Miracles on the Set of the Passion (Mel Gibson talks about what happened)

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[Happy2BMe]

Miracles on the Set of the Passion

Mel Gibson's The Passion

 What's particularly interesting is the way God seems to be working in
incredible ways through miraculous situations on the set. "There is an
interesting power in the script," Gibson notes. "There have been a lot
of unusual things happening on this set, good things like people being
healed of diseases, a couple of people have had sight and hearing
restored, another guy was struck by lightning while we were filming the
crucifixion scene and he just got up and walked away. There was even a
little six-year-old girl (the daughter of a person connected with the
crew) who had epilepsy since she was born and had up to 50 epileptic
fits a day. She's doesn't have them anymore for over a month now." He
marvels at how this movie has effected or touched most of the cast in
some deep and personal way. "And they really give you a lot of hope.
It's like wow! I mean, we're not kidding around about this. It's really
happening."


On an average day Caviezel goes through an arduous makeup session that
lasts anywhere from 4 to 7 hours, miraculously transforming his
clean-shaven face and partly shaved head into a believable image of
Jesus. Even Gibson was amazed one day when he saw him on camera, "He
looks like the Shroud of Turin!" Caviezel's says his performance is
inspired. "Truthfully, it was never up to me." He humbly continues, "My
answer was always that I'm interested in letting God work through me to
play this role. I believe the Holy Spirit has been leading me in the
right direction and to get away from my own physical flesh and allow the
character of Jesus to be played out the way God wants it -- that's all I
can do." Is Aramaic an intimidating language to learn? "Sure it is. But
I asked God to help me and I was able to learn it in a quick amount of
time, more than I normally am able to learn things."

The devoutly Catholic Caviezel takes his role seriously, often praying
and softly quoting scripture while in character. But there's a lighter,
funny side to him (he can sing a dead-on imitation of Bing Crosby) as
well as a very patient one. He laments about the trials and tribulations
of playing the "Son of God." "I endured freezing winds that almost blew
my cross off the cliff while I was on it! Seriously! I felt it sway back
and forth, and I knew it was going to blow over." He can now chuckle
about his experience, but it went on for a couple of weeks, "To make
matters worse, they had me up there, and it was freezing cold the first
day. And we were there without a heater and of course, I don't have many
clothes on the cross, so my body was going numb.  It was freezing."

Were there any other horror stories or was that the worst of his ordeal?
"I was spit on, beaten, and I carried my cross for days over and over
the same road; it was brutal." When asked about the makeup and special
effects for his crucifixion scenes he winces, "I have a 2:00 a.m. call
time to get skin and makeup put on for the flagellation and crucifixion
scenes, so I'm here long before the rest of the cast and crew. But you
know what? I consider all of it worth it to play this role; it's that
important to me."

In addition to spending 15 days filming on the cross, Caviezel was
scourged and whipped in chains and ropes. "Mel likes to put violence in
his movies. But the fact is, they represent truth. That's all Mel cares
about is making it look true to the text. No time has a film of our Lord
ever been shown like this one. Believe me when I say this to you, when
people get to the crucifixion scene, by that time I believe there will
be many who can't take it and will have to walk out. I guarantee it. And
I believe there will be many who will stay and be drawn to the truth."

Although Gibson feels apologetic for what Caviezel had to go through,
("I know Jim suffered, he separated his left shoulder and was in a lot
of pain and discomfort, but he was very patient during the whole
thing"), he maintains that giving a graphic depiction of what Jesus went
through before and during the time he hung on the cross is what makes
his portrayal realistic. "This is an event that actually happened. It
occurred. I'm exploring it this way, I think, to show the extent of the
sacrifice willingly taken by Jesus -- the price he paid that is as much
a part of what Jesus went through as the resurrection."


"My hope is that this movie has a tremendous message of faith, hope,
love, forgiveness and a message of tremendous courage and sacrifice. My
hope is that it will effect people on a very profound level and somehow
change them and that message is a pretty good message to be pushing
right now. There's so much turmoil in the world today, on the brink of
everybody at each others throats. I think usually when the world is
tried in this way people usually start going back to something higher to
fill a void in their souls, particularly if the earth is crying out in
pain from all the suffering and fear that's inflicted by war and hatred.
For me, I don't think there's a better message you could put out there,
than what's in this movie."

That message is truly Mel Gibson's heart and passion.

[Happy2BMe]

Wow.

[Happy2BMe]

Passion - lighting strike ping!

[Viking2002]

What's particularly interesting is the way God seems to be working in incredible ways through miraculous situations on the set. "There is an interesting power in the script," Gibson notes. "There have been a lot of unusual things happening on this set, good things like people being healed of diseases, a couple of people have had sight and hearing restored, another guy was struck by lightning while we were filming the crucifixion scene and he just got up and walked away. There was even a little six-year-old girl (the daughter of a person connected with the crew) who had epilepsy since she was born and had up to 50 epileptic fits a day. She's doesn't have them anymore for over a month now." He marvels at how this movie has effected or touched most of the cast in some deep and personal way. "And they really give you a lot of hope. It's like wow! I mean, we're not kidding around about this. It's really happening."

I'm speechless. I don't know Gibson from the guy down the street, but he's always seemed to be a straightforward guy. For him to disclose this - with conviction - I mean, I actually believe that God must be working through this guy. Your average Hollywood type, especially with the box office draw that he has, wouldn't dare go out on a limb like this - it would be career suicide.

[Saundra Duffy]

Hallelujah

[joyce11111]

And..Praise the Lord!

[eleni121]

We bought tickets a while back and I am looking forward to next week. Something wonderful is about to happen.

[McGavin999]

That message is truly Mel Gibson's heart and passion.

No, it is the Passion of Christ.

[Happy2BMe]

"Your average Hollywood type, especially with the box office draw that he has, wouldn't dare go out on a limb like this - it would be career suicide."

Apparently Mel's priorities have changed and the Authority in his life has shifted far, far away from the producers and directors of Hollyweed.

As for career suicide, what would normally be the "kiss of death" for a Hollyweed producer may well turn out to be the most lucrative Mel has ever done - both financially and spiritually.

[xJones]

Wow, indeed, This is one great movie coming up. Get your tickets, friends, and it was Truth and Justice that first posted the phone number on FR for tickets: 1-888-227-1152.

Let everyone concerned about this movie buy a ticket and actually view it. That will allow for an honest debate afterwards.

[CyberAnt]

Mel also financed "Braveheart", as well as directing it and starring in it.

[Think free or die]

I'm grateful to Mel Gibson for taking this on. There are few people who could do this project with any credibility or would have the courage to try.

[xJones]

I'm grateful to Mel Gibson for taking this on. There are few people who could do this project with any credibility or would have the courage to try.

I'll second that. In this day and age to make an unabashedly Christian movie - well, that's soemthing.

[chicagolady]

I second the motion!

Something wonderful, Revival maybe!

[Barnacle]

This is one of the best pieces yet about The Passion of Christ.

Ping

(If you want on my Catholic Ping List, please send a Freepmail.)

[Aquinasfan]

I'm disappointed that I won't be able to see it opening day. Can't get a baby-sitter. We're going to see it the opening weekend if we can get tickets.

[Aquinasfan]

I'm speechless.

In a more sane age this would have been front page news. Instead, we receive an endless stream of bogus allegations of anti-Semitism from the media. These miraculous events were reported several months ago, but the only place I've heard them mentioned is here at FR.

[Aquinasfan]

FYI, there is a wonderful mini-series running now on EWTN about Theresa of Avila. It's the most engaging Catholic drama that I've seen since "Brideshead Revisited."

It's in Spanish with subtitles. It's an 8-part series. The first three parts have already aired. Each part can stand alone, so you can jump in without having to "catch up." Part IV airs tonight and Parts V-VIII air next week, from Monday through Friday. It makes a great run-up to Ash Wednesday and Mel's movie.

See Teresa de Jesus about half way down the page.

Set your VCRs!

[kstewskis]

Order your advanced tickets for "The Passion of The Christ"!

1-800-353-6102

1-888-227-1152

Send Mel a message of support!

Needing promotional materials for "The Passion of The Christ" to share with family, friends, or your church?

Share THE PASSION during the holy season of Lenten renewal

This is a ping list for those who wish to share in viewing Mel Gibson's film, The Passion, while observing the traditions of Lent together.

If you want on or off this list, please FReepmail Northern Yankee

If you want to see what areas and countries are supporting the film, and how you can support and promote The Passion of Christ (the official title) to show at a theater near you, please visit this link: Support The Passion of Christ

The Passion of Christ main page (another awesome link thanks to Paul Atreides!)

[Uncle Jaque]

A lot of people who go in to the Theater to see this movie are going to be significantly changed before they come out again.

In ways, perhaps, which might astound even you and I, who believe in all of this stuff, and have for some time now.

Remember St.Paul's admonition to the Church that it is not through our personal efforts or intellectual arguments that Souls are won to Christ, in most instances?

It is usually the clear demonstration of God's Holy Power - the "Dunamus" - sometimes referred to as "Miracles" - manifested in the context of Holy "Agape'" Love, which saves and redeems.

It's usually quiet, and personal, and inward...

But there was a time when these works of the Paraclete' could be pretty spectacular.

Back when I hung with the Pentacostals and Charismatics, I saw and felt a few things that certainly got my attention!

Again I beg of you; PRAY in preparation for this event, and enter in expecting a miracle. Some of the most exciting action may not all be up on the screen.

I'm getting a certain sense about this "Passion"; are you?

Some people are apt to roll in to that Theater in a wheelchair, but walk back out rejoicing.

Amen?

Somebody, I sense, may well go in there with a sizeable tumor and a certain, terminal diagnosis, only to have the Doctors wondering where it all went a week later.

Expect it, my Beloved.

And let's be ready to give reason for the Joy and Hope abiding within us, shall we?

Se'lah';

Shalom.