In this episode, Ruby is joined by Dr Katie Turner, Independent Scholar and Public Historian, to explore how cinema has shaped our collective imagination of the biblical past. From Ben Hur to The Passion of the Christ, “Jesus films” have been among the most enduring — and contentious — examples of history on screen.
Katie, whose research spans Second Temple Judaism, the New Testament, and their reception in art, drama, and film, lifts the curtain on how filmmakers have reimagined sacred stories for modern audiences. Together, Ruby and Katie discuss why depictions of Jesus and the ancient world so often reflect theology, orientalism, and cultural bias more than historical evidence — and how filmic conventions have turned Jesus into one of cinema’s most recognisable (and reinterpreted) figures.
They delve into questions of authenticity and audience expectation, from casting and costume design to the use of European landscapes as stand-ins for the ancient Near East. Katie explains why efforts to “correct” popular portrayals can sometimes backfire, creating an “anti-authenticity effect” in viewers accustomed to centuries of artistic tradition.
The conversation also explores non-Western portrayals, subversive reimaginings such as Life of Brian and Jesus Christ Superstar, and the enduring cultural power of these films as both entertainment and theology.
Whether you’re a film buff, theologian, or historian, this episode reveals how the cinematic Jesus tells us as much about our own world as it does about the ancient one.
Find out more about Katie's work here:
Bluesky: @katieturnerphd.com
Website: https://www.katieturnerphd.com/about
Podcast: https://www.godsandmoviemakers.com/
Read the journal here:
https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/cerh20/current
Follow the journal here:
Bluesky: @EuroReviewHist
Threads:@EuroReviewHistory
Instagram: @euroreviewhistory
Blog: www.euroreviewhistory.com
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