Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ" Discussion

[Brinn]

As most of you know from other threads I'm anxiously awaiting this film. IMHO Gibson, although not as prolific as some directors, is one of the most talented, daring, and creative directors ever and I look forward to his rendering of the last 12 hours of Christ's time on Earth.

The film will be in Aramaic with english subtitles and it is being hailed as a cinematic masterpiece. I quote jeff Huston of Mixed reviews:

The weight of THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST is like a physical force. From the opening Gethsemane moments, it hits us square in the chest. This burden is felt—quite literally—and only grows heavier in the soul as this unforgiving testament unfolds. Yet while it weighs heavy, its burden is also unique in that it leads to such humbling inspiration. This Man’s passion moves you. With throat-choking, eye-watering impact, the final hours of Christ’s life are re-created with an authenticity that can only be understood through enduring it.

That’s essentially what Gibson has created here: an endurance test. For one, that is the story of Christ’s dirge to the cross; physically, mentally, and spiritually, it’s a test of endurance. Likewise for the audience, it’s a test of what we’ll sit through. The R-rated violence of Christ’s physical torture and sacrifice is more graphic than any previous depiction, giving The Passion Of The Christ a wince-quotient that exceeds any film I’ve seen.

Or how about these quotes from radio talk show host Rabbi Daniel Lapin:

... Passion will become famous as the most serious and substantive Biblical movie ever made. It will be one of the most talked-about entertainment events in history, it is currently on the cover of Newsweek and Vanity Fair.

... the faith of millions of Christians will become more fervent as Passion uplifts and inspires them. Passion will propel vast numbers of unreligious Americans to embrace Christianity. The movie will one day be seen as a harbinger of America's third great religious reawakening.

Hype or honest reaction? We'll see next week! I personally can't wait.

[Worm of Despite]

While I don't think the film will convert me, , I'm totally there with ya Brinn. I'm so sick of people bashing it and there's only been screenings. It's not even out yet! I love Gibson's work and I highly respect all he's done. It's a rare talent that can direct and act--and with such quality.

I love films that are authentic and don't use English when it's so obviously out of context with the time and place the movie is set. I'm glad they're using Aramaic. I think I'm going to watch it by myself--don't think I want to bring anybody else. How long is it, Brinn? Not literally 12 hours, I hope. heh.

[danlo]

I'm worried about anti-semitic reprecussions. I understand Gibson's deep faith and need to make it and love his directing-Braveheart is one of my favorite movies of all time. I don't know if it will be gory or beautiful but I have no desire, what-so-ever too see it.

[Brinn]

I think it's about 2 hours long Foul. Boy has Gibson come a long way from his voiced-over role in Mad Max.

I can't respond to the antisemitic accusations that have been leveled until I see it myself but from what I understand the vast majority that have actually viewed the film say it is hardly anti-semitic. Although if you look hard enough I'm sure one could find reasons to be offended by most anything. I think we live in an age of hypersensitivity and the reactions to this movie are a manifestation of this.

As a non-practicing catholic I'm intruiged to see the subject matter given a serious treatment. However, I must say that as a cinemaphile I'll go see almost any movie provided it is well made, makes me think, or elicits a strong emotional response. Heck, i even saw the English patient because of the cinematography!

[Skyweir]

i too am eager to see it .. no idea what i'm in store for .. but will find out

[Damelon]

I grew up in a non-religious household, but I'm curious about seeing the movie. It seems like it will be unique among the many movies about Jesus and worth seeing in the theater.

As to the larger issues of anti-semitism and religious reawakening, I won't be sure until I see the movie.

[Furls Fire]

My heart, I don't believe, will be able to take it. I am not sure I can bring myself to see it, as all movies depicting the Crucifixion bring me to tears. Just reading it in the Bible, brings me to tears, breaks my heart. I am sure that Mr Gibson has done a beautiful job, but I probably will not see it.

"Greater Love hath no men than this..." --John 15:13

[duchess of malfi]

I don't think I'll be seeing it. Just the still pictures I have seen from it look pretty disturbing to me. I do not like violent films, usually walk out on them when my husband watches them on videos, do not let my children watch them. This one looks like it will be pretty violent.

[Worm of Despite]

I personally don't see what's so bad about the violence in this particular movie, especially when compared with the violence of those mindless popcorn flicks. If it really happened, then it's reality, and it would do Christians good to see just exactly what their Savior went through for them.

[dlbpharmd]

My wife and I will go see it, although I can't promise that we'll be able to sit through the whole movie. But we are going to make the effort.

I anticipate the public loving this movie and the movie critics hating it. Last year when the Civil War movie Gods and Generals came out, Roger Ebert absolutely tore the movie apart, claiming it was racist and revisionist. He quoted so many inaccuracies that it became obscene (foe instance, he said that General Lee was portrayed in the movie as God-fearing, but was in fact an atheist - a fact not supported by any of Lee's writings or historical descriptions.)

So I expect critics like Ebert to try to make this movie out to be anti-semitic, no matter the truth.

[Brinn]

I disagree dlb. Thus far the critical reaction is all extremely positive. I expect both critical and public support of the film with criticism coming from select interest groups. Just my two cents.

Here are a couple samples from a few other reviews I found:

Nordling from Ain't it Cool News

...The fact is, this is a powerful film and this needs to be seen by the widest audience possible. This is an Important Film. Possible the first real Important Film of the 21st Century.

Don't get me wrong. I love THE LORD OF THE RINGS films. Of course I do. But with THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST Mel Gibson has created Art. It has all the beauty of the works of the Middle Ages depicting the death of Jesus Christ. Inspired by the paitings of Caraveggio, various written works as well as the Gospels, Gibson has created an unparalleled work of art that will stand the test of time as one of the greatest religious films ever made.

...But the other changes {Gibson} suggested... okay. They really aren't necessary. Sure, clean up the print, clean up some of the obvious CGI that you will need... but you literally have a perfect film here.

and a somewhat dissenting view from The UK Daily Telegraph:

For, worthy and serious as Gibson's treatment may be, his blood-drenched depiction of the final hours of Jesus's life is harsh and brutal, dwelling almost entirely on pain, suffering and torment.

Beatings, whippings, floggings and the Crucifixion, are shown in close-up with frequent slow motion shots to ensure that no detail escapes us. We see a cat-o-nine tails rip repeatedly into Jesus's flesh as His body is torn and battered to a bleeding pulp; He stumbles, falls and is beaten many times during His long, slow crawl towards His crucifixion; and the agony of the Crucifixion is graphically and excruciatingly portrayed.

...It is difficult to know who would want to see a film this violent, but Gibson has been encouraging thousands of churchgoers to see it. Given that mainstream American audiences are generally more comfortable with violence than with sex, and that the anti-Semitic controversy has helped rather than hindered marketing efforts, The Passion is likely to boost Gibson's bank account by many millions of dollars.

[Furls Fire]

and a somewhat dissenting view from The UK Daily Telegraph:

For, worthy and serious as Gibson's treatment may be, his blood-drenched depiction of the final hours of Jesus's life is harsh and brutal, dwelling almost entirely on pain, suffering and torment.

Beatings, whippings, floggings and the Crucifixion, are shown in close-up with frequent slow motion shots to ensure that no detail escapes us. We see a cat-o-nine tails rip repeatedly into Jesus's flesh as His body is torn and battered to a bleeding pulp; He stumbles, falls and is beaten many times during His long, slow crawl towards His crucifixion; and the agony of the Crucifixion is graphically and excruciatingly portrayed.

...It is difficult to know who would want to see a film this violent, but Gibson has been encouraging thousands of churchgoers to see it. Given that mainstream American audiences are generally more comfortable with violence than with sex, and that the anti-Semitic controversy has helped rather than hindered marketing efforts, The Passion is likely to boost Gibson's bank account by many millions of dollars.

Oh sweet mercy

I wouldn't be able to take this movie

I personally don't see what's so bad about the violence in this particular movie, especially when compared with the violence of those mindless popcorn flicks. If it really happened, then it's reality, and it would do Christians good to see just exactly what their Savior went through for them.

I know what He went thru. And it breaks my heart

[dlbpharmd]

I disagree dlb. Thus far the critical reaction is all extremely positive. I expect both critical and public support of the film with criticism coming from select interest groups. Just my two cents.

Brinn, I hope you're right. But you know how some critics are. Has Ebert weighed (no pun intended) in on this yet?

[Brinn]

Not that I know of...Critical reviews are still somewhat few and far between.

[Fist and Faith]

I think this movie is too controversial, so I'm gonna delete this thread.











Psyche!!!

*wiping tears of laughter from eyes* I just kill me!

It seems that I never see the controversial ones. Still haven't even seen Last Temptation. Not seeing them is not intentional, I don't know why.

[dlbpharmd]

I tried to watch Last Temptation and could not finish it - too sacrilegious for me.

Of course, I can watch Life of Brian and laugh myself silly...

[Worm of Despite]

I've never seen it, so what's sacrilegious about it? Just curious.

[Damelon]

The movie is not being previewed to Ebert or any of the other reviewers until two days before the release.

Actually, I'm kind of curious about Ebert's review. His taste in movies are generally closer to mine more often than not. I don't know about Gods and Generals. I didn't see the movie. I based my decision to skip the movie on the recommendation of a co-worker, a civil war buff, who told me not to waste my time. The movie to him was too long and long-winded.

Ebert may have a blind spot towards movies that are perceived by him to be pro-southern. His wife is african-american.

[Zephalephelah]

I've never seen it, so what's sacrilegious about it? Just curious.

From what I understand, not having seen it myself, the last temptation Jesus has to deal with is 'lust'. And he barely escapes from it.

The problem for Christians regarding such a concept is that Jesus was tempted by Satan himself with everything a man might desire & he easily beat Satan. It wasn't even really a contest, just a thing that Jesus had to go through.

Therefore, making Jesus into a man that could be seduced into sin reduces what Jesus means to Christians and makes him only a man instead of a God living in a man. This would pretty much reduce Christian belief to uselessness because the Gospel that saves Christians is that God became a man and died our sins as a perfect human, something that we cannot be.

This is why I'm interested in watching this movie that Mel Gibson made. Here is this God that created the universe & everything & everyone, and on the surface his plan looks like a failure. Human beings are killing each other and so on. But under the surface, there is this freewill thing which is really important to God. So we're given the capacity to sin so we can come back to him by choice. Only we blow it so often that he has to make it easy, but making it easy for us is to make it hard for him. He becomes a man, Jesus, and dies a horrific death at the hands of Satan and his control over the crowd & of Judas & of Pilate. Jesus could have just died by crucifixion, but Satan hated God so much that he wanted to make Jesus (God) suffer almost to the point of death for as long as possible. Imagine the most criminal of Nazi torturers and you begin to understand that Jesus was placed in a literal hell on earth and suffered incredible, just incredible pain, and at any time he could have called on the masses of angels who stood back and watched in horror as the King of kings was destroyed before them and a completely oblivious crowd of people who were *supposed* to be God's chosen people. The sadnesses upon sadnesses are so great that for some people merely hearing about it causes them to cry out for mercy for this man who had died for them.

It's the reason that I believe at all. I've read many books and heard a wide range of music and had emotions running from wide daylong smiles to weeks of tears. But I have never ever heard of something remotely close to as beautiful as that of a God, a Creator, coming to become one of his creations so that he can die for them to save them and give them life and hope. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard. I think that for most people, if they had never heard of such a thing & then read it in a book like a Thomas Covenant book, that they would openly weep! at such a thing.

So it will be hard & my tears will flow, but I will see this movie.

[matrixman]

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