Penned by Michael Punter, THE LOST GOSPEL OF PONTIUS PILATE takes history to the very personal level as it digs into the life of Pilate, a Roman governor, as he presides over the trial of Jesus. To quote the author: “For a man at the heart of one of history’s most important events, we know very little about Pontius Pilate…was he a heartless monster or a humanist baffled by the overwhelming historical forces swirling around him?…(the play is) part memoir and part thriller, he is born into violence, surviving Rome’s worst defeat in Germany, then taking that experience to his next appointment: Judea.” Theatre 40, the non-profit professional theater company of Beverly Hills, proudly presents this one-night benefit performance to support their ongoing artistic endeavors.
Poster for “The Lost Gospel of Pontius Pilate” – Photo courtesy of Theatre 40
Tackling the puzzle of Pilate, Maxwell Caulfield presents a solo show which has been described as “sublime (Bennington Banner).” Caulfield’s career has been marked by multiple milestones on stage, in film, and on television, including “Guys ‘n’ Dolls,” “Chicago,” “An Inspector Calls,” Grease 2,” “Empire Records,” “The Boys Next Door,” and recently “Landman” on Paramount+. His association with playwright Michael Punter was initiated during a recent tour in which he co-starred with his wife, Juliet Mills, in “Darker Shores.”
Maxwell Caulfield kindly arranged to interview on June 19, 2015 about his reflections on “The Lost Gospel of Pontius Pilate,” as well as some other thoughts and considerations.
Maxwell as Pontius Pilate – Photo by Peter Mould
WHAT DREW YOU TO “THE LOST GOSPEL OF PONTIUS PILATE?”
The challenge, frankly. The playwright felt I could do the part justice and that was enough for me. Of course, there have been periods of doubt along the way. It is a bit of a personal mountain and not wildly commercial – but I wanted to tackle this most famous and perplexing of historical events.
Maxwell Caulfield – Photo by Peter Mould
DO YOU SEE PILATE AS A HEARTLESS MONSTER OR A COMPLEX HUMANIST? IF YOU HAD TO CREATE A PERSONALITY PROFILE FOR PILATE, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE HIM?
Pilate was an officer of Rome dispatched to govern a fiendishly challenging region of the known world. He had to do the critical thinking under tremendous pressure from prevailing forces. He was endeavoring to retain Roman power and keep regional stability. This play is about his personal dilemma and his agonized decision. He was a pretty regular bloke dealing with one, if not the most, self-actualized of beings in our entire existence.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ENTERTAINMENT FORM? FILM? TELEVISION? STAGE?
When I first entered the profession, I couldn’t wait for the rehearsal period to be over. I was so keen to get in front of the footlights! These days, I can’t have enough time in the hall collaborating with the director and my fellow actors. It is a privilege to perform live for a paying audience and feels such a communal experience. Television is generally so fast-paced that you are expected to slide in and deliver the goods on the spot. Any exploration has to be done in advance; and, because so much of casting is done last minute – certainly for the guest shots – it almost becomes add water and act. You go purely with your gut. Working on film, if the schedule is not too compressed, can be the most dynamic medium of the three. Unique locations really add to the mix. But of all that said, musical theater is the most fun to be had in showbiz! Strike up the band.
OF THE MANY ROLES YOU’VE PLAYED, DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE OF WHICH YOU ARE ESPECIALLY PROUD? WHY?
Oddly perhaps, given the limited amount of screen time, but I played a genuine American Civil War hero Colonel Strong Vincent in the TNT film of “Gettysburg” released back in 1983. Less is more!
YOU HAVE OFTEN APPEARED WITH YOUR WIFE JULIET MILLS ON STAGE. WHAT ARE THE UP AND DOWN SIDES OF ACTING IN A SHOW WITH YOUR WIFE?
Honestly, there is only upside to working with Juliet Mills. She is the most generous and present of actors. I think on only on occasion did we carry on staring daggers at each other after the curtain had gone up!! In truth, my wife has been an immense help on this particular project. And a great off-cameras actress for all the bleedin’ “self-tapes” one is obliged to submit.
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?
To bear witness to sanity returning to our times. Or have we always been stark raving mad? I like performing this play. It’s making me enjoy acting again.
Maxwell Caulfield – Photo by Peter Mould
“The Lost Gospel of Pontius Pilate” starring Maxwell Caulfield performs one night only on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. Theatre 40 is located on the campus of Beverly Hills High School, 241 S. Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90212. Tickets are $25. For information and reservations, go online.
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