Disappointing rubbish
Personally I think it's rubbish! Please...would anyone really have followed the Messiah as portrayed by Mawle? He is ineffectual at portraying the charisma which is so much a part of any great leader but especially one who led in peace at a time when leaders were characterised by their willingness to make war.
I am disappointed by the inaccuracies wrt the bible...did no one think to actually READ the story before making a film. But then the fact that it was commissioned by HBO should warn the viewer that any attempt at making a realistic ,rigorous piece of work would be second in priority to commercial considerations.
As mentioned in another thread it seems that the cast was hastily assembled from bit part soap actors and those who are more familiar to the public as the face of Yellow Pages and BT Home Hubs.
I think some diligence should be expected and a more serious approach to casting and acting when dealing with the core themes of religious beliefs.
Dare we expect a life of Mohammed (starring Ross Kemp as the eponymous hero)to follow or perhaps the threat of a Fatwah will prevent Mr Offer from approaching that particular religion in such a slipshod manner.