The picture begins with the birth of Jesus, and the visiting Magi who wandered far to present gifts to the prophesied Savior. My early parochial school training never ventured into the back story of the two thieves, one who was repentant while being crucified, the other being arrogant in the face of death. The viewer is given to consider that the men were brothers who were present in Bethlehem during Jesus's birth, and crossed paths with Him at various times as adults. This is an uneven story of the two men who were crucified along side Jesus Christ. Reviewed by classicsoncall 5 / 10 'It takes a thief to know another, huh?' But they will soon find that there is no escape from the brutal end that awaits them all on Golgotha. Along the way, they frequently cross paths with Jesus and other influential biblical figures. But first, they must survive a ruthless Roman centurion who threatens to unleash a terrible revenge on them. Together, on their journey to the cross, they will try to outrun their destiny. There, they meet Gestas, another young man who will share their fate. Soon after, the young brothers will suffer an unspeakable tragedy that results in them being taken in by a band of thieves with a penchant for violence. The Penitent Thief is an epic story that begins with the journey of the Magi and their chance meeting with young Dismas and his brother Jotham at the manger in Bethlehem. The Penitent Thief is the story of the two unnamed men who were crucified alongside Jesus and how they came to be beside him on the cross that fateful day.

Thief 1981 tpb