*flashbacks to my 11-year old self in Sunday school shielding my eyes in terror from the second half of this 9-minute short*
At the time I was growing tired of many inane and clichéd Bible YouTube videos, this came like a lightning in a bottle. And I think this still holds up in some aspects.
Revisiting this 6-7 years later, it is a pleasant surprise for an animated faith-based short like this to not shy away from the blood-soaked agony of crucifixion. The squeamish gore in the second half is unexpectedly gripping. I also appreciate its own spin to the already well-trodden premise of Jesus Christ's death. This time it's told through the perspective of a thieving criminal sentenced to crucifixion alongside Jesus. And my, the protagonist's flashbacks and his expressions of utter guilt and fear contributed to the feeling of dread intended by the film itself. I find the fragmented, paranoid use of animation and editing during a specific flashback pretty gripping as well.
Yes, it can get cheesy at points (especially the ending). Yes, some of the music can unintentionally distract from the tension that's supposed to build throughout the film. But to me this is a rather promising step up from many other attempts at portraying the one of the most harrowing torture stories in possibly The Greatest Story Ever Told.
You can see it as a passion project that made a brave decision to portray the torture as an actual torture. It tried to do something unique. And for that, I don't consider this as a negative viewing experience at all. In fact, I find it commendable.
It's not nearly as brutal as Passion of the Christ, and not an animation marvel like Prince of Egypt. Not the greatest thing ever, but at least probably worth a watch.
