I understand, but respectfully disagree. It was just another Hollywood entertainment vehicle product. Yes, that’s how the industry refers to them.
And I also respectfully disagree.
Hollywood wanted nothing to do with Mel's movie. They maligned it. They called it anti-Semitic. No one would help him market it, which is an expensive venture in itself. They highly questioned his use of original languages and his use of dramatic license. And yet he produced the most authentic presentation of the Passion to date.
For anyone who has taken the time to truly meditate on the Passion of Jesus, Mel's work comes the closest to being there.
Hollywood can not compete with that.