Realism or brutality – has

NY Daily News ^ | February 18, 2004 | TAMER EL-GHOBASHY and CORKY SIEMASZKO

[presidio9]

Mel Gibson's controversial new movie "The Passion of the Christ" was igniting plenty of passion yesterday - even though opening night was still a week away. First Lady Laura Bush said she was looking forward to watching the R-rated film about the Crucifixion of Christ.

"I think it sounds very interesting, and I'd like to see it," the First Lady told reporters while visiting a high school in Bentonville, Ark.

But lots of others weren't so sure.

Gibson's story of the torture of Christ isn't just brutal, it's an exercise in cinematic sadism that opens on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 25) at 18 theaters across the city and 2,000 more throughout the country.

And that left many New Yorkers interviewed by the Daily News wondering whether the one-time "Lethal Weapon" star took the violence too far in his portrayal of "The Passion of the Christ."

They joined a chorus of other critics who fear the movie unfairly scapegoats Jews and who accuse Gibson of straying from the Gospels.

For many parents - even churchgoing parents who don't quibble with Gibson's interpretation of the Gospels - the violence might be too much for their kids.

"I don't think my children would get it," said Debbie Sparber, 45, of Manhattan, a Christian whose kids are 12 and 9. "They'd misunderstand what they're seeing."

Richard D'Alessandro, 45, a Manhattan-based actor who has appeared on violent shows like "The Sopranos," said there's no way he'll take his 9-year-old, Giancarlo, to the film.

"Violence is violence, no matter what the subject matter," said D'Alessandro, who is a Catholic. "For whatever religious value this film may have, the violence makes it out of the question."

Despite the blood and gore, many religious groups such as the New York-based Catholic League have already prepurchased thousands of tickets - virtually assuring Gibson will recoup the $25 million he sank into making the movie.

That Gibson's "Passion" is expected to do boffo at the box office is all the more remarkable because six months ago he was struggling to find a distributor.

True believers like Jurema Farr, 41, of Sparta, N.J., said Gibson's recounting of Christ's last 12 hours alive is something her three kids need to see - even if it sickens them.

"They need to know and learn about what happened to Jesus Christ," said Farr, her 8-year-old, Ulysees, and 6-year-old, Orion, in tow. "You have to show your kids the truth, even if it's violent."

Dr. Alan Hilfer, a child psychologist at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, disagreed. He said kids that age aren't ready for that kind of graphic violence.

"I have seen some of the clips, and it was pretty gruesome," he said. "This is not cartoon violence."

But Manhattan psychiatrist Wayne Myers said "kids from religious families are already programmed to believe in this, and their parents will explain this as this is our Lord suffering."

In an interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer, Gibson admitted he pumped up the violence because he wanted to push the viewer "over the edge." He said he wanted viewers to feel "the enormity of Christ's sacrifice."

Gibson also denied the movie is anti-Semitic, but has resisted requests by Jewish groups to add a postscript to the movie reminding viewers that it was the Romans, not the Jews, who ultimately crucified Christ.

Abraham Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League asked Pope John Paul yesterday to tell his flock that Gibson's controversial movie is not the gospel truth.

"It's Mel Gibson's version of the Gospel, it's Mel's gospel," he said.

Joseph Starrs of American Life League's Crusade for the Defense of our Catholic Church, said Gibson is true to the New Testament.

"This film is many things, but it is not anti-Semitic," he said. "If this film were, then the Gospel itself must be, because it is on this indisputable truth of the Gospels that the movie is based."

[Skooz]

Uuuhhhhhh................No.

[TomServo]

God demands punishment for sin. And since Jesus became sin, he was punished accordingly. I doubt this film will accurately portray the amount of punishment inflicted upon Christ. I'm sure it was much worse than the film displays.

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

Based on everything I've seen written about the movie, it's not historically accurate

Please reply with quotes stating such. I've read everything from Reeltruth to Ain't It Cool News and haven't seen anyone discount the accuracy of the torture methods described in history, and in the Bible, that the Romans had developed.

[ClearCase_guy]

The Soviet Socialist Left disturbed by graphic violence?

When Conservatives say that violent Hollywood movies will incite people to violence and that sexual movies incite people to promiscuity, the Leftists explain that we are rubes. Movies don't affect people that way.

When Conservatives make a movie depicting the sufferings undergone by Christ to redeem us all from sin, the Leftists say we are monsters who are inciting the mob to anti-Semitism.

Color me confused.

[whereasandsoforth]

...and Jesus will forgive the DUer's and satan will vote for the democrat no matter what. ...and people still pretend there is equality amongst the ideologies.

[Cubs Fan]

I think we ought to Freep this movie like a poll. I urge all to get out there and vote with your tickets.

The only people I've seen attacking this film are leftists. for that reason alone it would be worth supporting this movie.

Furthermore, A Christian relative of mine saw a screening at her church and said the movie is great. I'll take her opinion over numbnut leftists who hate Christianity any day.

[Skooz]

Crucifixion was the common penalty for the lowest of criminals (thieves, revolutionaries, et al) in the mid-late Roman Empire.

Not sure what that has to do with anything, though.

[Hildy]

The media just CANNOT let this go...I want to know why. I can't imagine this movie being any more violent than 75% of the movies I saw last year. I'm seeing it next week, so I'll let you know!

[Lazamataz]

I have no opinion.

[latrans]

"It is as it was". That's what the Pope said.

[stuartcr]

Ideologies or concepts, are just that. I believe all are equal because an ideology cannot be validated.

[Sister_T]

Will folks buy a clue?? Jesus' death was NOT this pretty, "oh, spank me, you big, Roman guard, you!" nonsense! It was BLOODY, horrific and, yes, it was violent! Being beaten with a cat o'nine tails doesn't leave just bruises. Do these people read the Bible? There's violence throughout. Mankind does not have the best history in treating its fellow man with decency and kindness. We probably aren't getting treated to ALL of what happened to Christ and if this little bit offends folks, the whole truth would probably shatter them!

[af_vet_1981]

Here's an interensting article on the ADL and why they seem to have such a problem with this movie

Yep, that is a great article. The problem with the ADL is that it does not defend the Jewish people appropriately and actively undermines a Jewish life by its overly liberal politics. Nonetheless on the issue of this movie it has valid historical concerns.

[Skooz]

Superb Post.

[Cubs Fan]

the Leftists say we are monsters who are inciting the mob to anti-Semitism.

Yeah they've got a lot of nerve on that one too. Most of them hate Israel and would like to see it cut off economically giving aid and comfort to Palestinain terrorists everywhere. But hey that's not antisemitism only movies depicting history are guilty of that /sarcasm.

[reegs]

Does anyone else have the same reaction to this film that I have? I'm very anxious to see it despite knowing I'll be a weeping, sorrowful mess by the end of the film.

[jim35]

"...Somehow, a realistic portrayal of our Lord's suffering is "sadistic," but gore-fests like "Natural Born Killers" is high art..."

Thank you! Are you listening, Agnes Heep? Now you can say "everything I've read about it," and end that sentence differently.

[LisaMalia]

Hey, Hollyweird/liberal media, you're wasting your breath! Do you actually think anyone who is looking forward to seeing this film (like myself) is listening to your drivel?

I quit listening to you long ago, on *all* subjects. And when it comes to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I'd listen to my cat on the subject before I'd listen to your "input".

[WV Mountain Mama]

Hypocrisy at its finest! Showing the last hours of Christ's life according to The Scripture is bad. Grand Theft Auto video games to babysit 11 year olds instead of parents is good. Didn't you get the memo?

[freedomson]

Yeah, and Jesus better be blonde, blue eyed and somewhat effeminate.