Following western The Harder They Fall, Jeymes ‘The Bullitts’ Samuel brings his swaggering visual sense and another all-star, largely black cast to the biblical epic genre. Set in Jerusalem in 33AD, The Book Of Clarence offers a lively and comical take on the time. LaKeith Stanfield is the likeably laidback Clarence, ‘a peddler of stolen property and seller of ungodly herbs’ according to his disdainful apostle brother Thomas (Stanfield again).

Assisted by sidekicks played by RJ Cyler and Omar Sy, this unabashed heathen decides to take a leaf out of the Jesus Christ playbook, reinventing himself as a messiah figure in an attempt to pay off a loan shark. David Oyelowo, James McAvoy and Benedict Cumberbatch appear in small roles, with Alfre Woodard getting a particularly funny scene revolving around the immaculate conception, and Top Boy’s Micheal Ward making an impression with his sly, slightly rude-boy Judas.

This is an interesting, if not always narratively satisfying spin on a false prophet tale, told with singular style by Samuel. Although ultimately falling firmly into the believer camp, The Book Of Clarence nevertheless has plenty of provocative potential and a distinctly British irreverence, à la Life Of Brian. The London-born Samuel, who also penned the script, takes the religious parody further than a US filmmaker might, putting his own stamp on familiar story elements by highlighting racial tension, and ridiculing the preferred notion of a shiny white Christ.

Despite the lengthy runtime, some aspects feel hastened through, not least the efforts of Nicholas Pinnock’s legit messiah, Jesus. However, with events flanked by a funky, soulful and attitude-infused score, composed by Samuel himself, The Book Of Clarence is fun and flavoursome, if a little lacking in satirical substance.

The Book Of Clarence is in cinemas from Friday 19 April.