Peter: The Redemption(2016)is obviously a faith based film. It is a slightly fictionalized version during the latter years of the Apostle Peter's life. When Nero blamed the Christians for burning Rome. The blanks were filled in to make an interesting film that kept within the framework of biblical accounts.
I was pleasantly surprised to see the quality of actors involved in this. Peter is played by John Rhys-Davies who brings a powerful level of earnestness in his portrayal. Stephen Baldwin has become a staple in faith films for quite a few years. In this role, Baldwin plays evil emperor Nero with an unhinged fervor that works. A surprising addition was that of the lovely Bobbie Phillips, who was a television staple in the nineties. Phillips plays empress Poppaea with a complicated subtlety that makes her character one of the film's most intriguing. The crucial balancing act she carries between the relationships and self preservation in the film are meticulously conveyed.
This film weaves in a fictional tale of a young servant girl, played well by newcomer Brittany Bristow and her witness to a young guard played by Steve Byers. Byers also turns in a sincere and solid understated performance.
Without a large Hollywood budget, this is not the epic look of MGM's 1951 multi Academy Award nominated Nero tale. However, the story by John Patus, direction by Leif Bristow and solid performances come together for a good and quite powerful story of faith.