Katie Turner seeks to answer two simple questions: Why do costumes in Christian-themed film and drama look the way they do? And how do these costumes relate, if at all, to the true historical clothing of the New Testament period? For the last two thousand years one narrative has dominated art and drama - that of the life of Christ - and these questions are vital, as artistic and dramatic representations of the Passion have long affected public knowledge of Christian theology, the biblical narrative, the historical first century, and Judaism and the Jewish people. Costume, a chief component of drama, is the medium through which the actor inhabits his or her character; and like represented clothing in art, it is central to audience reception of a depicted figure as 'real' or 'authentic'.
To fully appreciate the extent to which representations of the Passion narrative have shaped public perception, Turner first explores the clothing and dress culture of the New Testament period, illustrating for the reader what the Jewish inhabitants of the Eastern Mediterranean wore, and why; and, how this information contributes to a broader understanding of biblical texts and the social context of their creation. She then examines costuming from the development of key motifs in Christian religious drama of the medieval period to their appearance and use in contemporary films about Jesus. Turner concludes that, despite a drive for naturalism and accuracy in film, costuming practices today continue to reflect those developed within the theological, cultural, and social contexts of the medieval period.
