP: happy faces of peasants, artisans, builders.
Soviet and other propaganda chronicles can be used.
ANTHEM OFF SCREEN
Through tempests the sunrays of freedom have cheered us,
Along the new path where great Caesar did lead.
To a righteous cause he raised up the peoples
Inspired them to labor and valorous deed.
The majestic sculpture of Emperor Octavian is shown from all sides.
ANTHEM OFF SCREEN
Sing to the Motherland, home of the free,
Bulwark of peoples in brotherhood strong!
O Party of Caesar, the strength of the people
To prosperity and glory lead us on.
The great construction projects of the empire are shown in fast motion: the construction of the Capitol, the temples to Jupiter and Apollo, and the creation of the main roads.
ANTHEM OFF SCREEN
We raised our army in battles,
Invaders we will sweep the vile ones from the road!
We in battles decide the fate of generations,
We will lead our Fatherland to glory!
Battle is shown. A line of Roman soldiers swoops down on the barbarian crowd and sweeps them away.
ANTHEM OFF SCREEN
Sing to the Motherland, home of the free,
Bulwark of peoples in brotherhood strong!
O Party of Caesar, the strength of the people.
To prosperity and glory lead us on.
Peasants are working in the fields, builders are working on a construction site, and craftsmen are working in a workshop.
CLOSE-UP: happy faces of peasants, artisans, builders.
ANTHEM OFF SCREEN
In the victory of Caesarism's deathless ideal
We see the future of our dear land,
And to her fluttering glorious banner
Selflessly true we always shall stand!
In the frame, a map showing the borders of the Empire at the time of its greatest power. At the borders, badges mark the fortifications and military camps of the Legionnaires. A character of Themis appears in the middle of the map and grows in size.
ANTHEM OFF SCREEN
Sing to the Motherland, home of the free,
Bulwark of peoples in brotherhood strong!
O Party of Caesar, the strength of the people.
To prosperity and glory lead us on.
Triumphal Arch. The Emperor Octavian, on a white horse and in shining armor, rides in front of the marching legionnaires and salutes the cheering people.
CLOSE-UP: happy faces of citizens.
Subtitle: ===== 3756 anno mundi = = = = = 4 B.C. =====
SPEAKER OFF SCREEN
In the year three thousand seven hundred and fifty-six anno mundi,
four years before the birth of Jesus, King Herod the Great of Judea died suddenly.
CLOSE-UP: ancient images of Herod the Great.
SPEAKER OFF SCREEN
Herod's sons, Antipas and Archelaus came to Rome to establish their claim to the royal throne.
2. INT. OCTAVIAN'S RESIDENCE - DAYTIME
(OCTAVIAN, ANTIPAS -16 years old, ARCHELAUS -19 years old, OCTAVIAN'S SECRETARY, SERVANTS, GUARDS)
Antipas and Archelaus are in the corridor following Octavian's Secretary. Each of them is followed by an entourage.
Antipas and Archelaus, still following Octavian's Secretary, enter the throne room.
Octavian is sitting on the throne on a dais, looking curiously at Antipas and Archelaus. There are guards on both sides of the throne. The Councilor and the Secretary are standing by the throne.
Antipas and Archelaus, as well as their entourages, bow respectfully before the throne.
OCTAVIAN.
I know that your father - Herod - died suddenly. My condolences.
I knew Herod personally. He was a noble man, a wise statesman. I hope you will continue your father's legacy with dignity. I know that you have studied under the best philosophers in Rome, have learned our Western values well and will promote them for the benefit of the Jewish people and the entire empire.
ANTIPAS.
Quite, quite right, the Divine Emperor. We have studied Plato, Aristotle, Cicero and we will do our best to introduce the humanistic, progressive ideas of these Roman philosophers.
OCTAVIAN.
Full well. I believe you.
But I also know that you have rebels who are rebellious and don't want to pay taxes. Be careful and wise. Bear in mind:
A good shepherd shears his sheep but does not skin them.
So this is what we do. (raises his voice) By the power vested in me, I appoint Herod Archelaus ruler of Judaea, Samaria and Idumea. I appoint Herod Antipas ruler of Galilee and Perea. Embrace one another, brothers.
Antipas and Archelaus are hugging. Octavian descends from his throne and embraces them both.
Subtitle: ===== 3757 anno mundi = = = = = 3 B.C. =====
CAPTIONS. OFF-CAMERA ANNOUNCER
“At the onset of Pentecost, huge crowds of people gathered in Jerusalem to express their indignation against the iniquities of Sabinus, the imperial commissioner.”
Josephus Flavius. Antiquities of the Jews.
3. INT.-EXT. JERUSALEM. NEAR THE TEMPLE - DAYTIME
(SABINUS, CENTURION, LEGIONNAIRES, REBELS)
Sabinus, surrounded by legionnaires, is standing on one of the upper tiers of the tower. Below you can see crowds of rebels in the gallery and in the temple courtyard.
REBELS
(shouting) Romans! Go home! Freedom for Israel!
SABINUS
Dear citizens, we are ready to consider all your requirements.
I kindly ask you to keep order and calm.
Below you can see crowds of rebels in the gallery and in the temple courtyard. The rebels are getting more and more numerous.
REBELS
(shouting) Romans! Go home! Jerusalem is ours! Freedom for Palestine!
The rebels are getting more and more numerous. They run closer and throw stones at the legionnaires. Legionnaires cover Sabinus with shields.
SABINUS
I repeat. Dear Hebrews, I ask you to be prudent and law-abiding. We are willing to consider and satisfy all your requirements. Otherwise, I will have to use force to restore order.
CENTURION
(to legionnaires, loudly) Attack formation!
The centurion steps on the top tier of the tower. The Legionnaires follow him.
4. EXT. NEAR THE TEMPLE - DAYTIME
(CENTURION, SABINUS, LEGIONNAIRES, REBELS)
In the temple courtyard near the tower, the rebels throw stones at the Legionnaires and Sabinus standing on the upper tiers.
REBELS
(shouting) Romans! Go home! Jerusalem is ours! Freedom for Palestine!
A squad of Legionnaires, led by Centurion, emerges from the tower. Stones and sometimes arrows fly into the legionnaires.
CENTURION
(to the legionnaires, loudly) Raise the shields!
Legionnaires raise their shields.
Legionnaire formation is slowly but steadily moving towards the rebels. The legionnaires are knocking on the shields with their swords.
Legionnaires converge closely with a crowd of rebels and push them back with shields. Sometimes Legionnaires from the front row grab one or the other of the rebels and drag them inside the formation. Legionnaires from the back rows beat these rebels so badly that they cannot get up.
In the front ranks, the legionaries fight the rebels, beat them with shields and swords.
Rebels' ranks are crushed. Some resist the legionnaires, some try to flee.
The Centurion turns towards the tower, raises his head and beckons with his hand.
Several legionnaires from the tower run out onto the gallery and pounce on the rebels who have settled there.
In the temple courtyard, the Legionnaires are forcing the rebels back.
CENTURION
(to the legionnaires, loudly) Go!
Legionnaires from the front ranks rush to the rebels. The rebels are scattering. Legionnaires are after them. Some are struck with swords, others are caught up and seized. A fire breaks out in which the rebels die alive.
LEGIONARIES
(loudly) On the ground! On the ground! Get down! Stay put!
The captured rebels lie down on the ground.
CAPTIONS
“As a result of the uprising, 2,000 people were executed and crucified.” Josephus Flavius. Antiquities of the Jews.
5. EXT. THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF JERUSALEM – DAYTIME, CRUCIFIED REBELS.
Numerous crucified rebels along the roads are shown.
SUBTITLE: ===== 3760 anno mundi = = = = = 0 A.D. =====
6. EXT. NEAR THE HOUSE OF YOSEF - DAYTIME (YOHANAN, MIRYAM, YOSEF)
SPEAKER OFF SCREEN
In the year three thousand seven hundred and sixty anno mundi. Year Zero of the Nativity of Christ. The city of Nazareth, Galilee.
Miryam is walking down the street, she has two water bags hanging over her shoulder on a rope.
Miryam's neighbor Yohanan is walking towards her. Having passed by Miryam, Yohanan, struck by her beauty, stops and follows her with his eyes.
CAMERA TRANSITION
Yohanan is squatting behind the fence, peering through a gap into the courtyard.
YOHANAN
(impatiently, to himself). Well, where are you?
Miryam enters the yard from the street. She's got two water bags hanging over her shoulder on a rope. Miryam is walking, swaying her hips gently. Yohanan is looking at Miryam. Miryam pours water into a large tank near the house, then slowly enters the house.
Yohanan is still squatting.
Miriam leaves the house and heads for the vineyard. A gust of wind picks up the flaps of her clothes. For a moment, Miryam's legs are almost completely exposed. Yohanan is watching this.
Close-up: Miryam's well-rounded butt.
Yohanan sneaks a peek at Miryam picking grapes.
7. EXT. NEAR THE HOUSE OF YOSEF - NIGHT-TIME
(YOHANAN, MIRYAM, YOSEF)
Twilight. Yohanan is squatting behind the fence, peering through a gap into the courtyard.
Twilight thickens. You can hear the shrill of the cicadas.
Yohanan sees Maryam's husband Yosef coming out of the house.
Yohanan looks at the back of the departing Yosef, then looks at the door of the house. Pitch darkness ensues. Yohanan climbs over the fence and heads for the house.
8. INT. SYNAGOGUE. RABBI OF NAZARETH, YOSEF AND 4 JEWS - NIGHT-TIME
RABBI OF NAZARETH.
Our prophets teach that the time will come when swords will be beaten into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks and there will be no more war.
The oppressor will come to an end, the robbery will stop.
Trespasses, sins, and iniquities shall cease. Everlasting righteousness will come
The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD.
TITLES
They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Isaiah 2.4
The oppressor will come to an end, the robbery will stop. Isaiah 16.4
To make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity. And to bring in everlasting righteousness Daniel 9.24
The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD. Isaiah 11.9
JEW No. 1, raising his hand.
Dear Rabbi, may I ask you a question?
RABBI OF NAZARETH.
Yes, of course.
JEW No. 1
Dear Rabbi, forgive me, but there is injustice, iniquity, and woe all around, and you are telling us about a happy future and a future paradise on earth. Doesn't it look like fairy tales for children and fiction?
RABBI OF NAZARETH.
Yes. You’re right. Injustice abounds in our sinful earth. However, it won't last forever. The time will come and the world will change. It is all written by the prophets in the Torah and if you don't believe it, then you are not Jews, but Gentiles and unwise Goyim.
JEW No. 2
Okay, let's say this happens, but how and when will it all happen?
RABBI OF NAZARETH.
No one knows or can know when these prophecies will come true. And eternal peace on earth will be established by an extraordinary person - the Messiah, who will appear as the Savior on our sinful earth.
JEW No. 3
But in order to eliminate all the wicked, Evil in the whole land, Messiah would need a huge army, bigger than the army of Alexander the Great.
RABBI OF NAZARETH.
No. By no means! All Evil on earth will be eliminated by the Messiah without any violence, only by his Reason, only by peaceful, convincing Preaching, for the prophets said:
A bruised reed shall he not break.
With the rod of his mouth shall he slay the wicked.
TITLES
"A bruised reed shall he not break." Isaiah 42.3
"With the rod of his mouth shall he slay the wicked." Isaiah 11.4
9. INT. YOSEF'S HOUSE - NIGHT-TIME (YOHANAN, MIRYAM)
Yohanan walks into the house, sneaking around, walks through one room, walks into another one and stops.
The room is dark and the outline of the naked Miryam, slightly covered with the bedspread, is faintly visible.
Yohanan stops a few steps away and looks at the woman. Miryam turns in her sleep without opening her eyes. Yohanan slowly lies down in bed, strokes, caresses Miryam and takes advantage of her. Miryam mistakes Yohanan for her husband. Everything happens in the darkness, only sexual sighs and sounds are heard.
Yohanan, having finished having sex, picks up his tunic and leaves in complete darkness. Miryam falls asleep instantly.
10. INT. YOSEF'S HOUSE - MORNING (YOHANAN, MIRYAM)
MIRYAM
You were so passionate last night.
YOSEF
(surprised) Wait, what are you talking about now?
MIRYAM
About what we had last night.
YOSEF
(surprised) And what was that? I was at the synagogue. I must have been a dream.
MIRYAM
Ah, I guess so. (dreamily) But still, I felt so good.
Yosef takes a closer look and his face changes.
CLOSE-UP: Yosef's face. Yosef is astonished.
11. INT. SYNAGOGUE - DAYTIME (RABBI OF NAZARETH, YOSEF)
Yosef enters the synagogue and heads towards the Rabbi, speaking excitedly.
YOSEF
Dear Rabbi, a great grief has befallen my home. Tonight, while I was in the synagogue, villain Yohanan took advantage of my beloved wife. It was all pitch black at night and my wife genuinely thinks it wasn't the neighbor but me. I can't live with that thought, and I want to leave my house forever, for Babylonia. Advise me, what should I do?
RABBI of NAZARETH. After a pause.
I understand. But keep your head. Calm down. It’s up to you.
12. EXT. NEAR THE HOUSE OF YOSEF - EVENING
(NEIGHBOR WOMEN)
Two neighbors (30-40) are standing near an entrance to the yard.
MIRYAM OFF-CAMERA
(screams) Aaah!!! Aaah!!!
FIRST NEIGHBOR
She's giving birth.
SECOND NEIGHBOR
Not with her husband, I guess.
FIRST NEIGHBOR
Who do you think it's with?
SECOND NEIGHBOR
It's her neighbor, Yohanan. You should have seen the way he looked at her. Like a hungry dog at a piece of meat.
Both neighbors are laughing.
FIRST NEIGHBOR
That's why Yosef suddenly left the house and disappeared. (laughs)
MIRYAM OFF-CAMERA
(screams) Aaah!!! Aaah!!!
BABY CRYING OFF CAMERA
SECOND NEIGHBOR
And, so. One more bastard.
SUBTITLE: ===== 3766 anno mundi = = = = = 6 A.D. ======
SUBTITLE, OFF-CAMERA ANNOUNCER.
Luke 2.1
"In those days Caesar Augustus issued(Octavian 63 B.C.) – 14 A.D.) a decree that a census (6 B.C.) should be taken of the entire Roman world.
Acts 5:37
"Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census (6 B.C.) and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered."
Acts 21:38
"Judas the Galilean stirred up a rebellion and led 4,000 men of the Assassins out into the wilderness"
13. EXT. CITY STREET - DAYTIME
(JUDAS THE GALILEAN, REBELS, LEGIONARIES)
A crowd has gathered in the city street. Judas the Galilean stands in the middle of the crowd.
JUDAS THE GALILEAN
Understand, this census is a direct path to slavery! You are being enumerated in order to be taxed and robbed.
Shall you again bear with patience, and be silent, as a brainless flock of sheep? Freedom must be fought for!
VOICES FROM THE CROWD
Right! There's no backing down! Otherwise we will be slaves to the Romans!
JUDAS THE GALILEAN
There is only one Master over us - the Lord! You cannot acknowledge a man's authority over you, whether he is a procurator, a Caesar, or anyone else!
A VOICE FROM THE CROWD
But the Romans will kill us.
JUDAS THE GALILEAN
They will! Our ancestors fought for independence and won. They were not afraid of enslavers and found freedom. And you have no fear! There is no retreat! Freedom is the key!
Jazz version of Marseillaise is played off-camera.
VOICES FROM THE CROWD
Freedom or death! Freedom or death! Freedom or death!
The roar of a Roman buccina (musical instrument) is heard.
A detachment of Roman legionnaires, led by Centurion, shows up at the other end of the street. The Legionnaires' formation is on the way to the rebels.
The rebel crowd moves towards the Legionnaires, throwing stones at the Legionnaires as they go. The rebels are reconfiguring into an extended line.
A fight between the rebels and the Legionnaires begins. The rebels use their arms, their legs, their sticks. There are karate style fights.
Gradually, the Legionaries take over.
Judas the Galilean knocks down one legionnaire and then another one.
A few legionnaires pounce on him, knock him down and twist his arms.
The Marseillaise ends abruptly.
Judas the Galilean, laying on the ground face down, lifts his head.
JUDAS THE GALILEAN
(shouts) Don't be afraid to die for Justice. Be not afraid to die. Freedom is the key!
Judas the Galilean sees some of the rebels being twisted and dragged aside by the legionnaires, others being thrown to the ground.
14. EXT. OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY - DAYTIME
(YESHU (6), MIRYAM, LEGIONNAIRES, REBELS)
Yeshu (6) runs across the wasteland and sees several legionnaires preparing to crucify the rebels. Yeshu looks closely and comes closer. Legionnaires nail a rebel to the cross.
YESHU
(to a legionnaire, politely) Tell me, what are they being punished for?
The legionnaire looks at Yeshu in surprise.
LEGIONNAIRE
(carelessly) Rioting, opposing the authorities, resisting the census.
YESHU
Is he in a lot of pain?
SECOND LEGIONNAIRE
(mockingly) Ask him yourself.
Yeshu looks at the Rebel.
REBEL
(Yeshu) Death is nothing.
Yeshu and the Rebel: EYE TO EYE.
CLOSE-UP: Rebel's eyes.
Miryam approaches.
MIRYAM
(anxiously) There you are. Let's go home. You can't watch this.
Miryam tries to take Yeshu's hand, Yeshu tries to pull his hand away.
YESHU
(contrarily) Why can't I? I am interested.
MIRYAM
Kids can't watch things like that.
Miryam manages to take Yeshu's hand, she pulls him away, Yeshu resists unsuccessfully. Yeshu turns around as he walks.
LEGIONNAIRE
Don't worry, kid, you'll see enough of this when you're older.
Miriam pulls Yeshu away.
The crucified rebel follows them with his eyes.
SUBTITLE: ===== 3771 anno mundi = = = = = 11 A.D. =====
TITLES:
"A young man was splitting wood in the corner, and the axe came down and cut the sole of his foot in two, and he died from loss of blood. And there was a great commotion, and people ran together, and the child Jesus ran there too. And He pressed through the crowd, and laid hold of the young man's wounded foot, and he was cured immediately."
Source: Infancy Gospel of Thomas.
15. EXT. NAZARETH, NEIGHBOR'S COURTYARD - DAYTIME
(YESHU, YOUNG MAN, PEOPLE)
The neighbor (20), splitting wood. He splits one log with an axe, removes the chips and puts on another one.
A neighbor hits a chunk of wood with an axe, the blow is weak and sloppy.
In the next yard, Miryam comes out of the house and hangs up the laundry.
The neighbor swings the axe. The axe gets stuck in the log. The neighbor struggles to pull out his axe.
NEIGHBOR
(irritated) Oh, it's going to be like that?
The neighbor swings and hits really hard.
CLOSE-UP: The axe is sticking out of the foot. Blood flows profusely from the wound.
NEIGHBOR
(screams) Aaah!
In the next yard, Miryam hears shouting and sees a neighbor falling to the ground.
NEIGHBOR
(screams) Aaah!
Yeshu approaches Miryam.
YESHU
What is it, Mom? Who’s shouting? What happened?
MIRYAM
Trouble, son.
Miryam comes out of the yard. Yeshu follows her.
CUT
There is a crowd of people in the neighbor's yard. Yeshu and Miryam approach.
VOICES
Oh, what a misfortune!... How did he do that? … Wow… So young … And nothing can be done.
Yeshu and Miryam make their way through the crowd. The neighbor is lying on the ground. The axe is lying nearby.
NEIGHBOR
(barely above a whisper) It hurts. I can't stand it. I'm dying.
VOICES
How horrible … He's going to bleed out like that... Isn't there anything to be done?
Yeshu squats down next to the Neighbor.
NEIGHBOR
(barely above a whisper) I'm dying.
Yeshu takes the Neighbor's hand and presses his hand near the wound.
YESHU
Hold on. Press here and the bleeding will stop.
The neighbor is looking at Yeshu.
YESHU
(severely) Do what I say!
The neighbor clamps the wound with his hand.
NEIGHBOR
(barely above a whisper) I'm going to die.
YESHU
(severely) No, if you listen to me (to Miryam) Mom, bring me a clean cloth!
The neighbors give Yeshu a piece of cloth. Yeshu bandages the wound.
CUT
The neighbor is sitting on the ground. Yeshu is squatting next to him.
YESHU
The blood is no longer flowing. (to neighbors) Help him come into the house, let him eat and lie down, rest, sleep.
Two men helping the Neighbor up.
NEIGHBOR
Where's the boy? Where's Yeshu?
Yeshu and Miryam are slowly leaving.
SUBTITLE: ===== 3786 anno mundi = = = = = 26 A.D. =====
TITLES: “Pilate commanded to bring the images of the Emperor to Jerusalem and used the sacred treasure to build an aqueduct. The people were strongly indignant and many Jews fell dead under blows of legionaries, and many were trampled in confusion by the compatriots"
Source: Josephus Flavius, The Jewish War.
16. EXT. JERUSALEM. NEAR PILATE'S RESIDENCE - DAYTIME
(YESHU, PONTIUS PILATE, PEOPLE, REBELS, LEGIONARIES)
Crowd rumbling around.
VOICES IN THE CROWD OFF-CAMERA
(angrily) Pilate used the temple jewels, gold for the construction of an aqueduct... Who does he think he is? This is unheard of...
It is blasphemy and sacrilege...
Pilate brought images, statues of the Emperor - a violation of the commandments of Moses...
On the elevation, near Pilate's residence, an extended line of legionaries is standing. Pilate, accompanied by several legionnaires and Centurion, goes out to the people. In front of a cordon of legionnaires, a crowd murmurs.
Yeshu stands a little aside from the crowd and watches.
VOICES FROM THE CROWD
(angrily) Pilate, give back what you took! … Pilate, give back the gold!
Remove the Emperor's images...
PILATE
(loudly) I have used your gold for your own good, for your own needs. Or does Jerusalem not need water?
As in Rome, you will have a plumbing system built with this money. The filth and stench would stop and Jerusalem would become a clean, blooming city. The gold was lying idle anyway.
VOICES FROM THE CROWD
Pilate, get out of Judea! … Pilate, go to Rome!
Pilate wants to say something, but the crowd is noisy and pushing against the Romans. Pilate signals Centurion to approach him. Centurion leans toward Pilate.
PILATE
(whispers indistinctly)
The Centurion nods affirmatively and withdraws to the side.
In front of a cordon of legionnaires, a crowd murmurs.
VOICES FROM THE CROWD
Pilate, get out of Judea! Pilate, go to Rome!
Some people from the crowd are trying to break the cordon. Legionnaires struggle to contain the crowd. Jazz version of Marseillaise is played off-camera.
PILATE
(to the Centurion) They won't calm down. They seem to need more serious arguments.
Centurion nods understandingly and steps away.
VOICES FROM THE CROWD
Pilate, get out of Judea! … Pilate, go to Rome! Pilate, get out of Judea!
YESHU
(together with the crowd) Pilate, get out of Judea!
The rebels start attacking the Romans, throwing stones at them.
Legionnaires in the crowd shout "back off", "stop" and try to contain the rebels. Karate-style fights between Legionnaires and insurgents start everywhere.
Yeshu looks at the fights between the legionaries and the rebels. A legionnaire is looking at Yeshu. A legionnaire is attacking Yeshu. Yeshu fights back and backs away, the legionnaire brings him to the ground and piles on top of him himself.
Pilate watches from the rostrum as the legionnaires beat the rebels. Pilate makes a gesture with his hand. The roar of a Roman buccina (pipe) is heard.
The legionnaire sits on Yeshu lying down. He has already put his hand up to strike. But at the moment the roar of a Roman buccina (pipe) is heard.
17. INT. JEWISH CHAIKHANA (TEAHOUSE) - EVENING
(YESHU, ROMAN, CHAIKHANA KEEPER, BOUNCER, DANCER, VISITORS, ONE-LEGGED SINGER, VIOLINIST)
Yeshu walks into the chaikhana. There are tables everywhere, with people sitting at them, with no empty seats. Most of the visitors have a gangsterlike appearance. Yeshu walks deeper. Behind the fence, there is an area for the rich. Several well-dressed men are sitting there. Pretty waitresses serve wine jugs and snack trays. In the middle of the rich people's area, a half-naked dancer is performing a belly dance. Yeshu stops and looks at the dancer.
The bouncer walks up to Yeshu and says: This is no place for beggars. Turns him around and tries to push him out.
Yeshu walks deeper. Roman (45), sitting at a table with his arm tied and looking at him. Their eyes meet.
ROMAN.
Looking for a seat? (Yeshu nods) Sit down.
The Roman moves, making some room. Yeshu sits next to him.
A ONE-LEGGED SINGER and a VIOLINIST walk past their table. The violinist plays the violin and performs a remade song adapted to Palestine: "From Odessa Kichman" (Google)
ONE-LEGGED SINGER
Two bandits
Escaped from a Jewish gaol,
Two bandits escaped at dawn,
They stopped by the thief's nest named Nazareth,
They stopped to have a rest...
One of them was a hero of the Civil War, a zealot and a partisan.
He failed to get there unharmed.
He was swathed in bandage
All heated with some wine,
And he started singing the following song:
Oh friend, my friend,
My wounds are hurting,
My wounds are hurting deep inside.
One of them is healing,
The other one is festering,
And the third one still deep inside.
What were we fighting for,
What were we battling for.
What were we shedding our blood for?
But they're feasting there,
But they are drinking there,
And they tell us "Give us your sons".
Oh friend, my friend,
My feeble friend,
Bury my body deep in the ground,
Put a stone on the top of my grave.
And stick a smile to my lips,
And I shall be well in my grave.
Oh friend, my friend,
You tell my mother,
That her son died in the war
And with a sword in one hand
And with a shield in the other,
With a cheerful smile on his lips.
Two bandits
Escaped from a Jewish gaol,
Two bandits escaped at dawn,
They stopped by the thief's nest named Nazareth,
They stopped to have a rest...
The song is played in the background during a conversation between Yeshu and the Roman.
CUT
The Roman and Yeshu are sitting next to each other.
ROMAN
I see you got hurt, too.
The Roman points to a bruise under Yeshu's eye.
YESHU
I just went to the square to see.
ROMAN
I was just walking by too. The guys took me for a rebel at first, so they gave me a hard time. Good thing I figured to say a few words in Latin.
YESHU
So you're a Roman?
ROMAN
Half. My mother is Jewish.
YESHU
It's weird how they got along together.
ROMAN
Tell me, why do the Jews rebel? They don't want to be clean? They don't want to have aqueduct like in Rome? Tell me, whose is the city Jerusalem? Roman or Jewish?
YESHU
Technically, it's Roman. In spirit, it's Jewish. We want to have an aqueduct, but not at this price.
ROMAN
Oh, thank you for your frankness and sincerity. Bold answer, for a Jewish young man. Would you like a drink with me? My treat.
Yeshu nods. The Roman fills the cups with wine.
ROMAN
To Rome and its divine emperor, Tiberius.
YESHU
I'm sorry, but I'm Jewish and I can't drink to a Roman emperor. (The Roman looks at Yeshu in surprise).
ROMAN
There it is, the difference of worldviews.
Our Emperor has become famous for great deeds, has special abilities and for this we regard him as God, the Savior of the nation.
YESHU
Could I be the Lord, too? God? Messiah? Savior?
ROMAN
Yes. If you have spiritual power, if you can cure people of diseases, perform miracles.
YESHU
Yes. I'm not like other people Where others silently agree and nod, I have my own opinion. It's like someone's talking to me from the inside, telling me the way to the Truth.
ROMAN
Interesting. I see you have charisma, energy in your eyes.
And who is your father?
YESHU
I do not know. People say I'm a bastard, an illegitimate. My father, I mean, my mother's man, he's not my father. When I was conceived, he didn't even share a bed with her. He spent days and nights at the synagogue. And my mother didn't see who she was conceiving with. It was a pitch-black night.
ROMAN
(musingly) That's an amazing story you have. Just like Plato's. Immaculate conception. What does your mother say about your birth?
YESHU
Nothing. I don't look anything like my father. I told you, I'm special.
ROMAN
(musingly) You're really not like the others. I noticed you from a distance. Perhaps you really are not a bastard, but you were born uprightly and sent by God to earth for great and big things. Only for that, people have to believe in you. You have to surprise them so they can follow you.
YESHU
Dear Roman, what you said is very interesting and important to me. What is the immaculate conception? Can you tell me more?
ROMAN
Well, why not? Willingly.
Every Roman, Latin, knows this. Our sages tell us that Perseus was immaculately conceived by the virgin Dana; from the god Zeus. And Plato was also immaculately conceived by the god Apollo. And those who are conceived immaculately have special, divine qualities, they are the Sons of God. Your holy books seem to mention that too, but I don't know for sure.
SUBTITLE, OFF-CAMERA VOICE.
"One night the ghost of Apollo lay down with Plato's mother Perictione, and then appeared before Plato's father Ariston and commanded him not to mate with Perictione any more until she gave birth to a child and he obeyed. When Plato was born, his parents took the child to Himmettes, where he was to be sacrificed to the gods there – Pan, the nymphs and Apollo, the shepherd."
Source: La;rtius, Diogenes. The lives, opinions, and remarkable sayings of the most famous ancient philosophers. M. 1979, page. 445
18. EXT. THE YARD OF THE YOSEF'S HOUSE OF – MORNING (YESHU, MIRYAM)
Yeshu walks into the yard. Standing in the courtyard, Miryam washes laundry in a basin. As Yeshu walks in, Miryam raises her head.
MIRYAM
Where have you been, son, for so long?
What happened to you? You have many wounds?
YESHU
Mom, it doesn't matter. I want to have a serious talk with you. Who is my father? How was I born?
I want to know the truth...
MIRYAM
(with anxiety) What happened? Did someone say something to you?
YESHU
Everyone's talking about it. People say I'm a bastard, an illegitimate.
It's hard for me to live with that lifelong stigma.
MIRYAM
Never mind what they say. Why are you asking me about that now?
YESHU
Because now it has become unbearable and very important. So, who is my father? You should know that, shouldn't you? (Miryam is silent) Tell me, did you see anything?
MIRYAM
What could I see? It was pitch dark.
YESHU
So you didn't seen him! (confidently) So that means it was God!
MIRYAM
Yeshu, wake up! What are you saying? You're delusional! You are insane!
YESHU
(confidently) Yes! Of course! It was God! I was born purely…
Yeshu walks away quickly in excitement.
SUBTITLE: ===== 3790 anno mundi = = = = = 30 A.D. =====
19. EXT. ON THE BANKS OF THE JORDAN RIVER - DAYTIME (JOHN THE BAPTIST, YESHU, PILGRIMS)
Yeshu walks through the desert towards the Jordan river. There are several more pilgrims walking ahead of him.
A sandy hill rises on the bank of the river. On a hill, facing the river, stands JOHN THE BAPTIST (35), a very thin man in a camel wool cloak wrapped in a belt. Below him, several dozen pilgrims sit on the hillside.
JOHN THE BAPTIST
We see constant riots and quarrels. Brother kills brother! The rich rob the poor!
This all points to the coming of the end times.
The wicked will face the Last Judgement, but then the kingdom of God will come and Justice will prevail on earth.
Yeshu comes ashore, looks out, sees John the Baptist and the pilgrims, and walks towards them.
JOHN THE BAPTIST
(shaking the staff) Repent before it is too late, cleanse yourselves of your sins, turn to the Truth, for the Kingdom of God is at hand and soon the Savior, the Messiah will come to earth.
John the Baptist lowers the staff, descends from the hill and walks directly into the water waistdeep. Several pilgrims line up for him.
JOHN THE BAPTIST
I will cleanse you from your filth and give you a new heart and a new life.
He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
A pharisee approaches John the Baptist.
PHARISEE
Tell me, do you promise a new life and a new heart? Aren't you the Messiah?
EYE TO EYE: John the Baptist - Pharisee.
JOHN THE BAPTIST
(confidently) No. I'm not the Messiah. I baptize in water. But soon will come another, the true Messiah! I am not worthy to untie a strap of his shoe.
John the Baptist scoops water with his hands and pours it on the head of the nearest pilgrim. The next pilgrim approaches John the Baptist, who then scoops water with his hands and pours it on pilgrim's head.
John the Baptist looks at the river bank and sees Yeshu slowly approaching the water.
There's a beautiful white pigeon in the sky.
John the Baptist and the pilgrims watch as a white dove circles in the sky.
The dove circles over the crowd, John the Baptist, then gradually descends and sits on Yeshu's shoulder.
The pilgrims beside Yeshu let out an astonished murmur.
JOHN THE BAPTIST
Look at the dove. This is a sign! A miracle! It is the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove who has chosen the most worthy of us! This is the Savior and the Son of God who was sent by God to our sinful earth!
Yeshu approaches John the Baptist.
EYE TO EYE: John the Baptist - Yeshu.
JOHN THE BAPTIST
Why did you come to me? Do you really want to be baptized by me? I'm not worth it. I'm the one who needs to be baptized by you.
YESHU
Leave it now, for thus we must do the will of God.
JOHN THE BAPTIST
Be it your way.
John scoops water with his hands, pours it out on Yeshu's head. Yeshu walks away.
JOHN THE BAPTIST
Behold, the Lamb of God, the Messiah, who shall bear the sins of this world!
CUT
Yeshu, John the Baptist, and the pilgrims are standing on the hill. Yeshu stands at the hilltop, John the Baptist is a little lower. Pilgrims are standing further down the slope.
YESHU, JOHN THE BAPTIST, PILGRIMS
loudly singing a song by Leonard Cohen – Hallelujah (Google it)
The sun is sinking below the horizon.
20. EXT. NEAR THE CABIN – DAYTIME (YESHU, YOUTHS, PILGRIMS, LAME MAN)
Yeshu comes out of the cabin. There are two young men standing near the hut.
YOUNG MEN.
We have heard of you from John the Baptist, and we want to be your disciples, to follow you everywhere.
YESHU
That's commendable, but very difficult. If you go with me, you shall keep the commandments of God, but then you will be with me in Paradise.
YOUNG MAN NO. 1
(to Yeshu) We have heard about you, that you can work miracles. If this is true and you are who you say you are, prove it to us with some sign.
A crowd of pilgrims and curious people gradually gather around Yeshu and the two young men.
YESHU
What sign do you want from me?
YOUNG MAN NO. 1
(to Yeshu) Make it so that the lame man can walk.
YESHU
I will.
Two pilgrims bring the lame man to Yeshu under his arms and place him on the ground
PILGRIM
Since birth he's been unable to walk.
YESHU
He will walk now.
Yeshu leans over and puts his hand on the Lame Man. The Lame Man is rolling on the ground.
YESHU
(pointedly) Stand up and walk.
The lame man rolls on the ground, then rises to his feet. A surprised murmur rushes through the crowd.
The lame man walks slowly.
VOICES IN THE CROWD OFF-CAMERA
(astonished) Look, he is walking! It's a miracle!
The lame man is walking slowly.
Yeshu turns to the young men standing next to him.
YESHU
Let us go to the nearby villages and towns that I may heal and preach there too, for that is why I came into this world. Mind you, no sooner have we gone around the cities of Israel than the Kingdom of God will come.
CUT
SUNSET. Yeshu, surrounded by several men, moves away towards the setting sun.
21. EXT. THE SHORE OF THE SEA OF GALILEE. DAYTIME
(YESHU, PETER, ANDREW, JACOB, JOHN, ZEBEDEE, YOUNG MEN)
Yeshu, accompanied by several young men, goes ashore. There's a boat nearby. Peter and Andrew are bringing out nets with some fish in them from the side of the Sea of Galilee.
Andrew looks at Yeshu, then turns to Peter.
ANDREW
(respectfully) Look. That's the one. The one everyone's talking about...
Andrew and Peter stop and look at Yeshu.
YESHU
What are you looking at? Have you seen? Follow me and I will cleanse you from your sins and you will enter the Kingdom of God.
Yeshu is walking along the shore. Andrew and Peter let go of the nets, which fall to the sand, and follow Yeshu.
CUT
Yeshu is walking along the shore. Andrew, Peter and the young men are following him.
Jacob, John, and Zebedee are on the shore near the boat fixing the net.
Jacob lifts his head and looks at Yeshu. Yeshu makes an inviting hand gesture to him. Jacob and John quit their jobs and follow him. Zebedee stares after them.
22. EXT. ON THE ROAD - DAYTIME
(YESHU, LEPER, PETER, ANDREW, JOHN, JACOB, YOUNG MEN)
Yeshu is walking along the road. Andrew, Peter Jacob, John and the young men are following him.
The Leper appears on the road, walking towards them. He's wearing a cloak that almost completely covers his face and body.
CLOSE-UP: The Leper's face is almost completely covered with a hood.
Andrew, Peter, Jacob, John, and the young men, fearing the Leper, move to the edge of the road. Yeshu keeps walking fearlessly in the middle.
The leper kneels down in front of Yeshu, grabbing at the flaps of his clothes. Yeshu stops. Andrew, Peter Jacob, John and the young men keep some distance.
The Leper holds Yeshu by the flaps of his clothes.
CLOSE-UP: Disfigured Leper's hand.
LEPER
I recognized you! You're a healer! Everyone's talking about you. Cleanse me from my sins! Save and heal me! I beg you!
Yeshu stretches out his hand and puts it on the head of the Leper.
YESHU
Full well! Let it be done for you according to your faith! Purify and heal!
The Leper kisses Yeshu's feet. His face is transformed, and he's recovering. The amazed disciples look at Yeshu with admiration.
23. EXT. ON THE MOUNTAIN - DAYTIME
(YESHU, PETER, ANDREW, JOHN, JACOB, YOUNG MEN, PEOPLE, PHARISEES)
Yeshu is standing on top of the mountain. Peter, Andrew, Jacob, John, young men, and the people are sitting at the foot.
YESHU
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God, blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled, blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Peter, Andrew, Jacob, John, young men, and the people are sitting at the foot.
CLOSE-UP: faces of Peter, Andrew
YESHU OFF-CAMERA
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Judge not, that ye be not judged.
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
CLOSE-UP: the faces of Jacob, John
The Pharisee, tempting Yeshu, asked:
PHARISEE
Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
YESHU
The chief commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment; and the second is like it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Yeshu is standing on top of the mountain.
CLOSE-UP: Yeshu's face.
YESHU
So, another cardinal golden rule: Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Yeshu is standing on top of the mountain. Peter, Andrew, Jacob, John, young men, and the people are sitting at the foot.
CLOSE-UP: Yeshu's face.
YESHU
Do not collect false treasures. That's what pagans do. Take care of spiritual treasures and only then will you find the Kingdom of God.
It is at hand! At the door!
CUT
Yeshu is standing on top of the mountain. Peter, Andrew, Jacob, John, young men, and the people are sitting at the foot. Everyone sings the song out loud: U.S.A. For Africa – We Are the World (Google it).
24. EXT. NEAR THE MOUNTAIN - DAYTIME
(YESHU, JAIRUS, PETER, ANDREW, JOHN, JACOB, YOUNG MEN, PEOPLE)
Yeshu is coming down the mountain. He is approached by JAIRUS (40).
JAIRUS
(pleading) I am Rabbi Jairus of the local synagogue. I have great grief.
I hear you can heal people. Please, help me. My little daughter lieth at the point of death; come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.
25. EXT. CITY STREETS - DAYTIME
(YESHU, JAIRUS, PETER, ANDREW, JOHN, JACOB, YOUNG MEN, A WOMAN PEOPLE)
Yeshu, Jairus, Peter, Andrew, Jacob, and John are making their way through the crowd.
A woman (35 years old) of sickly appearance is following them, trying to keep up.
WOMAN.
(to herself) I wish I could at least touch his clothes.
The woman breaks through the crowd, catches up with Yeshu and touches his clothes. She stops and takes a deep breath.
WOMAN.
(to herself) Ahhh.
Yeshu walks a few meters, stops and looks around.
JAIRUS
(scared) Why did you stop?
YESHU
Who was it that touched me?
PETER
(after a pause) You see. That the people are crowding and pressing against you and ask – Who was it that touched me?
Yeshu looks around.
EYE TO EYE: YESHU – WOMAN.
The woman approaches Yeshu and falls to her knees.
WOMAN.
I was bleeding for 12 years. No doctor could heal me. My condition got worse and worse. When I heard about you, I told myself that if I even touched your clothes, I would heal.
YESHU
(benevolently) Your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your sickness.
A man approaches Jairus.
MAN
(quietly) Your daughter is gone. Why bother the teacher anymore?
Jairus shudders. Yeshu turns to Jairus.
YESHU
(to Jairus) Don't be afraid. Just have faith. Your daughter isn't dead, she's asleep.
Yeshu, Jairus, Peter, Jacob, and John keep walking.
26. EXT. NEAR THE HOUSE OF JAIRUS- DAYTIME
(YESHU, JAIRUS, PETER, JOHN, JACOB, WOMEN)
Yeshu, accompanied by Jairus, Peter, John, and Jacob, approaches the house.
FEMALE VOICE OFF-CAMERA
(crying)
FEMALE VOICE OFF-CAMERA
(wailing)
27. INT. CAPERNAUM, HOUSE OF JAIRUS - DAYTIME
(YESHU, JAIRUS, PETER, JOHN, JACOB, GIRL'S MOTHER, WOMEN)
Yeshu, accompanied by Jairus, Peter, John, and Jacob, enters the house. The girl's mother is hysterical. The other woman one is sitting with her head buried in her hands. Two more women are standing against the wall and looking at Yeshu.
GIRL'S MOTHER
(grievingly) My girl is dead!
WOMEN
(crying monotonously)
YESHU
Why all this commotion and wailing? The girl's not dead, but she's just sleeping.
GIRL'S MOTHER
(surprised) Sleeping? Yeah, right. She's sleeping. (laughs hysterically)
WOMEN
(crying monotonously)
Yeshu takes Jairus and the Woman by the hands.
YESHU
(firmly) Lead me to her.
Turns to Peter, John, Jacob
YESHU
(firmly) You follow me. The rest of you, leave the house.
Women are walking out. Yeshu approaches the girl's bed (12 years old).
Yeshu looks at the girl lying motionless in the bed.
GIRL'S MOTHER
(crying softly).
Jairus squeezes the hand of the Girl's Mother tightly. The Girl's Mother stops crying.
Yeshu looks at the girl. Checks the pulse on the arm, feels the temperature of the legs.
YESHU
(firmly) Little girl, I say to you, get up!
The girl is lying still. Then he opens his eyes, gets out of bed and starts walking slowly.
The girl, without reacting to anybody, walks around the room. The Mother rushes to her and embraces her.
Jairus falls before Yeshu on his knees and hugs his feet.
GIRL'S MOTHER
(cheerfully) She's alive!
JAIRUS
(servilely) You made a miracle! You're our Savior! Christ!
A woman runs into the room, rushes to the Girl and her Mother and hugs them both.
Jairus keeps embracing Yeshu.
Yeshu touches Jairus by the shoulder and looks at him.
EYE TO EYE: YESHU – JAIRUS.
YESHU
Let her eat.
JAIRUS
(fussily) Yes, yes, I will.
Jairus rises heavily to his feet.
YESHU
(pointedly) No one can know what happened here.
28. EXT. ON THE ROAD – DAYTIME
(YESHU, ANDREW, PETER, JOHN, JACOB, YOUNG MEN, DISCIPLES OF JOHN THE BAPTIST)
Yeshu accompanied by Andrew, Peter, John, Jacob, two young men, walks along the road. The disciples of John the Baptist walk towards him.
Yeshu stops.
CUT
The disciples of John the Baptist stand opposite Yeshu.
JOHN'S DISCIPLES
We are John's disciples. He sent us to you to ask: Are you the Christ? Messiah?
YESHU
“Go your way and report to John what you are hearing and seeing : The blind are seeing again , and the lame are walking about , the lepers are being cleansed and the deaf are hearing , and the dead are being raised up , and the poor are having the good news declared to them.
"Don't Worry, Be Happy" is played (Google)
Yeshu walks along the road singing and dancing. About 10 disciples are following him, also singing and dancing.
CUT
Yeshu walks along the road singing and dancing. About 30 disciples are following him, also singing and dancing.
CUT
Yeshu walks along the road singing and dancing. About 100 disciples are following him, all of them also singing and dancing.
29. EXT. NEAR THE TEMPLE - DAYTIME
(YESHU, FALSE-BLIND MAN, ANDREW, PETER, JOHN, JACOB, DISCIPLES, PASSERS-BY)
Yeshu and the disciples pass by the temple. A BLIND MAN (40) is sitting near the temple. The Blind Man rolls his eyes up.
BLIND MAN
Give alms to a blind man. Give alms to a blind man.
Yeshu stops and looks at the blind man.
30. EXT. NEAR THE TEMPLE - DAYTIME
(YESHU, A BLIND LEGLESS MAN, PASSERS-BY)
Flashback, Yeshu's memories. Yeshu is walking past a temple. A blind man crawls on his hands, pretending to be legless.
BLIND LEGLESS MAN
Give alms to a legless man.
The blind man looks at Yeshu and extends his arm.
BLIND LEGLESS MAN
Give alms to a legless man.
CLOSE-UP: A coin falls into Blind Man's outstretched hand.
31. EXT. NEAR THE TEMPLE - DAYTIME
(YESHU, BLIND MAN, ANDREW, PETER, JOHN, JACOB, DISCIPLES, PASSERS-BY)
Yeshu and the disciples are walking by the temple. The Blind Man is sitting there. Yeshu approaches the Blind Man and looks at him.
YESHU
To the Blind Man: Blind Man, are you really blind, or are you just pretending and deceiving people? Do you remember me?
BLIND MAN
How can I remember you if I was born blind? You can ask my parents.
CLOSE-UP: Blind Man's face. The Blind Man rolls his eyes up.
YESHU
Well, I'm going to heal you now. Do you want to heal?
Yeshu takes a stick from Peter, turns to the Blind Man and swings sharply. The Blind Man instantly regains his sight and instinctively covers his head with his hands, then leaps to his feet, the money is scattered and he starts collecting it, then runs away. About 20 yards away, he turns around and looks back.
All passers-by are laughing.
PETER
He regained his sight. Good Lord! You're not only a healer, you're also a soothsayer!
Yeshu and the disciples laugh and leave.
32. EXT. NOT FAR FROM SAMARIA - DAYTIME
(YESHU, ANDREW, PETER, JOHN, JACOB, YOUNG MEN, A WOMAN OF SAMARIA)
Yeshu approaches a well. In the distance you can see the city of Samaria.
YESHU
(to the disciples) Go to the town, buy some food.
ANDREW
All right, teacher.
Disciples leave.
Yeshu looks up at the sky.
A Samaritan Woman (35) with water bags approaches the well. She scoops water.
Yeshu looks at the Samaritan Woman.
YESHU
(politely) Give me some water to drink.
SAMARITAN WOMAN
(surprised) You, a Jew, ask water from me, Samaritan women? Jews are forbidden to associate with Samaritans.
YESHU
If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.
Yeshu smiles.
SAMARITAN WOMAN
(distrustfully) You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?
YESHU
Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
Samaritan Woman looks at Yeshu in surprise.
SAMARITAN WOMAN
Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.
YESHU
Believe me, a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.
SAMARITAN WOMAN
(confidently) Lord! You sound like a prophet. I know the Messiah is coming — the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us, they will beat the swords into ploughshares, and Paradise will come upon the earth.
The disciples appear on the road. Yeshu rises.
YESHU
(spreading your arms) You are right about the Messiah. I am the Messiah, the Christ who speaks to you now.
Yeshu is walking towards the apostles. The afflicted Samaritan woman looks at him in surprise and then runs to the nearby city of Samaria, to a synagogue to tell about what she saw and heard.
33. INT. SYNAGOGUE IN SAMARIA - DAYTIME (SAMARITAN WOMAN, RABBIS, PEOPLE).
There are many parishioners in the synagogue, studying the Torah. Samaritan Woman walks in, heads straight for the rabbi and speaks excitedly.
SAMARITAN WOMAN.
Dear Rabbi, I met an unusual Jew near the well. He spoke like a prophet, promised to give me holy, living and eternal water. He said that he who drinks this water will never thirst and will find eternal life.
He also called himself Christ, the Messiah. How should I feel about that?
There is a ruckus and an uproar in the synagogue.
VOICES IN THE SYNAGOGUE
Yeah, we heard that, too.
A Galilean walks around Palestine, who seems to be able to heal and even raise the dead. His name is either Yeshu or Jesus of Nazareth. Some take him for the Savior, but others see him as an impostor, a fraud and a sorcerer. What do you say, Rabbi?
SAMARITAN RABBI
Be assured, my brethren, that I also have heard of him, that he healed the daughter of Rabbi Jairus, and helped many people, but do not become gullible.
Our prophets warned us: many false messiahs and false christs will come and work miracles, signs, and seduce many gullible believers. Be vigilant, do not give in to pleasant promises.
JEWISH PARISHIONER
Dear Rabbi, but many people have witnessed healing by him and confirm it publicly.
SAMARITAN RABBI
I repeat. Yes, this is true. Many of our prophets could heal, but declaring one the Messiah, Christ on this basis is wrong, a blasphemy.
The Messiah is not just a healer who can cure 10, 20 or more people. The true Messiah must heal all mankind!
THE JEWS
He's right! It is among the Gentile Romans, the one that has healed a neighbor can become the Savior, the Christ. Our faith teaches other thing!
SAMARITAN RABBI
Absolutely! We see sickness, misery, war and misfortune everywhere. The true Christ, the Messiah, must destroy all diseases, troubles, misfortunes and reign peace and the Kingdom of God in all the earth for all mankind!
As long as this has not happened, there is no Messiah to speak of, and whoever calls himself one is an impostor, a fraud and blasphemer, or a heathen and ignorant.
Judge by deeds, not by words! So it's not the Messiah, it's an impostor.
People continue to discuss the sensational event, but gradually disperse to their homes.
34. EXT. NAZARETH, NEAR THE SYNAGOGUE - DAYTIME
(YESHU, ANDREW, PETER, JOHN, JACOB)
Yeshu, accompanied by the apostles, approaches the synagogue and enters it.
35. INT. NAZARETH, SYNAGOGUE - DAYTIME
(YESHU, ANDREW, PETER, JOHN, JACOB, MINISTER, JEWS)
The synagogue reads, discusses and interprets the Tanakh (Old Testament), the book of Isaiah, the prophecies about the Messiah, the Christ. Yeshu and his disciples sit cross-legged and listen.
PARISHIONER JEW.
(reads) When the Messiah comes, the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. And the Holy Spirit shall be poured out upon every flesh.
The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord.
The wicked will be punished and will disappear from the earth...
RABBI.
Anyone who wants to add to that, speak up.
YESHU
Allow me. I want to read now.
Rabbi invites Yeshu to the table. Yeshu approaches the table. Andrew, Peter, John, Jacob sit at a distance.
Yeshu holds out his hand. The minister gives him a scroll.
MINISTER
(in a low voice) The Book of Isaiah
Yeshu looks through the scroll and finds a Isaiah 61.1
YESHU
(reading) "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised."
Yeshu moves from the scroll to the center and continues. Everyone is looking at him.
YESHU
Now this scripture, which you have heard, is fulfilled.
JEW NO. 1
What do you mean "fulfilled"? Fulfilled in what way?
YESHU
It's written about me. I heal, make the blind see.
There's a rumble in the crowd.
JEW NO. 3
You said this prophecy was written about you? Yeas, we heard about you healing. You make the blind see.
JEW NO. 2
Isn't that Yosef's son? Isn't he the bastard that Maryam gave birth to not with her lawful husband? Everybody knows that!
YESHU
I'm not a bastard! Conversely: I am the Son of God, conceived blamelessly by a virgin, and this is written in the law by the prophets.
Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. And you do not want to receive me, because your eyes are blind and your hearts and souls are stiffened.
A growing rumble, discontent and indignation can be heard in the crowd...
YESHU
My miraculous birth is written in the law of the prophet Isaiah: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son.
VOICES IN THE CROWD
(indignantly) What is he saying? … How dare he? Where does he think he is? Who's blind? Whose hearts are stiffened? What kind of virgin birth is he talking about? Where does it say of immaculate conception? Which Isaiah has it written? In which place? Rabbi, explain it to us. Is it true or false?
The Jews jump up from their seats and come at Yeshu. Andrew, Peter, John, and Jacob are confused. The Jews just push them away and surround Yeshu.
RABBI
Brothers, calm down! Such a verse does appear in the law of Isaiah, but it does not say anything about a virgin, it says the Hebrew word ALMA, which when translated correctly does not mean a virgin, but a young woman.
VOICES IN THE SYNAGOGUE
Liar! Blasphemer! Impostor! Swindler! Does he have the nerve to twist the holy Torah?
Outraged fellow Jews are shouting. The crowd drives Yeshu out of the synagogue...
36. EXT. STREETS OF NAZARETH - DAYTIME
(YESHU, ANDREW, PETER, JOHN, JACOB, MINISTER, JEWS)
The crowd pulls Yeshu through the streets of the town.
VOICES IN THE CROWD
(indignantly) Get out of the synagogue! Get out of our town! … Death to a liar and a blasphemer! ...Death to him!
There's a hill up ahead.
Andrew, Peter, John, Jacob are following the crowd. John tries to break into the crowd, he is pushed away, and he falls.
PETER
(worried) We have to save the teacher.
The crowd pulls Yeshu up the hill.
Andrew, Peter, John, Jacob squeeze into the crowd and try to get closer to Yeshu.
Peter pushes the Jew closest to him with force. The Jew turns to Peter.
JEW NO. 1
(indignantly) What's your problem?
Andrew pushes the Jew closest to him.
JEW NO. 2
(indignantly) So, it's going to be like that?
The Jew pushes Andrew. John and Jacob are also pushing those closer to them.
The crowd is jostling and turning into a fight.
Yeshu takes advantage of the confusion and pulls himself out of the hands of the protesters.
Peter raises his head. Yeshu, fighting off his pursuers, quickly runs down the road towards the setting sun.
SUBTITLE: ===== 3791 anno mundi = = = = = 31 A.D. =====
TITLES. ANNOUNCER OFF CAMERA.
"The thug who believed in Yeshu united with three hundred and ten of his disciples, and they all armed themselves and prepared for the battle — to destroy the Jews. And the great war broke out: the father killed the son, and the son killed the father. But, eventually, the Jews began to win and imprisoned Yeshu, but the mob went to the prison, and smashed the castles, and brought Yeshu out of the prison."
Source: Toledot Yeshu, Chapter 8.
37. EXT. NEAR THE TEMPLE - DAYTIME
(YESHU, ANDREW, PETER, JOHN, JACOB, CROWD, THE RABBIS, THE LEGIONARIES)
A crowd of people gathered near the temple. Discontent is expressed against the pro-Roman upper class, the poverty of the people and the luxury of authorities.
Yeshu and his disciples go to the temple and see dirt, merchants, and money changers.
YESHU
You have turned God's temple into a dirty market, a trading house.
Yeshu has a whip in his hands. Yeshu starts whipping the merchants, turning the tables and kicking the merchants out of the temple.
A detachment of guards enters the Temple.
Yeshu and disciples at once gather in a group, preparing for fight.
Another detachment of guards enters the Temple through another entrance.
One more detachment of guards enters the Temple through third entrance.
Three squads of guards surround Yeshu and the disciples, and the crowd on three sides.
The chief of the guards comes forward and ends up in front of Yeshu.
CHIEF OF GUARDS
What right do you have to behave so brazenly? Making a mess here, overturning the tables of merchants and changers? Prevent them from trading?
YESHU
You have turned the house of the holy God into a filthy bazaar, a house of commerce.
People are living in poverty, and you are swimming in luxury.
VOICES FROM THE CROWD
They all barged in and sold themselves to the Romans! They don't give a fig about the people! Down with the Romans! Long live the free Israel!
CHIEF OF GUARDS
Who are you? The order is the order. You didn't establish it and it's not up to you to change it. Merchants serve pilgrims who need them. If you do not stop this hooliganism and rioting now, you will be arrested and prosecuted.
The crowd from behind rumbles and pushes forward. The guards are forced to retreat back. Yeshu is silent...
CHIEF OF GUARDS
Forward! Arrest them!
The first squad of guards rushes at Yeshu's disciples.
Karate-style fights between guards and the disciples start everywhere. The Internationale is played off camera.
The second and third detachments of guards also rush into battle.
Several guards are trying to capture Yeshu. He whips one guard, then another, on the legs and thereby knocks them to the ground.
Yeshu jumps on the counter. Several guards surround him and try to grab him. Yeshu fights back in a karate style – with his legs and a whip.
Karate-style fights between guards and the disciples start everywhere.
Peter fights off the guards, using a staff in the Shaolin monks style.
He jumps to the next counter. Several guards are surrounding him again. Yeshu fights back in a karate style. One of the guards grabs his whip. Yeshu fights back with his feet. A guard jumps on the counter. Yeshu throws a piece of cloth at him and hits him. The guard falls. Yeshu turns around and kicks the other guard.
Another squad of guards rushes into battle. The guards are driving the disciples back. A large detachment of guards comes in and surround Yeshu.
PETER
Brothers, come on! Save the Teacher!
CHIEF OF GUARDS
Get him.
A dozen guards surround Yeshu from all sides.
Two guards stand behind him.
A crowd of guards attacks Yeshu and ties him up.
The guards leave, taking Yeshu with them.
CLOSE-UP: Yeshu's face. Yeshu has a blessed smile on his face:
Long live the free Israel!
Yeshu's disciples stagger back to one of the exits from the Temple and then just scatter in different directions.
38. EXT. INT. NEAR PRISON-PRISON - DAYTIME
(YESHU, GUARDS)
The guards bring Yeshu to the prison and imprison him in the cell.
39. EXT. STREETS OF NAZARETH - DAYTIME
(ANDREW, PETER, JOHN, JACOB, DISCIPLES, REBELS).
A crowd of disciples rushes out of the city gate and runs away from the city.
ANDREW
(scared) Let's get out of here before we get caught!
PETER
(frightened) What about the teacher? We can't just leave him. We've got to rescue him.
ANDREW
But how? The Romans have heavy guards.
We don't have the strength, and we can't handle it.
JACOB
Wait. Don't run. I know how to help the Teacher. Listen to me.
The disciples stop and listen to Jacob…
40. EXT. INT. NEAR PRISON-PRISON - NIGHT-TIME
(ANDREW, PETER, JOHN, JACOB, DISCIPLES, REBELS, GUARDS).
In the darkness, Yeshu's disciples sneak down to the prison gate.
They knock the gate in a certain, secret way. A guard opens the gate. Disciples handle him a weighty wallet with money and go inside.
THE GUARD.
Curse these gluttonous Romans. They killed my brother and I will take my revenge on them. Our cause is just and victory will be ours. I'll help your teacher escape from prison. And I'll give the money to the warden and he'll cover it up.
The guard escorts the disciples into the depths of the prison.
On the way, they disarm two guards and reach the cell where Yeshu is kept.
Using stones, the disciples break the lock and open the cell door. The disciples and Yeshu, with his many wounds, hug happily and quietly leave the prison grounds.
DISCIPLES
(shouting happily) Teacher is with us! Long live freedom!
The whole company leaves the city and dissolves into the night…
41. INT. TEMPLE - DAYTIME
(HIGH PRIEST CAIAPHAS, ANNA, RABBI OF NAZARETH (62 YEARS OLD), RABBIS)
Sanhedrim meeting. Rabbis are sitting cross-legged and discussing the latest events emotionally. There is a general rumble and the words are indistinguishable. The High Priest Caiaphas comes to the center.
CAIAPHAS.
Dear Rabbis, we meet today in connection with the recent extraordinary, dramatic events in our country. We have only just healed the wounds from the previous rebellions, the turmoil, when another rebellion shakes our long-suffering people. The leader of this rebellion is another impostor Yeshu. The respected Rabbi Anna will report back to you on the whole situation.
RABBI ANNA.
Dear rabbis, we had a mutiny after the death of Herod the Great. 2,000 Jews were crucified.
Then, during the census, the impostor Judas the Galilean declared himself the Messiah and tried to seize power with 4,000 thieves. Recently the rabble rose again against Pontius Pilate and many Jews fell dead. Yesterday, a new troublemaker and blasphemer led the rebellion. Father killed son and son killed father.
That rebel's name is Yeshu. He comes from Nazareth and the Rabbi of Nazareth knows him as a bastard.
Let him speak.
RABBI OF NAZARETH.
Dear Rabbis, indeed I know this bastard Yeshu. His father, Yosef, was a God-conscious Jew, and 30 years ago he came to me and told me of his grief – his beloved wife Miryam had unknowingly become pregnant by a villainous neighbor who took advantage of the darkness and raped her. As a result, Yeshu was born, and Yosef could not survive the disgrace and left the family forever.
RABBIS OFF-CAMERA
So he's a bastard! Only a bastard could organize a riot!
RABBI OF NAZARETH
Yeshu's bastardy became known to everyone and Yeshu became angry with all rabbis: he was constantly insolent to our sages and insulted them, and then he got acquainted with Latin myths about the Immaculate Conception and thought himself the Son of God, quarreled with his brothers and family and left Nazareth.
RABBI NO. 1.
He can heal people, works miracles and is therefore popular with the people.
RABBI NO. 2
(nervously) But how can a sinner do such miracles?
CAIAPHAS.
(confidently) By witchcraft.
Our prophets warned that false shepherds would come and work miracles and would entice and seduce many light-hearted people.
RABBI NO. 1
He also declares himself to be the son of God, the Messiah, Christ, and the king of the Jews.
CAIAPHAS
This is very dangerous blasphemy and we must fight it by explaining to people the teachings of our prophets about the true Messiah! The Messiah is only the one who will build Paradise on earth.
And those who recognize Yeshu as the Messiah, Christ, we will excommunicate from the synagogue.
Cries of encouragement of all rabbis…
The meeting of the Jews ends with bottle dance and singing the song: LOUIS ARMSTRONG Let My People Go Go Down Moses (google it).
42. INT. THE PRIVATE CHAMBERS OF THE HIGH PRIEST CAIAPHAS - EVENING (HIGH PRIEST CAIAPHAS, RABBI ANNA, JUDAS ISCARIOT).
High Priest Caiaphas and Rabbi Anna, with a disturbed expression on their faces, discuss the latest developments. JUDAS ISCARIOT stands aside.
CAIAPHAS
We have to do something about the rebels. The fire must be extinguished before it flames up.
RABBI ANNA
I've been thinking about it, and I have a good idea. (loudly) Judas, come here.
JUDAS ISCARIOT (30) approaches Caiaphas.
RABBI ANNA
(in a low voice) He's our trustworthy man. His name is JUDAS ISCARIOT. He's smart and educated enough, just like that imposter. He is well versed in the Scripture, law. We'll send him to Yeshu. He'll follow Yeshu and do the same. For the time being at least.
CAIAPHAS
Is that a good idea! We need to know everything about his intentions, and if he plans anything wrong again, we can neutralize the rebel in time.
JUDAS ISCARIOT
Dear teacher, I am well aware of the danger of these rebels. The bloodshed and rebellion must never be allowed to happen again. I am ready to serve sincerely for the good of my homeland and save it from the rebellious mob. I see this mission as an honor and a personal civic duty to my country.
CAIAPHAS
I believe you and see in you a true patriot. Proceed with caution, try to delicately, unobtrusively talk some sense into him and perhaps put this lost sheep on the right path, on our side. Only the three of us will know about this mission.
God be with you!
Judas bows respectfully and backs-out to leave Caiaphas' chambers.
SUBTITLE: ===== 3792 anno mundi = = = = = 32 A.D. =====
43. EXT. GROVE - DAYTIME
(YESHU, ANDREW, PETER, JOHN, JACOB, MARY, MARTHA, PILGRIMS)
Yeshu, Andrew, Peter, John, Jacob, etc. are sitting in the meadow.
YESHU
There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day and drank expensive wines. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
The rich man and the beggar Lazarus died.
The rich man went to hell, and Lazarus went to heaven.
The rich man cried out: Good Lord! Have mercy on me. Why do I have to suffer like this?
PETER
Are we also living like beggars like this beggar Lazarus and will we also go to Heaven?
YESHU
(continues) God says to the rich man, "You have eaten sweetly all your life, and slept much, and have not cared for the sufferings of men." So now reap the fruits of what you have sown.
44. INT. HEROD'S PALACE - EVENING. ALL THE HIGH SOCIETY OF ISRAEL:
HEROD WITH HIS WIFE, PONTIUS PILATE, THE HIGH PRIEST CAIAPHAS, RABBI ANNA, RICH YOUNG MAN WITH FRIENDS, MAIDS, NEGROES, DANCERS.
Huge hall with fountains is decorated with luxury, exotic carpets, flowers, tables groan with all kinds of food.
Golden exotic fish swim in the pool nearby.
Herod speaks respectfully to Pontius Pilate, words unintelligible.
Herod's wife is dressed in luxurious, translucent fabrics and conversing ceremoniously, smiling with Caiaphas and Anna, words are not heard…
Rich young man (21 years old) and his friends are half sitting, half lying at the table.
Young man's face shows apathy and indifference.
Pretty maids and muscular, tanned mulattoes carry trays of snacks and jugs of wine.
Behind the scenes, oriental music is played and half-naked dancers perform oriental belly dancing. Music: Hakim Belly Dancing Shik Arabik, (Google it).
FRIEND NO. 1.
Dear, look at these charming dancers!
RICH MAN
(phlegmatically) Charming? I haven't been charmed by anything in a long time. I don't know what else I want anymore.
Everything gets boring somehow quickly.
FRIEND NO.2.
Well, that's what Virgil said…. (phrase break).
FRIEND No. 3 approaches.
RICH MAN
Hi. I have not seen you in a while. Finally. Have a drink with us. Tell us something new.
FRIEND NO. 2.
Thank you. Friends, good to see you all. I've got some news. Have you heard of Yeshu?
FRIEND NO. 1.
Is this the magician who heals, works miracles, and curses the scribes and the Pharisees?
FRIEND NO. 2.
That's the one. Well, he's not far from us. He preaches to vagrants and beggars about the nearby Last Judgment and the Kingdom of God. Teaching how to be happy.
RICH YOUNG MAN.
(enthusiastically) What's that you are saying? He teaches how to be happy? This is interesting. Well now, I want to meet him. (imperiously) Tell them to saddle the horses. We are going!
The group of friends rises, leaves the reception and leaves the palace.
45. EXT. NEAR THE PALACE - EVENING
(RICH MAN AND HIS FRIENDS)
The rich man and his friends ride out from the palace in expensive jewelry and gallop away in search of Yeshu. Against the background of the beauty of nature and the setting sun, the song by Christophe Ma; - Il est o; le bonheur (Where are you Happiness?) is played (Google it).
46. EXT. GROVE - EVENING
(YESHU, ANDREW, PETER, JOHN, JACOB, JUDAS, MARTHA, MARY, RICH MAN WITH FRIENDS, PILGRIMS)
Beautiful evening, charming sunset. Yeshu, Andrew, Peter, John, Jacob, and other pilgrims are sitting and listening to Yeshu.
YESHU
It is difficult for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. It's easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye...
Wearing expensive jewelry, the rich man and his friends ride up to Yeshu on horses.
GUEST NO. 3
Here he is.
The rich man gets off his horse and heads towards Yeshu.
His entourage follows him a little away.
Andrew, Peter, John, Jacob are looking at the Rich Man.
RICH MAN
(addressing Yeshu) My good sir, people say that you can work miracles, heal the sick, teach how to live a good life and make people happy.
Yeshu looks at the Rich Man, examining him from head to toe.
A massive gold chain, expensive clothes, sandals decorated with stones.
YESHU
Yes, this is true. My name is Yeshu, and I heal people not only bodily, but also spiritually. I teach how to find eternal life and become happy.
RICH MAN
(eagerly) I'm very interested in that. Yeshu, teach me how to be happy. I have a lot of money and I can buy anything I want.
YESHU
Money won't help you with that. Observe the commandments of the Bible: Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, thou shalt honor thy father and mother, and thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
RICH MAN
I observe all of that. What else do I need?
EYE TO EYE: Yeshu – Rich Man.
YESHU
Go sell your belongings and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, and come be my follower.
No one pays attention to the Rich Man. The disciples are looking at Yeshu.
The Rich Man turns around and, pondering, confused, walks to the horses.
FRIEND NO. 1.
What did he say to you?
The Rich Man waves his hand and mounts his horse.
RICH MAN.
He is really a prophet.
To his servant: Give him money. Let him pray for me.
The disciples are looking at Yeshu. Yeshu says something to the disciples. But we can't hear a word. The servant approaches Yeshu and throws him a purse containing money.
Yeshu, against the background of a beautiful sunset, beautiful view of nature, sings the song: The national team of the USSR. And Even if You're Healthy. ("Сборная союза. И если даже ты здоров." google it)
YESHU
And even if you're healthy,
None of us is going to live forever.
Let us say more kind words
when we meet each other.
Let us remember kindly,
of our friends who are not with us,
Who have found their home
With the Lord behind the clouds.
There is nothing permanent under the moon,
Look at the bigger picture,
We all pass away,
And dissolve into the ether.
You can't take money to heaven,
There's no silver nether gold there.
There's no money to get you into Heaven,
There's no corruption, guys.
CHORUS:
Look how beautiful the Earth is,
What a beautiful planet this is,
Where you and I live,
Where our children live.
For God's sake, and for love's sake, the story takes place - story of life,
Live for your loved ones, for life and for the Fatherland.
For God's sake, and for love's sake, the story takes place - story of life,
Live for your loved ones, for life and for the Fatherland,
And for Fatherland's sake.
And even if you're rich,
you cannot buy immortality for yourself,
The road to paradise, the road to hell,
You'll get what you deserve.
Do not be proud of your wealth,
Wealth does not save the soul,
You better pray to God,
And listen to the voice of reason!
There is nothing permanent under the moon,
Look at the bigger picture,
We all pass away,
And dissolve into the ether.
You can't take money to heaven,
There's no silver nether gold there.
There's no money to get you into Heaven,
There's no corruption, guys.
CHORUS:
Look how beautiful the Earth is,
What a beautiful planet this is,
Where you and I live,
Where our children live.
For God's sake, and for love's sake, the story takes place - story of life,
Live for your loved ones, for life and for the Fatherland.
For God's sake, and for love's sake, the story takes place - story of life,
Live for your loved ones, for life and for the Fatherland,
And for Fatherland's sake.
47. INT. A HUMBLE HUT – EVENING. YESHU, THE APOSTLES, JUDAS, MARY, MARTHA.
Yeshu with the apostles, Judas, Martha, and Mary are sitting at the table cross-legged. There's wine, bread, and cheap food on the table.
Yeshu preaches. Everybody drinks wine, eats, and listens carefully.
YESHU
The Kingdom of God is at hand! No sooner have you gone around the cities of Israel than the Messiah comes.
But the kingdom of God will not come in a visible way, neither will they say to you: behold, it is here, or it is there. For the Kingdom of God is within you.
JUDAS ISCARIOT
Dear teacher, but the prophets said quite differently:
Firstly, they taught that no one knows when the Kingdom of God comes, and you promise us the kingdom, Paradise, in, a year or two.
And secondly, the prophets taught that it will be very noticeable: they will beat swords into ploughshares and will no longer fight, that is, general disarmament will take place, wars will cease. Wouldn't that be visible to everyone?
MARTHA.
(irritated) Judas, you are always picking on words and asking provocative questions. Shut your mouth.
Yeshu heals the sick, resurrects the dead, he is our Lord, Savior and Christ, and you only know how to talk and play smart.
JUDAS ISCARIOT
(in a playful manner) Okay, okay. Shutting up. A woman's wish is a law for a gentleman.
48. EXT. NEAR THE HUT – EVENING. YESHU'S MOTHER, YESHU'S BROTHERS, PETER.
Yeshu's mother and brothers walk up to the hut and knock on the door. Peter opens the door.
MIRYAM.
Sorry to bother you, good people said my son was here.
I and his brothers would like to talk to him. This is very important.
Peter nods, says "Just a moment" and walks inside the hut.
49. INT. A HUMBLE HUT – EVENING. YESHU, THE APOSTLES, JUDAS, MARY, MARTHA.
Peter approaches the table and speaks to Yeshu.
PETER.
Rabbi, your mother and your brothers are here. They really want to talk to you and say it's important.
Yeshu stares at Peter.
YESHU.
You said my mother and my brothers are standing there?
Are you serious about this? They think I'm a bastard and insane and they want to turn me in.
They're not my family and brothers.
You are my family and my brothers!
He who believes in me is my brother and friend. Remember, your neighbors are your enemies.
If anyone comes to me, and doesn't disregard his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, and his own life also, he can't be my disciple.
DISCIPLE
Teacher, my father died. Let me go bury him.
YESHU.
Forget your father. He is not worth it. Let the dead bury the dead. (Matthew 8.21)
JUDAS ISCARIOT
Teacher, but the Law of Moses requires: Honor your father and your mother...
MARY (throws a small pillow at Judah)
Once again, this nerdy Judas comes forward. Shut his mouth. Let's have some fun! I want to sing and dance.
Mary and Martha are dancing and singing the Abba song Take A Chance on Me (Google it).
50. EXT. NEAR THE HUT – EVENING. YESHU'S MOTHER, YESHU'S BROTHERS, PETER.
Peter opens the door and says, "I'm sorry, but he's very busy."
Mother Miryam and Yeshu's brothers, depressed, shocked by the rejection, walk away to the music of ABBA.
51. EXT. JERUSALEM. TEMPLE - DAYTIME
(YESHU, ANDREW, PETER, JOHN, JACOB, DISCIPLES, JUDAS ISCARIOT, PARISHIONERS, RABBIS)
Yeshu is standing in the temple. The disciples stand in a semi-circle next to him. The parishioners are gathered around them.
YESHU
(confidently) I am the light of the world. He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall find the truth. And the truth will set you free
A MAN FROM THE CROWD
It's Yeshu. He has healed many people, resurrected the daughter of Rabbi Jairus.
He is known to many. This is the true Savior, Christ!
YESHU
Yes. All this I have done and I have also done many other miracles.
So God is in me and I am in God!
What I say to you is what God Himself says through my mouth. I am the One from the beginning, God! Listen to me and obey me, and then you will cleanse your hearts of sins.
I am your Savior, the Messenger of God!
RABBI NO. 1
Yeshu, come to your senses! Think about what you're saying. How can you identify with God? It's a terrible blasphemy.
JUDAS ISCARIOT
Teacher, Dear, everyone recognizes you as a healer, but to claim that you and God are too much.
I guess you wanted to say something else, in other words?
RABBI NO. 2
What other words could there be?
Our law, the first commandment of Moses, is very clear: believe in one God! You must not have any other gods! And here comes another God. It's not one God anymore, it's two Gods. It's a heresy of idolatry! Do you think Moses was wrong? The devil's gotten into him!
YESHU
I know Moses, and I keep his commandments. My judgment is true, because the Father has sent me to judge you.
And you rabbis do not honor God, you are bathed in luxury, you have sold out to the Romans and therefore all your words are false. I know God, and you don't know God! I am from the higher powers, and you are from the lower ones! You are of this world, and I am not of this world. Your father is the devil!
There is grumbling, indignation among the congregation...
RABBI NO. 3
He has the nerve to insult us and slander us.
He's an imposter! Don't listen to him!
He deserves to be punished!
YESHU
There's no demon in me. I honor my Father, and you dishonor me and want to kill me. I'm not looking for my glory, though. Verily, I say unto you, if a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
RABBI NO. 1.
Now we know you have a demon in you. WHO do you think you are?
YESHU
(enthusiastically) Verily, verily, I say to you, before Abraham came into existence , I HAVE BEEN.
VOICES OF PARISHIONERS.
He's insane! Blasphemer!
He thinks he's older than Abraham!
Is he over 1,000 years old?
Get him! Get him out of the temple! Get out of the temple!
OFF CAMERA: crowd noise.
Yeshu steps back and runs out of the temple. The disciples follow Yeshu.
The parishioners throw stones at Yeshu. The disciples cover Yeshu from the stones. The rocks are flying into the backs of the disciples.
52. EXT. MOUNT OLIVET - DAYTIME
(YESHU, ANDREW, PETER, JOHN, JACOB, JUDAS ISCARIOT, DISCIPLES)
Yeshu preaches. Everybody's listening to him carefully.
YESHU
The days will come in which not a stone upon a stone will be left here that will not be thrown down.
JUDAS ISCARIOT
Teacher! When will all of this take place? And what is the sign when this is supposed to happen?
YESHU
Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
JOHN
When is the end?
YESHU
Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
And Jerusalem shall be trampled upon by the Gentiles.
Yeshu sings Leonard Cohen's song. First, We Take Manhattan (google it).
The lyrics of the song are changed to suit the time and situation:
Instead of "First, we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin" the lyrics say "First, we take Jerusalem, then we take Rome".
The song is accompanied by a historic reconstruction of the horrors of wars, catastrophes, human suffering and calamities.
HISTORICAL RENOVATION:
Roman legionnaires break into Jerusalem and rob the city. The city is on fire.
SONG
They sentenced me to twenty years of boredom
For trying to change the system from within
I'm coming now I'm coming to reward them
First, we take Jerusalem, then we take Rome
Jerusalem aflame. There are ruins in the place of Jerusalem.
SONG
I'm guided by a signal in the heavens
I'm guided by this birthmark on my skin
I'm guided by the beauty of our weapons
First, we take Jerusalem, then we take Rome
Roman legionnaires break into Rome and rob the city. The ruins of Rome.
SONG
I'd really like to live beside you, baby
I love your body and your spirit and your clothes
But you see that line there moving through the station?
I told you I told you I told you I was one of those
Crusades, The Burning of Witches, Giordano Bruno, The Burning of the Jews in Augsburg in 1348.
SONG
You loved me as a loser
But now you're worried that I just might win
You know the way to stop me
But you don't have the discipline
How many nights I prayed for this: to let my work begin
First, we take Jerusalem, then we take Rome
Military chronicle. Gas attacks and torment of people during the First World War.
SONG
I don't like your fashion business, mister
And I don't like these drugs that keep you thin
I don't like what happened to my sister
First, we take Jerusalem, then we take Rome
Military chronicle. Bombardment of cities by German aviation during the Second World War.
SONG
And thank you for those items that you sent me
The monkey and the plywood violin
I practiced every night and now I'm ready
First, we take Jerusalem, then we take Rome
Military chronicle. Atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Atomic cloud grows on the territory of the city.
SONG
Remember me, I used to live for music
Remember me, I brought your groceries in
It's Father's Day and everybody's wounded
First, we take Jerusalem, then we take Rome
9/11/2001 terrorists' attack, the smashing of the WTC towers in New York.
SUBTITLE: ===== 3793 anno mundi = = = = = 33 A.D. =====
53. EXT. SEA OF GALILEE - DAYTIME
(YESHU, ANDREW, PETER, JOHN, JUDAS ISCARIOT, JACOB, DISCIPLES, MESSENGER OF MARY)
A few miserable huts stand by the lake. Yeshu comes out of the cabin. The messenger of Mary approaches him.
YESHU
(concerned) Hello. I saw you at Martha and Mary's house. Did something happen?
MARY'S MESSENGER
Mary and Martha sent me to tell you that the man you love is sick.
YESHU
(sadly) Lazarus.
Andrew and Peter come out of the hut. Yeshu approaches them.
YESHU
(firmly) Lazarus is sick. I have to save him. We're going back to Judea.
PETER
Rabbi, do you remember when the Jews stoned us and threw us out of the temple not long ago, and you are going there again? It's very dangerous. They'll beat us again.
Other disciples approach them.
JUDAS ISCARIOT
Peter's right. Really Rabbi, why? It's very risky.
YESHU
Lazarus, our friend, is sick, and I must cure him.
54. EXT. BETHANY - MORNING
(YESHU, ANDREW, PETER, JOHN, JUDAS ISCARIOT, JACOB, DISCIPLES, MARY)
Yeshu and his disciples enter Bethany and walk to the Mary and Martha's house. Martha is coming to meet them. Yeshu and Martha are hugging.
MARTHA
Lazarus died and has been in the coffin for four days. Lord, if you had come sooner, Lazarus would not have died.
YESHU
Don't worry. Your brother will rise, Martha. I am the resurrection and the life . He that exercises faith in me , even though he dies , will come to life. Everyone that is living and exercises faith in me will never die at all. Do you believe that?
MARTHA
Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
Mary comes out of the house to meet Yeshu. Many Jews surround Yeshu. Mary throws herself on Yeshu's chest.
MARY
Good Lord! Lord , if you had been here my brother would not have died.
Yeshu looks at the Jews standing with Mary.
YESHU
(with sympathy) Don't worry.
Lazarus will not die. Everything will be fine. Where did you put him?
JEW NO. 1
Come and see.
CLOSE-UP: Yeshu's face. Yeshu has tears in his eyes.
JEW NO. 2
Look how he's suffering. He loved him.
JEW NO. 1
This Yeshu has healed many and raised many. He's a miracle worker. He will resurrect Lazarus, too.
55. EXT. NEAR THE CAVE - DAYTIME
(YESHU, ANDREW, PETER, JOHN, JUDAS ISCARIOT, JACOB, DISCIPLES, MARY, MARTHA, LAZARUS, THE JEWS)
Yeshu, Martha, Mary, the disciples, and the Jews approach the cave, the entrance of which is blocked with a stone. The Jews roll the stone away from the cave.
MARTHA
Lord, by now he must smell , for he has been in the tomb for four days.
YESHU
Don't worry. Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
MARTHA
Forgive me, Lord! I truly do.
YESHU
Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. (shouts) Lazarus! Wake up! Get up! Come out!
Everyone is looking at the entrance to the cave.
YESHU
(repeats more loudly). Father! May your will be done! May your name be honored! Help cure Lazarus! Lazarus! Wake up! Get up! Come out!
Silence.
A slight movement is heard from the cave.
The movement gets louder.
LAZARUS (40) comes out of the cave, staggering. He's all wrapped up in a funeral swaddle, his face tied up in a handkerchief.
FRIGHTENED CRIES IN THE CROWD
(frightened) Oh… Ahhh…
MARTHA
(gasps frightenedly) Ahhh
Martha faints and falls into the arms of a Jewish man standing nearby.
YESHU
Go help him. Untie him, let him walk.
Mary and a few Jews rush to Lazarus and begin to untie him.
Some Jews kneel before Yeshu.
CRIES IN THE CROWD
(surprised) Miracle! ... He is the Son of God!
He is Christ, our Savior! King of Judea! Long live Christ, our Savior and King of Judea!
The people are beginning to rejoice and dance.
A song from the rock opera "Jesus Christ – Superstar" 1970 Superstar Tim Minchin Jesus Christ, Google it.
Judas and all the others are singing, the words are slightly changed.
Judas in the song tries to dissuade everyone from rebellion, and marching on Jerusalem.
Yeshu is standing and preaching.
YESHU
(exclaims) Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
The disciples are looking at Yeshu. He is saying something, but the people around are joyful and words are not heard.
YESHU
Now it;s time. Sell your cloak and buy a sword. We're gonna need them.
Think not that I have come to bring peace to the earth: I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
DISCIPLES
Long live Yeshu, our King and God! Down with the bloodthirsty Romans! Our torment will come to an end! Freedom for Israel!
Excited cries from the crowd. The disciples are looking at Yeshu.
YESHU
Our time has come! But those of mine enemies, which blasphemed and cast me and you out, and would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
Andrew, John, and Simon Zelotes are standing facing Yeshu.
YESHU
And also find a young donkey, untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you: What are you doing? – answer, that the Lord needs it. Let the prophecy of Zechariah be fulfilled; "Rejoice Judea! Rejoice Jerusalem! Your king is coming riding on a donkey!"
TITLES:
Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion, shout out aloud, daughter of Jerusalem: Your king is coming to you, riding on a donkey"
Source: Zechariah 9:9
56. EXT. VILLAGE NEAR JERUSALEM - SATURDAY EVENING
(ANDREW, JOHN, SIMON ZELOTES, JEWS)
Andrew and John are untying the donkey. There are some Jews near them.
JEW NO. 1
What are you doing? It's not your donkey.
JEW NO. 2
Why are you untying the colt?
Several Jews stand so as to block the way.
SIMON ZELOTES
(confidently) Calm down. Don't worry. The Lord himself needs it. It's a great honor for you. Be worthy of it! Be conscious! Don't act like an unconscious heathen.
A few amazed Jews stand blocking the way, but the three disciples of Yeshu push the Jews aside and move walk away with the colt.
57. EXT. NEAR THE MOUNT OLIVET, ROAD - DAYTIME
(YESHU, ANDREW, PETER, JOHN, JACOB, THOMAS, MARY, MARTHA, PILGRIMS, PEOPLE)
Yeshu is standing. The disciples, the people surround him.
Andrew and John bring the donkey.
The disciples put their garments on the donkey. Yeshu mounts the donkey and rides. The disciples bow to him. Yeshu is riding along the road.
Music Jerusalema Master KG is playing, google it.
The people, Yeshu, the disciples are dancing and moving towards Jerusalem.
The people cast throw palm branches before Yeshu.
58. EXT. NEAR JERUSALEM- DAYTIME
(YESHU, ANDREW, PETER, JOHN, JUDAS ISCARIOT, JACOB, THOMAS, DISCIPLES, PILGRIMS)
Crowds of pilgrims are approaching the temple.
CRIES IN THE CROWD
Yeshu is our Savior, our King! Down with the damn Romans! Long live the free Israel!
Several rabbis approach Yeshu.
RABBI No. 1.
Yeshu, stop, bring these madmen to reason. Don't let your disciples say that. These are calls for rebellion, revolt.
YESHU
So, I should tell them to shut up?
RABBI No. 2
(with hope) Yes. Tell them. Otherwise, there will be more bloodshed and innocent people will suffer. If you tell them, they'll listen to you.
YESHU
I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
The people keep moving towards the temple.
59. EXT. THE TEMPLE - DAYTIME
(YESHU, ANDREW, PETER, JOHN, BARABBAS WITH AN ACCOMPLICE, JACOB, THOMAS, DISCIPLES, MONEY CHANGERS, REBELS, TRADERS)
There are merchants' rows everywhere in the Temple. Shoppers walk between the rows. One place sells sheep. Nearby they sell oxen.
The noise of the crowd, the roar of the oxen and the bleating of the sheep can be heard.
CLOSE-UP: pigeon cages on one of the shelves.
Money-changers are sitting a little further.
Suddenly, people are running past the money-changers between the tables.
CRIES IN THE CROWD
(screeching) aah! Run for your lives... They're robbers!!! Rebels!!! Run!!! They're gonna start robbing everybody!
Following the fleeing men, Yeshu appears. He's got disciples behind him. Yeshu rushes to the table of the money-changers, overturns it, and immediately overturns the other table.
YESHU
(furious) My house is the house of prayer, what have you turned it into? You made it a trading house!
Yeshu knocks over another table.
YESHU
(furious) Greedy hustlers! You're only interested in money! Get out of here! My house is a house of prayer! I will not allow anyone to desecrate God's holy place! Get out of here!
A money-changer quickly picks up coins from the ground.
Yeshu rushes to him.
YESHU
(furious) Get out of here! Everybody out!
The money-changer backs up, then rushes off.
Andrew and John overturn the counters nearby.
A MONEY CHANGER (45) runs to the exit, but BARABBAS and his accomplice stop him in the way, and press him against the wall.
Merchants and pilgrims are running by. The Money Changer wants to run away, but Barabbas holds him tightly by the shoulder.
BARABBAS
(ominously) Don't move. Give it to me.
The money changer keeps his purse near his chest. Barabbas and his accomplice reach for the purse and try to take it. The money changer is holding the purse with both hands. Merchants and pilgrims run by.
Barabbas pulls the purse, but can't pull it out of Money Changer's hands. The Money Changer falls on his stomach, covering the purse with his body. Barabbas and his accomplice reach for the purse.
BARABBAS
(ominously) You seem to value money more than life.
Merchants and pilgrims are running by. The Money Changer lifts his head up.
Merchants and pilgrims run by. The Money Changer sees only their legs.
MONEY CHANGER
(desperately) Help! Thieves! Someone save me! Killers!
Barabbas pulls out a knife and stabs Money Changer in the neck, rips out the purse and runs away. The Money Changer is lying on the ground. A pool of blood spreads out beneath him.
60. EXT. NEAR THE TEMPLE - DAYTIME
(GUARDS, PILGRIMS, TRADERS)
There are crowds of pilgrims outside the temple.
A group of guards appears near the Temple. The guards walk through a crowd of people running out of the Temple.
The frame shows only the feet of the guards and the feet of the people rushing towards the exit.
VOICES IN THE CROWD OFF-CAMERA
(frightenedly) The rebels have taken over the temple! Help! Thieves!
CHIEF OF GUARDS OFF-CAMERA
(in a commanding tone.) Hurry up, hurry up. Don't spread out!
A squad of guards enters the Temple.
61. EXT. THE TEMPLE - DAYTIME
(YESHU, ANDREW, PETER, JOHN, JACOB, THOMAS, DISCIPLES, HIGH PRIEST CAIAPHAS, RABBI ANNA, RABBIS, GUARDS, REBELS)
The rebels are tipping over the counters. Yeshu overturns a counter and sees Caiaphas standing in front of him. Rabbi Anna, several rabbis and guards are standing behind Caiaphas.
EYE TO EYE: Yeshu – Caiaphas.
High Priest Caiaphas looks at Yeshu with a steady, "hypnotizing" gaze.
CAIAPHAS
(loudly) You are Yeshu, the instigator and seducer, deceiving people by saying you are the son of God and the Messiah.
Yeshu's lips are twitching.
YESHU
(stammering) You have sold out to the Romans and betrayed our faith! You have desecrated God's temple! This is my Father's house. Not a trading house. You turned the holy place into a dirty bazaar and a barn!
CAIAPHAS
(indignantly) Do you really think that you are the son of God and that you are allowed to riot in the holy temple? Bethink yourself! Isn't Moses' law against rebellion?
John overturns a counter, turns around and sees Yeshu standing in front of the High Priest Caiaphas. Caiaphas is saying something, Yeshu's lips are trembling.
A few rabbis go behind Yeshu's back.
CAIAPHAS
The rabbi of Nazareth told us all about you. We know everything about you. You're not the son of God. You're a bastard, a rebel and an imposter.
Yeshu has an indignant look on his face.
Suddenly, Peter, John, and other rebels rush from all sides to the rabbis standing behind Yeshu.
Karate style fights begin. Peter wields his staff in the Shaolin monks style.
Yeshu karate-chopping the rabbis closest to him. The rabbis are backing away. The guards appear.
CHIEF OF GUARDS
(in a commanding tone) There they are! Get the rebels! Seize the rioters!
JOHN
(screams) Teacher, run! We'll hold them off.
Yeshu rushes into an aisle between the counters. Peter and John keep fighting the guards in a karate style.
John turns around and sees Yeshu running away. John immediately rushes to the nearest guard.
Peter raises his head and sees a new squad of guards breaking through the crowd.
PETER
(screams) Help is coming! Let's get out!
The disciples scatter the guards, and rush off in the same direction that Yeshu ran off to.
Guards beat the backs of fleeing disciples with sticks.
Disciples run away from the guards.
Thomas tips a fruit counter. The fruit roll under the guards' feet, preventing them from running.
Running away from the guards, the disciples run past a sheep pen.
Andrew opens the pen and kicks the sheep out.
The sheep run out of the pen, and bar the guards from the way.
CHIEF OF GUARDS
Just you wait! You won't get away from us anyway! I'll run you to ground!
The chief waves his hand menacingly.
62. INT. SANHEDRIM TEMPLE - DAYTIME
(HIGH PRIEST CAIAPHAS, RABBI ANNA, RABBIS, ELDERS)
Rabbis and elders are sitting cross-legged in a semi-circle in the Temple and communicate vividly. We can't hear a word. Caiaphas comes out to the center.
CAIAPHAS.
Dear rabbis, again our land has suffered misfortune. The rebels rioted again, killing innocent people and causing great damage to the treasury. The rebels are led by the well-known Yeshu of Nazareth.
RABBI ANNA
Enough with tolerating the abuses from hooligans and bandits. It's time to bring them all to justice.
RABBI NO. 1
The Law of Moses strictly forbids all rebellion and revolt. Why do we tolerate these ungodly people?
RABBIS
No more patience! Arrest the gang! They must die!
CAIAPHAS.
I fully support the speakers, but unfortunately, the rebels are supported by all kinds of mobs. The rioters must be arrested as carefully as possible so as not to create a public outcry.
63. INT. A HALF-RUINED HUT – EVENING
(YESHU, ANDREW, PETER, JOHN, JACOB, THOMAS, DISCIPLES, JUDAS ISCARIOT, MARTHA, MARY)
Yeshu and the disciples are sitting at or reclining on the table. Many have been wounded in the rebellion. Martha and Mary carefully bandage the wounds, lubricate them with healing oils. We hear moaning and groaning.
JUDAS ISCARIOT.
Rabbi taught us to "judge the prophets according to their fruits." So what fruits do we have? Shall we sum up, as they say?
MARY.
Judas, shut up! It's already nauseating, and you twist the knife. If you don't shut up, I'll scratch your eyes out!
THOMAS.
Judas is right. We have been following the teacher for three years and are still waiting for the promised Kingdom of God.
But there is still no kingdom. What's next for us? We're all gonna get caught like rats. We must flee from Judea to distant lands where no one will find us.
PETER.
Judas, Thomas, come to your senses. You are saying unseemly things.
How can we doubt our Lord? Our Savior?
He has healed and saved dozens of people and you allow yourself to speak ill of him.
Yeshu enters and sees a depressing situation.
YESHU.
Why so gloomy? Why so down in the mouth? Or have I not warned you: the paths to the kingdom of God are hard and not everyone will be able to reach it?
PETER.
Lord, tell us when we reach the Kingdom of God. Many have doubts. Disappointments.
YESHU.
It's none of your business to know that.
God alone knows that.
Let's pour some wine, get some bread, drink and eat. In vino veritas, as the Greeks say: In wine, there is truth! Always do like that in memory of me.
Yeshu and the disciples drink wine, eat.
YESHU.
Remember, I must suffer, but God loved me and will give me - his beloved son as a sacrifice.
But it'll be three days before I'm resurrected.
Disciples who are tired and dizzy lay down for the night. Yeshu leaves.
64. EXT. GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE - NIGHT-TIME
(YESHU, GUARDS)
Yeshu secludes himself in the garden, kneels down.
YESHU.
(prays) My Father! If possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet , not as I will , but as you will. So be it! Everything is your will! I hear and obey!
Amen!
Yeshu sings a song by The Beatles. Let It Be. Google it.
Suddenly, guards appear from behind the trees in the darkness. Some of them are holding torches. The guards are approaching rapidly. Yeshu runs to the hut.
65. INT-EXT. A HALF-RUINED HUT - GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE – NIGHT-TIME
(YESHU, ANDREW, PETER, JOHN, JACOB, THOMAS, DISCIPLES, JUDAS ISCARIOT, MARTHA, MARY)
Yeshu runs into the hut, sees the disciples sleeping soundly and shouts.
YESHU.
Wake up lazybones! We're being surrounded! Get out now! Run!
Yeshu kicks the sleeping disciples, wanting to bring them to their senses faster. Disciples, intoxicated with wine, half asleep, gradually wake up, struggling to understand what is happening.
The guards approach the hut.
COMMANDER OF GUARDS
Surround the hut! Get them! Be careful. The bandits are armed!
Peter is the first to come to his senses, draws his sword and lunges at the guard.
PETER.
(bellicosely) Get out of here.
Several guards rush at Peter, Andrew and John. John and Andrew are running away. Others jump out the windows and also run in different directions.
Peter fights off the guards, hits one of them with the sword.
A helmet falls off the guard. A severed ear falls next to it. The guard grasps the wound.
THE GUARD
(screams) Aaah!
The guards are standing in a row, ready for a new attack. Peter makes a deft jump, turns over and hides in the bushes.
Yeshu comes even closer to the guards, stretches out his hands and sees Judas Iscariot standing next to them.
YESHU.
(surprised) Ah, that's what it is! Look who's there. An expected surprise! I knew you'd betray me.
JUDAS ISCARIOT.
I didn't betray anyone, but I did my civic duty. I tried to talk some sense into you, admonished you, warned you, but you and your crazy fanatics didn't want to give up your criminal designs. Now reap what you've sown. Take him away.
The guards twist Yeshu's hands and take him away.
66. EXT. NEAR THE TEMPLE - MORNING
(YESHU, PETER, GUARDS, RABBIS, SPECTATORS)
Several guards lead the shackled Yeshu down the street, keeping out the onlookers in the crowd. Peter follows them from afar.
VOICES FROM THE CROWD
They are coming! They are bringing the rebel and the sorcerer!
Peter sees the guards pushing away people from the crowd trying to get closer.
COMMANDER OF GUARDS
Spread out! Make way!
A man from the crowd squeezes closer.
MAN FROM THE CROWD
(with hatred) Blasphemer! Bandit! Your fanatics killed my brother! (spits at Yeshu)
The guards push the Man from the Crowd back.
A crowd gathers in front of the temple. Rabbis enter the temple.
Peter sees the guards bringing Yeshu to the temple. Heavy forged doors close.
67. INT. TEMPLE - DAYTIME
(YESHU, HIGH PRIEST CAIAPHAS, RABBI ANNA, RABBI OF NAZARETH, ACCUSERS, GUARDS, RABBIS, WITNESSES, SAMARITAN WOMAN)
Rabbi Anna and the other members of the Sanhedrim are sitting cross-legged in a semi-circle. High Priest Caiaphas is standing in the middle of the circle.
VOICES IN THE SANHEDRIM
He incited the people to rebellion ... he practiced witchcraft ... blasphemed ... He should have been brought to justice long ago.
RABBI
Let's hear what he has to say to the charges.
A MEMBER OF THE SANHEDRIN
He'll start criticizing respectable people and blaspheming again...
He assigns himself to the higher ones, and us to the lower ones... You see, he is the only one to know God...
The guards lead Yeshu into the hall and bring him to Caiaphas.
CAIAPHAS
Dear Rabbis. Yeshu of Nazareth, thirty-three years old, is accused of blasphemy, namely: calling himself Lord, Son of God, Christ, Messiah, blaspheming the Torah, substituting Moses, and also trying to seize power and become King of Judea.
The members of the Sanhedrin look at Yeshu examiningly.
CAIAPHAS
All of these acts, according to the Torah, are felony and punishable by death.
Caiaphas turns and looks at Yeshu.
CAIAPHAS
You're facing very serious charges. Do you understand the charges?
Yeshu, bowing his head, is silent.
CAIAPHAS
Then we will proceed to the prosecution's hearing and the questioning of witnesses.
The PROSECUTOR (40) enters the middle of the room
PROSECUTOR
For three years, this young man engaged in blasphemy, embarrassed the gullible people, and declared himself Lord.
Many rabbis and elders warned Yeshu, urged him to change his mind, exhorted him that to call himself Lord was an imposture and blasphemy, contrary to the commandments of Moses? Is it so? Do you admit that?
Yeshu, bowing his head, is silent.
PROSECUTOR.
Yeshu, knowest thou not that the first commandment of Moses saith, Believe in one God, that thou shalt have no other gods?
Yeshu, bowing his head, is silent. The first Witness comes to the middle of the hall
THE FIRST WITNESS
He also declared himself King of Judea.
When he came to Jerusalem on a donkey, he said, "Daughter of Zion, your King is coming, sitting on a colt, the foal of a donkey." Others were also shouting: Long live Yeshu, King of Judea! The rabbis urged him not to speak such words, but he would not listen.
PROSECUTOR.
Is the witness telling the truth? Did you call yourself King of Judea?
Yeshu, bowing his head, is silent. The second Witness comes to the middle of the hall
SECOND WITNESS
He also kept telling everyone for three years that he was the Son of God, that he was born of the Holy Spirit without blemish.
PROSECUTOR
(to the Second Witness) And you endured this blasphemy?
SECOND WITNESS
Of course not. We tried to talk some sense into him many times, but it was useless. We drove him out and stoned him, but he escaped us.
PROSECUTOR
Rabbi of Nazareth is here. Let’s hear what he has to say.
RABBI OF NAZARETH(60 years old)
I'm the Rabbi of Nazareth, and I can confirm that Yeshu is a bastard, born illegitimately. His father informed me personally more than 30 years ago. And he borrowed his birth from God from the Romans and made it up.
CAIAPHAS.
Yeshu, is that true? Why are you silent?
Yeshu is silent...
WITNESS
He also said: "I am giving you a new commandment , that you love one another ; just as I have loved you , that you also love one another"
High Priest Caiaphas looks at Yeshu in surprise.
CAIAPHAS
Is that a new commandment? Big surprise. Tell us more.
Yeshu is silent. The members of the Sanhedrin can barely contain their laughter. Some of them are laughing.
ANNA
Yeshu, don't you know that the commandment of love is not new? That it was given to us by Moses 1,000 years ago?
CAIAPHAS
It's only new to him.
For a regular Jew, it is very old, over 1,000 years old.
TITLES: "You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself" Leviticus 19:18
Yeshu is silent. The first Witness comes to the middle of the hall.
FIRST WITNESS
(pointing to Yeshu) He talked about love, and then vice versa: sell your cloak and buy swords. But those enemies of mine, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
PROSECUTOR
Yes. What a strange kind of love... Love, slay... So did you tell them to buy swords? Did you threaten with a beating? And why did you take the donkey from the poor peasant?
The prosecutor stands facing Yeshu.
PROSECUTOR
He told the respected rabbis - I am of the higher ones, you are of the lower ones. I am of God... you are not of God, your father is the devil.
Yeshu is silent. A rabbi comes to the middle.
The rabbi comes to Yeshu and spits at him with indignation. The Prosecutor holds the rabbi, preventing him from attacking Yeshu.
Caiaphas walks up to Yeshu.
CAIAPHAS
(to Yeshu) Why don't you answer anything? What, are all these people perjuring themselves against you?
Or are they telling the truth?
Yeshu is silent.
CAIAPHAS
(to Yeshu) I charge you with the living God, tell us, are you the Christ?
YESHU
You said it.
CAIAPHAS.
Was it me who said that? Didn't you say that?
Don't you try to get away with it! Tell the truth!
Call a witness – the Samaritan woman.
The Samaritan Woman approaches and looks straight into Yeshu's eyes.
SAMARITAN WOMAN.
Yeshu, shame on you. You told me at the well that you are the Christ, the Messiah. Didn't it happen?
Yeshu raises his head and says:
YESHU.
Yes. I am the Christ. I am the beloved Son of the living God, whom he sacrifices, but on the third day I will rise again!
A murmur rushes through the hall. Caiaphas tears his clothes in a rage.
CAIAPHAS
(indignantly) Blasphemy! He's a blasphemer! The true Christ is the one who will establish Heaven on the whole earth. Have you made Heaven on earth? Why would we need any more witnesses? Now you've all heard his blasphemy!
Members of the Sanhedrin jump up with a noise from their seats. Some of them are throwing themselves at Yeshu. Others are trying to hold them.
CRIES IN THE HALL
Away with him! Guilty of death! Unscrupulous impostor! He's insane!
Several members of the Sanhedrin are breaking through to Yeshu. The three guards and Caiaphas are trying to keep them away from Yeshu.
Anna grabs Yeshu by the ear and makes him kneel.
MEMBER OF THE SANHEDRIN NO. 1
Blasphemer! Damn you to hell!
Why did you urge people to buy guns? Why did you start a mutiny?
Yeshu, bowing his head, kneeling, is silent.
CRIES IN THE HALL
Away with him! Blasphemer must die! Away with the rebel! Away with the impostor!
Yeshu is silent. The guards pick up and take Yeshu away.
Caiaphas, Rabbi Anna and other members of the Sanhedrin are standing in a semicircle and singing "Mashiach" song by Turetsky Choir, Google it.
68. INT. PILATE'S RESIDENCE – DAYTIME
(PILATE, CAIAPHAS, ANNA, YESHU, GUARDS)
Pilate is sitting on the throne. Caiaphas, Anna are standing on either side. Yeshu stands silently in front of Pilate, with his head lowered. The guards are standing next to him.
CAIAPHAS
Dear prosecutor, we honor the Emperor and respect the authority given to him by God.
But this Yeshu, a blasphemer, impostor and rebel who calls himself Lord, Savior and with his gang has wrecked an insolent havoc in the Temple and deserves the most severe punishment - the death penalty for blasphemy and rebellion.
PILATE
Yes. I was informed of the riots that took place in Jerusalem.
People have been injured. The Temple, the people, the state treasury were heavily damaged.
There must be appropriate punishment for that, and that is entirely fair.
Pilate looks at Yeshu and asks him.
PILATE
Do you understand what you've done? Do you understand your guilt? Do you want to repent?
Admit your guilt and promise not to repeat the riots again?
Yeshu, bowing his head, is silent.
PILATE
That is strange. Difficult case…
But, as a Roman, I must report that we, in Roman law, have no punishment for calling a man the Lord, the Savior. It's not a crime.
It's not the rebel's fault, and that's why I wash my hands of it.
Send him to Herod. Let him decide
The guards are taking Yeshu away. Everyone leaves the hall.
69. INT. HEROD ANTIPAS' PALACE - DAYTIME
(HEROD ANTIPAS, YESHU, HIGH PRIEST CAIAPHAS, RABBI ANNA, WITNESSES, RABBIS, GUARDS, SERVANTS)
Herod Antipas is sitting on the throne. Yeshu is brought in, brought closer and placed in front of Antipas. Guards are standing behind Yeshu. The High Priest Caiaphas, the Rabbi Anna, and the rabbis are standing a little bit aside.
HEROD ANTIPAS
Finally, I see the famous healer and sorcerer. I've heard a lot about you. I've wanted to talk to you for a while. Do you really consider yourself the King of Judea? Did you say you are the King of Judea? Then who do you think I am?
YESHU
That's what you're saying. I didn't say that.
HEROD ANTIPAS
That is strange. (Speaking to Caiaphas) He says he didn't say that.
Do you have any witnesses?
CAIAPHAS
Of course. There are witnesses, and they are ready to confirm his words.
Caiaphas invites nearby witnesses – rabbis.
RABBI No. 1
(in chorus, interrupting each other) That's exactly what happened. He called himself the King of Judea when he entered Jerusalem. And many people cried out, saying: Blessed be the King of Israel!
RABBI No. 2
This is indeed what happened. We tried to talk sense into him, asking him to stop the outrage, but he ignored all our requests.
HEROD ANTIPAS
(speaking to Yeshu) Well, what do you say now? The witnesses speak against you. Are they lying or telling the truth?
Yeshu, bowing his head, looks at the floor and remains silent.
HEROD ANTIPAS
They say you intimidated people with the end of the world and demanded unconditional obedience to you. Is that true?
Yeshu is silent. Herod Antipas makes a surprised face.
HEROD ANTIPAS
I'd like to listen to you. Did you say: “All authority has been given to me on earth and in heaven”? How am I supposed to understand that? I, the King of Judea, have no such authority. But you do? Explain.
RABBI ANNA
He contrasted the Torah, Moses with his ideas. We have witnesses to corroborate what he said.
HEROD ANTIPAS
Is that true?
Yeshu is silent.
HEROD ANTIPAS
I wanted to talk to you for a long time. And here you are. But you either keep silent or you avoid a straight answer. (to the high priests) Okay, ask him your questions. I will listen.
CAIAPHAS
Did you say – I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me? What about Moses? Can you come to God without the teaching of Moses?
Yeshu is silent...
HEROD ANTIPAS
But you staged a riot which resulted in many innocent people being hurt and much damage to the temple and the citizens. Don't you know the Torah prohibits rebellion?
Yeshu is silent.
HEROD ANTIPAS
Continue.
CAIAPHAS
Did you blaspheme, insult respectable people? Did you say – "woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, serpents, sneaky offspring?"
Yeshu is silent.
CAIAPHAS
Did you threaten to beat up anyone who wouldn't obey you? Did you deny your mother and your brothers?
Herod Antipas rises from the throne and approaches Yeshu.
HEROD ANTIPAS
That's interesting. Even your own mother and brothers thought you were crazy?
And your fellow Nazarenes even expelled you from the synagogue and stoned you?
Yeshu is silent.
HEROD ANTIPAS
(enthusiastically) He is not a criminal. A simple madman who calls himself the Messiah, God. Why don't we give him 30 lashes and let him go?
CAIAPHAS
But, my lord...
HEROD ANTIPAS
Is he dangerous enough? Did he have many supporters?
CAIAPHAS
Yeah, he fooled a lot of people, but when we took him, they all scattered like cockroaches.
HEROD ANTIPAS
And then these vagrants will gather again and riot.
(to Yeshu) Do you admit your guilt?
Do you feel remorse?
Can you promise me you won't do any more lawlessness?
Yeshu is silent...
HEROD ANTIPAS
(raises his voice) Okay. You don’t want to talk? It's your business. Not only is he a rebel, he's also a stubborn man. If he thinks he's a king, then so be it. (laughs and turns to the servants) Dress him up in royal clothes and put a crown of thorns on him instead of the king's crown and send him back to Pilate.
The servants bring out the king's clothes and, laughing, put them on Yeshu.
A crown of thorns is put on Yeshu's head.
Caiaphas, Rabbi Anna and the rabbis look at Herod Antipas in surprise.
HEROD ANTIPAS
That's it. I agree with Pilate. Guilty of rebellion. Put him to death. You've all heard my decision.
Caiaphas turns around and walks away. He is followed by the Rabbi Anna and the rabbis. The guards are taking Yeshu away.
70. EXT. NEAR PONTIUS PILATE'S RESIDENCE - DAYTIME
(PONTIUS PILATE, SECRETARY, YESHU, CAIAPHAS, RABBI ANNA, BARABBAS, PETER, JOHN, MARY, RABBIS, CENTURION, LEGIONARIES, PEOPLE, MAID)
Pontius Pilate stands upstairs on the veranda. The SECRETARY (35), CENTURION (40) and Yeshu, guarded by two legionnaires, are standing next to Pontius Pilate.
There are several legionnaires at the foot of the stairs.
There is a crowd of people in the courtyard in front of the Residence. Anna, the high priest Caiaphas and other rabbis are standing in front. Peter, John, Mary can be seen in the crowd. The crowd is noisy. Pontius Pilate raises his hand. Rabbi Anna turns to the crowd. The crowd is quieting down
PONTIUS PILATE
Honorable men of Israel! Since Palestine was annexed to the Roman Empire, the lives of its citizens have undoubtedly improved: new cities, roads, housing for the poor, the needy and so on have been built. But there were insurgents who, for the sake of their ambitions, selfish goals, organized havoc, killed and robbed people, sought to seize power.
Two legionaries bring Barabbas to Pontius Pilate. Two more legionaries bring Yeshu to Pontius Pilate. Barabbas is standing to the right of Pontius Pilate, Yeshu is standing to the left.
PONTIUS PILATE
Now before you are two troublemakers who, on the Jewish holy day of Passover Feast, desecrated the temple. Yeshu and Barabbas.
The people are making a noise of discontent.
CRIES IN THE CROWD
Away with the rebels! Crucify! Crucify the rebels! To justice!
Pilate raises his hand up. The crowd quiets down
PONTIUS PILATE
Your indignation is just and justified, but today, in honor of the holiday, in accordance with your law and your traditions, we can pardon one of them.
Whom do you wish to pardon? Yeshu or Barabbas?
The people are making a noise of discontent.
CRIES IN THE CROWD
Let Barabbas go, Yeshu is the organizer and instigator of the rebellion.
Away with the rebel! Death to Yeshu! Crucify! Crucify the rebel!
CAIAPHAS
The people want Yeshu crucified and Barabbas released. We support that, too.
PONTIUS PILATE
(to Caiaphas) I agree. Barabbas is an ordinary robber and a murderer. Yeshu – as the organizer of the rebellion is more dangerous to society, and he must answer in law.
CAIAPHAS
That's absolutely right. Yeshu is much more dangerous than Barabbas!
CRIES IN THE CROWD
Crucify Yeshu! Crucify the leader! Crucify the rebel!
Caiaphas turns to the crowd. The crowd quiets down
Barabbas is surprised and perplexed.
PONTIUS PILATE
Guided by the opinion of the people, the law, as well as Jewish traditions, I release Barabbas.
CENTURION
(to legionnaires) Let him go.
Barabbas is grinning with enjoyment
Legionnaires remove the chains from Barabbas. Barabbas walks down the stairs.
PONTIUS PILATE
Guided by your decision, the Torah and the law, for the attempted coup and the rebellion that has brought so much grief to innocent people, I sentence Yeshu of Nazareth to death by crucifixion.
CRIES IN THE CROWD
Right! Serves him right!
Peter is squatting.
YELLING OFF CAMERA
Away with the rebel! Blasphemer must die!
The Maiden approaches Peter. She looks at Peter attentively.
MAIDEN
I’m sure I saw you with the Nazarene. You're from his gang…
Peter gets up. A few people nearby are looking at him.
PETER
No. That's not true, you're wrong.
Peter makes his way towards the exit from the courtyard.
He walks through the gate. People walk into the courtyard towards him.
The woman stares at Peter.
MAIDEN
(pointing to Peter) Look, he was with the Nazarene. It's his accomplice, a rebel!
A few people nearby are looking at Peter. A man makes his way to him.
PETER
(frightenedly) No, no, it wasn't me.
Peter quickly pushes his way out of the gate.
MAN
(with hostility) Hey, wait. Get the rebel.
Several men try to grab Peter, he pulls away.
PETER
(frightenedly) It wasn't me! It wasn't me!
Peter runs down the street and hides in the depths of the city.
71. EXT. GOLGOTHA - DAYTIME
(YESHU, TWO CRIMINALS, CENTURION, LEGIONARIES, MARFA, MARY, JOHN, PEOPLE)
There is a cordon of several legionnaires in front of the crosses. Two more legionnaires are standing at the cross with Yeshu. Both tall, strong.
John, Martha, Mary, people are watching the execution from the sidelines.
The cross with Yeshu is raised and placed between the crosses with the crucified criminals. There's a sign on Yeshu's chest: Yeshu of Nazareth – King of Judea.
CLOSE-UP: sign: Yeshu of Nazareth – King of Judea.
MAN FROM THE CROWD
(chuckles) You called yourself the Savior and promised to save us all. So prove it with your own example - save yourself now. (laughs)
Yeshu moves his lips silently.
CLOSE-UP: Yeshu's face.
YESHU
(screams heavily). Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Be merciful! Help me. Why have you forsaken me?
LEGIONNAIRE NO. 1
I think he's calling his god.
SECOND LEGIONNAIRE
(ironically) Wait. We'll see if god comes to save him or not.
YESHU
(repeats, screams heavily) Aaaaah!
Be merciful! Help me. Why have you forsaken me?
In the distance John, Martha, and Mary look at the crucified Yeshu.
YESHU
(screams heavily) Aaaaah!
Yeshu on the cross. His head falls lifeless.
72. EXT. GOLGOTHA - DAYTIME
(YESHU (CORPSE), PETER, JOHN, MARTHA, MARIA, LEGIONARIES, CENTURION, PEOPLE)
GOLGOTHA. Yeshu's body hangs on the cross. The head is lifelessly lowered. Legionnaires No. 1 and 2 are standing near the Cross.
Peter, with the help of several men and women, removes Yeshu's body from the cross.
PETER.
(worried) Careful. Don't be sad. He will rise on the third day, as he promised.
Down below, Yeshu's body is picked up and laid on a cloth spread out on the ground. Peter wraps the body in a shroud. Several men pick up the body and carry it. John, Peter, Mary, Martha, and several women follow them.
FEMALE VOICE OFF-CAMERA
(crying)
73. EXT. NEAR THE CAVE - DAYTIME
(YESHU (CORPSE), PETER, JOHN, THOMAS, SIMON, MARTHA, MARY, GAPERS)
A few men bring Yeshu's body into the cave, then walk out.
Peter and several men close the entrance to the cave with a stone.
Martha is sitting on the ground in front of the entrance to the cave. John looks at her.
JOHN
(softly) Shall we go? He will be resurrected in three days, as promised.
EYE TO EYE: Mary Magdalene – John
MARTHA
(firmly) Yes. I remember. He promised us. We'll be there in three days to see him.
Everyone leaves.
74. EXT. THE ROAD -DAYTIME (SIMON, THOMAS, YEHUDA).
Thomas and Simon are walking from the cave together. Yehuda happens to be nearby and overhears their conversation.
THOMAS
Simon, tell me honestly, do you really believe Yeshu will be resurrected in three days?
SIMON
If he said so, that's how it will be.
THOMAS
What if that doesn't happen? Then we'll all be embarrassed and ridiculed and made fools of.
SIMON
Do you doubt the words of the prophet? Shame on you. What are you suggesting?
THOMAS.
I suggest we steal the body and rebury it somewhere else.
If he is resurrected, he will be resurrected somewhere else. And if not resurrected, everyone will see that the corpse has disappeared and assume that it has risen and ascended.
CLOSE-UP. Yehuda's amazed face.
75. EXT. YEHUDA'S HOUSE - DAYTIME
(YEHUDA, YEHUDA'S SERVANTS)
Yehuda's three servants are squatting and eating cakes. Yehuda approaches.
YEHUDA
Don't go anywhere tonight. We have some work to do.
The servants are looking at Yehuda.
YEHUDA
I'll pay you in addition to what I usually pay you.
SERVANT NO. 1
How much will you pay us, Yehuda?
YEHUDA
Would thirty pieces of silver suit you? (servants nod) But you mustn't say anything to anyone.
76. EXT. NEAR THE CAVE - NIGHT-TIME (YEHUDA, SERVANTS)
Yehuda and the servants sneak up to the cave, move the stone, take Yeshu's corpse and take it away with them.
77. EXT. YEHUDA'S GARDEN - NIGHT-TIME (YEHUDA, SERVANTS)
The servants bring Yeshu's corpse, dig a pit, place the corpse in the hole and bury it. Yehuda settles with the servants.
YEHUDA
Here's 30 pieces of silver for the job, as agreed.
SERVANT
Thank you, sir. You're very generous.
Yehuda and the servants go quietly back to their homes.
78. EXT. NEAR THE CAVE - MORNING
(JOHN, PETER, ANDREW, MARTHA, MARY, THE APOSTLES)
Peter, Andrew, John, Mary, Martha, and other apostles approach the cave.
The stone lies aside. Peter enters the cave and, excited, immediately runs out.
PETER.
The cave is empty! There's no teacher in it!
John, Mary, Martha look into the cave. The cave is empty.
JOHN
(passionately) The prophecy has come true! Now we know for certain that Yeshu is the Son of God and the Messiah, and that he has risen and ascended to heaven to his Father.
ANDREW.
(angrily) The scribes killed the prophet! Let's take vengeance on the Jewish sages for his blood!
APOSTLES
(angrily) Let's revenge! ... Blood for blood! ... Let’s go straight away!
Angry, indignant Peter, Andrew, John, Mary, Martha and the other apostles walk towards the center of the town.
79. EXT. TEMPLE - DAYTIME
(CAIAPHAS, ANNA, CENTURION, LEGIONARIES, SERVANTS)
Centurion and two legionnaires quickly approach the temple. They are met by the Servant.
CENTURION
Go get High Priest Caiaphas at once!
The servant disappears. Caiaphas and Anna walk out.
CAIAPHAS
(anxiously) Did something happen?
CENTURION
Yeshu's body disappeared. He wasn't found in the cave.
Caiaphas and Anna look at each other.
LEGIONNAIRE NO. 1
The rebels claim that he has risen and ascended. They are revolting again, demanding the punishment of the guilty.
ANNA
Wait for us here. We need to talk about this.
Caiaphas and Anna hastily retire to the interior of the temple.
80. INT. HEROD'S PALACE - EVENING
(HEROD ANTIPAS, JOHN, PETER, APOSTLES, GUARDIANS, CAIAPHAS, ANNA, RABBIS, ELDERS)
Herod Antipas is sitting on the throne. the apostles are standing to the left of the throne. Caiaphas, Anna, the rabbis, the elders are standing to the right of the throne.
The apostles appeal with indignation to Herod Antipas.
JOHN
(passionately) Our King! The Son of God, who did miracles in his lifetime and revived the dead, now showed another sign, rising from his grave and ascending to heaven.
PETER.
Our teacher predicted that he would be crucified and resurrected on the third day. And what he had promised came to pass. And the scribes slew him, because they saw him as a false prophet. They killed the holy martyr, the Son of the Lord.
Herod Antipas looks at the high priests.
EYE TO EYE: Herod Antipas – Caiaphas.
HEROD ANTIPAS
What's that supposed to mean? You are guilty of the death of the Son of God!
CAIAPHAS
It's not true. There's some kind of misunderstanding here. This needs to be rechecked. Give us five days to find him.
PETER
(angrily) There's nothing to wait and everything is clear! Now, if it be your will, demand that they give you Yeshu dead or alive.
JOHN
But if they are unable to do so, punish them for their wrongdoing with the death penalty.
HEROD ANTIPAS
Full well. Let's not get excited. Let the elders prove their innocence. But you know what's waiting for you in five days. Go now.
The rabbis and elders walk away looking concerned. Yeshu's disciples, agitated with anger and curses, leave Herod's palace.
81. EXT. MARKET SQUARE - DAYTIME
(PETER, JOHN, APOSTLES, MERCHANTS, CROWD)
View of Jerusalem from above.
CAPTIONS, OFF-CAMERA ANNOUNCER
"And there was great trouble in Israel. And the fast was proclaimed, and all from the greatest to the least changed their garments for sackcloth. And tramps from Yeshu's gang had fun"
Source: Toledot Yeshu.
CAMERA ZOOM IN.
MARKET SQUARE. A jubilant crowd of apostles is walking between the rows of vendors.
JOHN
(excitedly)People, listen to the good news! The prophecy about Yeshu has come true! Our Lord and Savior has risen and ascended to heaven!
Peter turns to a merchant
PETER
Did you complain that our Lord hurt you? Did you yell to crucify him?
The merchant is helplessly silent and blinks his eyes fearfully.
The apostles overturn a counter with the merchandise, then another.
PETER
Pathetic hucksters and pushers. We were right! Yeshu was the true Lord, Christ! And the Jews mistook him for a false prophet, and you yelled: Crucify him!
Peter takes a jug of wine from the merchant and drinks from the jug.
PETER
Long live our Lord and His Teaching! Glory to the Messiah! Praise the Savior!
The apostles follow Peter's example and take wine from the merchants and drink it.
Peter hits his jug with force against the counter, the jug shatters.
JOHN
(excitedly) He said, I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
One of the apostles cuts through the counter with a sword.
APOSTLES
(excitedly) Death to the scribes and Pharisees!
The apostles move on. The merchants are scattering.
82. INT. TEMPLE - NIGHT-TIME
(CAIAPHAS, ANNA, RABBI TANHUMA, MEMBERS OF THE SANHEDRIN)
TITLES: "Four days later."
Caiaphas, Anna, Tanhuma (45) and other rabbis are praying.
Caiaphas speaks to all the members of the Sanhedrin.
CAIAPHAS
Yeshu's body is still missing.
Yeshu's followers are threatening to kill us.
For the sake of salvation, you must leave the city and get as far away as possible.
Growl among the rabbis. Rabbis and elders reluctantly walk to the exit.
Caiaphas and Anna stand still. Tanhuma approaches them.
TANHUMA
Aren't you coming?
CAIAPHAS
Someone has to stay here.
Tanhuma leaves. At the door he looks back at Caiaphas and Anna.
83. EXT. NEAR YEHUDA'S HOUSE - DAYTIME
(TANHUMA)
Tanhuma is walking along the road. He looks back. Jerusalem can be seen In the distance behind him.
CLOSE-UP: Tanhuma's face. Tanhuma is crying.
Tanhuma keeps walking. Yehuda's house can be seen up ahead. Tanhuma is heading for the house.
84. EXT. NEAR YEHUDA'S HOUSE - DAYTIME
(TANHUMA, YEHUDA)
Tanhuma enters the estate and sees Yehuda sitting on the bench near the house. There is a pitcher and a snack next to him.
Yehuda takes a big sip from the pitcher, turns his head, sees Tanhuma and smiles.
YEHUDA
Where are you going, stranger? Sit down with me, share a meal.
Tanhuma approaches Yehuda.
TANHUMA
All our people are fasting and mourning and anxious, while you feast, drink wine and break your fast. Why do you separate yourself from the people?
YEHUDA
What are you talking about? What was the reason for the fast?
Tanhuma sits next to Yehuda.
TANHUMA
Don't you know? Terrible things are happening in Jerusalem today…
The body of the rebel leader was not found in the grave, and the rebels announced that he had risen and ascended to heaven. As he had promised.
It turns out that we, the Rabbis of the Sanhedrin, crucified the Lord, the holy martyr, and must answer for this with our lives.
CUT
Yehuda looks at Tanhuma.
YEHUDA
(gets up) Come on. I have good news for you. I'll show you Yeshu's body. You've got to see for yourself.
Yehuda and Tanhuma enter the garden. Yehuda takes a shovel sticking out of the ground and starts digging.
Tanhuma comes closer and looks into the pit. A head wrapped in a shroud is sticking out of the ground.
Tanhuma goes down into the pit and unfolds the shroud. It's Yeshu's head. Tanhuma happily jumps out of the pit and runs to the temple.
85. EXT. TEMPLE - DAYTIME
(TANHUMA, CAIAPHAS, ANNA, RABBIS, ELDERS)
Tanhuma runs into the temple.
CLOSE-UP: Tanhuma's face. Tanhuma is joyfully excited.
TANHUMA
(shouting) I must proclaim the good news. We're saved! Comfort our people! I found the body of Yeshu the impostor!
86. EXT. YEHUDA'S HOUSE - DAYTIME
(YEHUDA, TANHUMA, CAIAPHAS, ANNA, RABBIS, SERVANTS)
Caiaphas, Tanhuma, Anna, Yehuda are standing near a pit in which a half-excavated corpse is visible.
CAIAPHAS
Give it to us.
YEHUDA
I will. Just pay me thirty pieces of silver for it.
CAIAPHAS
You saved us from the imminent doom. My gratitude will be much greater.
YEHUDA
(firmly) Don't need any more. I paid the servants thirty pieces of silver for their work. I don't give you the corpse for money. I give you the corpse for justice.
Caiaphas looks at Yehuda with gratitude.
87. EXT. NEAR HEROD'S RESIDENCE - DAYTIME
(CAIAPHAS, ANNA, TANHUMA, HEROD ANTIPAS, RABBIS, GUARDIANS, PEOPLE)
Caiaphas, Anna, Tanhuma, and the rabbis are standing at the entrance to the palace. There's a big bag at Caiaphas' feet.
Herod Antipas walks out. He's got some guards behind him.
Herod Antipas approaches Caiaphas. Caiaphas opens the bag. Yeshu's head is showing.
CAIAPHAS
Look, everybody, it's Yeshu's corpse.
Here is the one the scoundrels say he has ascended to heaven.
HEROD ANTIPAS
They were so convincing. I almost believed them.
ANNA
Our king! Command to bring the scoundrels from Yeshu's gang to justice, just as you brought their leader to justice!
HEROD ANTIPAS
Do what you will to them.
The rabbis, the people, satisfied, with happy expressions on their faces, discussing the good news, disperse in different directions.
88. HISTORIC RE-ENACTMENT
CAPTIONS, OFF-CAMERA ANNOUNCER
"And the sages killed many of those villains, and the survivors fled to different countries and began to convert the Goys (non-Hebrews) to their faith there. Yeshu had twelve disciples. Three of them fled to the Ararat Mountains, three to Armenia, three to Rome and three to countries off the Mediterranean.
A map is shown in the frame. It shows where the apostles went from Judea.
CAPTIONS, OFF-CAMERA ANNOUNCER
And they led people astray, and many of people rebelled against them and fought against them. And in the turmoil that arose the brother killed the brother, and the neighbor killed the neighbor, and the great damage was suffered by both belligerents."
Source: Toledot Yeshu
The crucifixion and execution of the twelve apostles is shown.
89. 21st century. Interview of the Chief Rabbi of Russia about Jesus and the Messiah. Search on YouTube "Chief Rabbi of Russia Burl Lazar about the Messiah" (6.06.2011=1.01 min.).
90. 21st century. Rabbi's interview at the wailing wall about Jesus.
Search on YouTube for Rabbi Gutman Locks about Mashiach, the Messiah. Why don't the Jews recognize Jesus as the Messiah? (16.12.2013=7.55 min.)
"Toledot Yeshu - the Life of Jesus".
Genre: Genre: historical drama, musical film.
Format: feature film, 110 pages
Reference: "The Passion of Christ", "Jesus Christ Superstar", "The Last Temptation of Christ"
Features of the production: In the movie, Yeshu and other participants dance and perform popular worldwide hits. Many fights are shown in karate style.
Logline
A Jewish young man Yeshu, believing in his divine origin, declares himself to be the son of God, the Messiah, the Christ, the Lord, and fights for the liberation of Judea from Roman domination. However, the religious elders of Judea see Yeshu as an impostor, a rebel and a blasphemer, attacking the basic tenets of Judaism. This is the first motion picture presenting a Judeo-atheistic version of Jesus' life that does not accept five Christian tenets: deification of Jesus, Jesus' messianism, the Immaculate Conception, the Resurrection, and the Ascension.
Screenplay Synopsis
Judea is shaken by revolts against Roman domination.
Yosef and his wife Miriam give birth to a baby boy, Yeshu. In fact, the child's father is their neighbor. Yosef learns about it and leaves the house forever.
Fom childhood, Yeshu has extraordinary abilities, heals people and witnesses the suppression of two anti-Roman uprisings. By chance he meets a Hellen who tells him about people with extraordinary abilities whom the Hellenes deified, called Gods, who were born blameless of God.
Eager to rid himself of the eternal stigma of "bastard" (illegitimate child), Yeshu convinces himself that he was born by immaculate conception and is the son of God. His family and countrymen think he is crazy, so after a conflict with his family and countrymen, Yeshu leaves home and wanders around Palestine for several years. He receives baptism from John the Baptist and starts healing the sick - a lame man, a blind man and a leper. In the Sermon on the Mount, Yeshu sets out the basic tenets of his teaching, declaring himself Lord and Messiah.
This runs counter to Moses' commandments and provokes protest among the rabbis. Yeshu arrives in his hometown of Nazareth, the townsfolk listen to him at first, but then run him off for blasphemy. Together with his followers, Yeshu arranges a rebellion against the power of the Romans. As a result of the clashes, Yeshu is captured and imprisoned, but his supporters release him. The elders decide to excommunicate anyone who recognises Yeshu as Christ and Messiah. At the same time, Judas Iscariot is instructed to become one of the disciples of the newly appeared Messiah, infiltrate the group of his supporters, monitor and inform about all actions and plans of this dangerous, extremist group.
After Yeshu resurrects Lazarus, more people deify him and Yeshu decides to rebel again against the Romans, but the rebellion is unsuccessful. Yeshu with the apostles takes refuge in the Garden of Gethsemane, where he is arrested. At the Sanhedrin trial, Pilate trial and Herod trial Yeshu is silent and does not refute the charges against him of organizing a rebellion and violating the commandments of Moses. Yeshu is sentenced to death and crucified.
Yeshu's followers expect the resurrection of their God, so the two apostles decide to steal the body of their Master from the burial and thus show that he has been resurrected, as he had repeatedly predicted during his lifetime.
However, the conversation of the apostles is accidentally overheard by Yehuda the Gardener. Wishing to foil the fraudulent scheme, he and his servants steal the body and bury it in his garden.
A crowd of Yeshu's followers, arriving at the burial site, see that the body is gone and perceive it as the resurrection and ascension, just as Yeshu had foretold.
However, Yehuda the Gardener tells everyone that he has hidden Yeshu's body. Yehuda refuses the money, asking only to reimburse him thirty pieces of silver paid to the servants for help in reburying the body.
Persecution of Yeshu's followers starts in Judea, and they scatter across the empire. After a while, all the apostles are tried as socially dangerous fanatics and executed for extremist acts, insulting shrines, destroying temples like their teacher.
TIMELINE.
4 BC – Candidates for the royal throne of Judea Archelaus and Antipas in Rome at the Emperor Octavian.
3 BC (p. 5/3-5) - The anti-Roman Jewish uprising against Sabine and Var. 2,000 Jews crucified.
0 AD (pp. 7/6-12) - Miryam gives birth to Yeshu (bastard) from neighbor Yohanan.
6 AD (pp. 11/13-14) - The anti-Roman revolt of Judas the Galilean – 4,000 thieves.
11 AD (p. 15/15) – Childhood, healing of a neighbor.
26 AD (pp. 18/16-18) - Anti-Roman revolt against Pilate. Yeshu's acquaintance with the Hellenic half-blood, with the myth of Plato's Immaculate Conception, with the gods as saviors, with people with supernatural powers. Conversation with the mother about the immaculate conception. Conflict with mother and leaving home.
30 AD (pp. 26/19-36) – The baptism of Yeshu by John the Baptist. The first disciples and Yeshu's healing of the lame. The healing of the leper. The Sermon on the Mount. The healing of a woman. The resurrection of Rabbi Jairus' daughter. John's disciples: why Christ? Increase in Yeshu's disciples to 100. The healing of the false blind man. The Samaritan woman and the declaration of himself as the Messiah, the Christ. The rejection of Yeshu in Nazareth.
31 AD (pp. 46/37-42) – Yeshu's first anti-Roman rebellion. The Meeting of the Jews, Anathema to Yeshu. Judas' secret mission.
32 AD (pp. 53/43-52) - Parable of Poor Lazarus. Rich young man. Yeshu's renunciation of his mother, and brothers. Conflict with the Jews. The Prophecy of the Destruction of Jerusalem.
33 AD (pp. 67-100/53-88) – Yeshu heals Lazarus. Not peace, but the sword, buy swords, judge the peace, slay the enemy. Confiscation of the donkey. Yeshu's second anti-Roman rebellion. The decision of the Jews to arrest Yeshu. Last Supper and Yeshu's arrest. The Sanhedrin Trial. Pilate Trial. Herod trial. Pilate's speech and sentence, Peter's escape. Yeshu's repentance and execution. The False Ascension of Yeshu and His Exposure, Yehuda's 30 Pieces of Silver. The Fate of the 12 Apostles.
21st century: (pp. 107/89-90) Rabbis' opinion of Jesus.
Toledot Yeshu - the life of Jesus, jewish version
© Copyright: Юрий Пиотровский, 2022
Свидетельство о публикации №222051301578
Свидетельство о публикации №222051301578
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