Two legends, one city, zero chill — Omar Sharif's Peter faces Rome's lions literally and figuratively.
Saint Peter, a reluctant but passionate leader, from the crucifixion of Jesus to his own. The film's first half dramatizes the New Testament's "Acts": early fear, the renewal of Pentecost, Saul's conversion, the decision to baptize pagans, and the Apostles' dispersal. In the second half, an aged Peter goes to Rome to join Paul, arriving on the day of Paul's arrest. Paul's death brings a crisis to Rome's Christians and to Peter; lessons from Jesus's teachings guide his decision to stay. Events within the fictive household of Persius, a Roman aristocrat, capture the upheaval that Christian teachings bring to the Eternal City.
Acting
Omar Sharif's weathered gravitas elevates every scene he's in.
Production
Rome's ancient streets recreated with surprising TV-movie ambition.
Writing
Paul-Peter philosophical debates are genuinely chewy theological meat.
Director
Giulio Base
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Omar Sharif's final major role; he reportedly took it to reconnect with his Coptic Christian roots.
The 2005 release coincided with Pope John Paul II's final Easter, making this unofficial Vatican prestige television.
IT
