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Q1 ACT3

“Philosophical Film Analysis”

NAME: Lea Jean Calvo

GRADE: GRADE 12 - STEM

ACTIVITY 3:

Directions: (20 points)

Recall and analyse a good philosophical film you’ve
watched recently by answering the questions below.

Title of the Movie: THE BODY

Questions:

1. What is the film about? Give a short synopsis.

Sharon, an Israeli archaeologist, discovers what she believes is the body of Jesus, walled up in a subterranean
tomb in Jerusalem’s old city. Artefacts from the tomb are analysed by specialists, and evidence mounts
supporting the theory that it is Jesus. The implications of this potential discovery quickly become clear to
Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders: if it is the body of Jesus, then he did not rise from the dead and the factual
basis of Christianity is undermined. Worried about the fallout of such a discovery, a Catholic cardinal assigns the
task of investigating the claim to Matt, a young Jesuit Priest who formerly worked in government military
intelligence. The Cardinal makes clear what the outcome of the investigation should be: it is not the body of
Christ. One of the Catholic consultants, Father Lavelle, slowly loses his faith as the evidence mounts and
eventually kills him out of despair. Political tensions in Jerusalem are increased when radical Palestinians declare
East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. Fearing collaboration between Jews and Catholics regarding the
discovery, a Palestinian group, “The Popular Front of Jerusalem” attempts to undermine the investigation and
they steal the bones from the tomb. The Israeli army intervenes, but the bones are destroyed by a grenade. The
Israelis then destroy the tomb, which reveals an inscription (that no one sees) indicating that the body was not
that of Jesus. Matt abandons the priesthood, although he now feels that the investigation has made him more of
a man of God.
2. What is the most controversial philosophical question presented in the film? Explain the scenario.
Philosophy of religion, faith/reason:
 In one scene a Monsignor asks Cardinal Pesci, “Do you really believe it is he in that tomb?” Pesci replies, “I
don’t concern myself with that very much. My concerns are for the Church and her real problems.” What
does this response say about Pesci’s personal faith?
 As the evidence mounts supporting the contention that the body is that of Jesus, Matt’s faith weakens and
he goes to Father Lavelle requesting something that he “can hold onto.” In view of the evidence, what
could be offered to Matt to support his faith?
 When the tomb is demolished at the end of the film, a stone inscription appears, making it clear that the
body was not that of Jesus: “Please God take my son David, as you took your own son Jesus.” Would the
point of the film have been better if this scene was left out?
3. What are your personal reaction/ reflection to that philosophical problem?
God has no place in politics this is the theme of The Body, an interesting film, if not a particularly 'entertaining'
one.
Antonio Banderas plays Father Matt Gutierrez, a priest sent by the Vatican to investigate the discovery of a tomb
in Jerusalem, which may or may not contain the crucified remains of Christ. Gutierrez has been given instructions
by the Vatican to declare that the remains are not those of Christ; but with all of the evidence suggesting
otherwise, the priest must struggle with facing the fact that his religion may be founded on a lie, and that,
perhaps, Jesus was never resurrected.
4. What did you learn from the film?
This movie blew me away the first time that I saw it.

The politics of religion is something that has not been dealt with very well in the movies. This movie does it very
well. I found that the reactions to the possible finding of the Christ's tomb to be intriguing. The Catholic Church has
told the investigator that the bones in the tomb ARE NOT the bones of the Christ, whatever he finds out.
Each side in this story wishes to use the bones in any way that will be advantageous to themselves. The reality of
the bones is immaterial to all of them.
Christ said that "the truth will set you free." In this movie it shows that when it comes to politics, the truth is
whatever will get people to follow what you want them to follow.