Fox Faith biblical potboiler, "The Final Inquiry" - a remake of the 1986 film "L'Inchiesta" - is about the personal journey of finding religious faith.
It stars Dolph Lundgren as Brixos, a Hun who was made a Roman slave after his village was burned out by a legion.
The film is set to hit DVD on Feb. 19th and has a suggested retail price of $26.98. The Final Inquiry is presented in widescreen (1.78:1 aspect ratio) with Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound as well as English, French and Spanish subtitles. Bonus content includes "The Making of The Final Inquiry."
Rome's greatest general Titus Valerius Tauro (Daniele Liotti) receives a special assignment from the Roman emperor Tiberius (Max von Sydow): travel in secret to the city of Jerusalem to investigate the recent death and possible resurrection of a crucified man named Jesus of the Nazarene.
Tauro sets out to end to the spreading cult of Jesus. But he crosses paths with Tabitha (Monica Cruz), which subverts his mission as he falls for this daughter of F. Murray Abraham, who plays a complete bastard in this film. The opening scene has him condemn his own wife for shagging a roman, her death carried out by a public stoning.
Tauro is pitted against the corrupt Pontius Pilate (Hristo Shopov, who echoes his "The Passion of the Christ" role), the prosecutor Saul of Tarsus (Fernando Guillén Cuervo), and Simon Peter (Enrico Lo Verso), the prescient fisherman who leads the new followers of Jesus.
Pontius Pilate tries to appease inquisitive Tauro by offering him a likely dead Jesus. A green corpse with conveniently punched holes in the hands and feet but Tauro pulls a Dr. Michael Baden on Pontius Pilate and explains the forensics in great detail to an annoyed Pilate on why the dead guy is a ringer.
Dolph Lundgren is cast as Tauro's big Hun bodyguard and slave. He does a good turn in his role, and says very little but offers the right presence in each scene that underscores his strength. His quiet performance as the loyal servant is actually one of the better things about the movie.
Monsters and Critics got five minutes to talk with this brainy Swedish beefcake who still looks amazing at 50, who has a degree in chemical engineering and who still gravitates to larger-than-life mythical roles, both as an actor, director and producer.
You recently wrote, directed and starred in Missionary Man. What is this about?
Dolph: "It's a modern-day western about a man who rolls into town on a motorcycle, he has a preacher personality and a score to settle from his past. The story is essentially about redemption."
What westerns have made their mark on you?
Dolph: "Eastwood's stuff, like the 'Unforgiven' and 'The Outlaw Josie Wales' and of course, 'Dances with Wolves'."
Do you like the history and mythology of Native American Indians for your own film projects?
Dolph: "Yes, as a European, you know I am a newcomer here and this country (USA) is very young. I'm also a history buff and many of the Indian war stories are from around 1890 when my grandfather was around then, so this county is not very old. But I am always interested in the Indian history of the States. I am fortunate to be here working and I owe a lot to this country.”
You divide your residences between London and Spain, will you ever have a US homestead too?
Dolph: "Well, I am in Los Angeles so much of the time now, with my directing and other projects, but I did live here for 10 years, and in New York for six. My wife too, we just decided to move to Europe later.”
How was it to work with F. Murray Abraham and Max Von Sydow on The Final Inquiry?
Dolph: "You know, it's always the best and biggest talents who are humble and approachable, just like in the world of sports. The best don't have to try too hard or be difficult. They were terrific to work with, such incredible talents and I was lucky to work with them, and hopefully I will be working with them again in the near future.”
So you're 50, you look incredible still, outside of your great Swedish genes and rigorous lifetime of exercise, any secrets to share ?
Dolph: [laughing] “Yeah well thank you. What can I say except the key for me is to watch stress, not overdo anything and always pace myself. I take vacations with my family, I eat dessert occasionally and just watch the stressing out part of life. Like any athlete, there is a rhythm to everything at every age.”
The Final Inquiry is now available for pre-order at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for this version of the DVD in the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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