From Jeymes Samuel, the director of the overrated 2021 revisionist Western “The Harder They Fall” comes the revisionist biblical tale “The Book of Clarence,” and all that I can say is, Did anybody read this before throwing money at it? “The Book of Clarence” recasts the New Testament story of Jesus Christ and the Romans who crucified him. In Samuel’s version, which he wrote, directed and composed the music for, the Jews, including two Christ-like figures, are Black, and the Romans are white. In an opening director’s statement that precedes the film, Samuel, a British musician-filmmaker, cites Hollywood epics such as “Ben-Hur” (1959) as his inspiration and invites us to enjoy his film’s “wickedly dope” appeal. As if.

Set in Roman-controlled Jerusalem in 33 A.D., where citizens must show “papers” when approached by Roman soldiers, “The Book of Clarence” is in fact divided into three books. In the first, we meet Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield, whose star-making role still eludes him). Clarence is the feckless, herb-dealing twin brother of Thomas (also Stanfield), who is one of the 12 apostles of the Jesus Christ (Nicholas Pinnock). In opening scenes, Clarence and his likable sidekick Elijah (RJ Cyler) are racing Mary Magdalene (an underused Teyana Taylor) in small chariots. It’s no “Ben-Hur,” and as it turns out Clarence’s chariot and horse belong to Jedidiah the Terrible (Eric Kofi-Abrefa). Clarence is in love with Jedidiah’s beautiful, younger sister Varinia (Anna Diop).

“The Book of Clarence,” which was shot in Cinecitta, and on location in the breathtaking ancient Italian city of Matera Basilicata, is a postmodern mess. Unfortunately, it is also going to become the rite of passage for a generation of children. But what it is? At times, it feels very strongly like a “Life of Brian” spoof/alternate story of Jesus Christ, using a previous unknown as a Christ stand it.

Inspired by Jesus, whom he believes is a fraud in spite of his brother’s devotion, atheist Clarence teams up with Barabbas (the huge and hugely charismatic Omar Sy), a gladiator slave that Clarence frees from the service of his owner (Babs Olusanmokun, “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” ), and Elijah and pretends to be a Messiah, convincing gullible crowds of Judaeans with such tricks as raising a “dead” Elijah. Unfortunately, Clarence’s ruse causes him to come under the scrutiny of Pontius Pilate (James McAvoy no less). The film has a third Messiah figure. I guess I should not reveal anything else about this character, which is fine with me, since I did not understand anything about him.

“The Book of Clarence” is like a two-hour plus “SNL” skit with a dance sequence that nobody bothered to edit (or just delete). The score composed by Samuel is sometimes just an acoustic guitar. At others, it’s the full “The Lion King.” That is Marianne Jean-Baptiste (“Secrets & Lies”) as Clarence’s mother. David Oyelowo shows as John the Baptist. Sporting a white wig, Alfre Woodard is the film’s Mother Mary. People keep slapping each other in the face. This may be the first use of funk music in a Biblical film. By the time we get around to the Crucifixion, I was reminded that I had already seen “The Passion.” How long before we get a Broadway musical version of “The Book of Clarence?” Not long enough.

(“The Book of Clarence” contains drug use, profanity and sexually suggestive material)

“The Book of Clarence”

Rated PG-13. At AMC Boston Common, AMC Causeway 13 and suburban theaters. Grade: C