The Greatest Story, Newly Told -- Mel Gibson on "The Passion," and the passion behind it.

The Wall Street Journal ^ | Friday, March 7, 2003 | RAYMOND ARROYO

[TroutStalker]

Bounding around Studio 5 on the Cinecitta lot, not far from the catacombs, Mel Gibson is giving the performance of his life. In the shadow of an olive tree, wrapped in blue fog, he is at first a trembling Judas yanking at his lip, now a torch-toting member of Herod's guard. After expelling a cough (the remnant of a flu bug) and running a hand though his mane, he is suddenly a placid Messiah.

[apackof2]

"We are talking about the single event that influenced civilization as we know it: the law, the arts, our knowledge of good and evil," Mr. Gibson says. "It has touched every possible aspect of everyone's life whether they realize it or not."

Amen, Mr. Gibson, amen

[Cap'n Crunch]

I can't wait for this one. Can't figure out how I'm going to keep from crying like a baby when I see it. I've read the book with the visions that Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich had. What a terrible way to die, I can't imagine the pain that Jesus must have suffered.

[Valin]

journalists are trying to figure out what Mr. Gibson is about

Well gee you don't suppose he's about telling a REAL GOOD STORY do you? And the fact that it really happened...well I'm going to call that a plus.

I will be very interested in how he treats that darn empty tomb, it's such an "inconvenient" thing.

[Valin]

Can't figure out how I'm going to keep from crying like a baby when I see it.

Oh go ahead..I'll probably be right there with you.

[HighRoadToChina]

MEGA BUMP!!!

[Cap'n Crunch]

LOL, I thought I might chicken out and wait for it to come out on video....

Nah...I'll be there blubbering.

[Aquinasfan]

This sounds like it will be the best Bible-based film to date. I can't wait. We need this movie.

[NYer]

Catholic bump!

[Paul Atreides]

A reverent depiction of Jesus Christ. In a related story, Hollywood readies to gear up the smear machine.

[sauropod]

I second that emotion.

[fish hawk]

Let us all keep Mel in our prayers as it is known that evil goes after those that do works in the name of God. God found a tool in Hollywood that was fit enough for Him to use. Go Mel!!

[Mobilemitter]

Don't hold your breath for a tomb scene. The drama (and therefore Mel) is going to portray the 12 hours leading up to the cross. The resurrection , while being the true wonderment and miracle and purpose of the entire ordeal, will not make the screen. Remember, people came to see Lazarus, not Jesus. Spectacle and emotion draws people, including Mel. While many would offer to DIE for the sake of the Christ there are few who have "the passion" to present themselves as living sacrifices to the Lord.

Mel's artistic concept of a great concert is one where everything resolves to the climax of an intense violin solo designed to bring crocodile tears... and....uh....lots..of...tiss..shoes.. Meanwhile the majority of instruments are left sitting in the pit oxidizing. Too bad. Could be,should be,would be GRAND to hear the fullness of the orchestra. Sooo, I wouldn't get too excited about anything Mel is doing.

I can name that song in two notes..... bahhh-wahhhh....

[Marysecretary]

He is an amazing man, a man among thieves, you could say! My admiration for him grows and grows. Now the press is attacking him by going to his 85 year old father who is a very opinionated old man and digging up whatever they can to slander him. I don't want to stand next to any of these "reporters" on Judgement Day! How do they sleep at night?

[stainlessbanner]

bump

[StoneColdTaxHater]

It will remain to be seen what sludge the left wing press will dredge up about Mel once this is released. God forbid we be forced to have the story of Christ told as it was and not portraying him as gay or a fraud. I apperciate Mel Gibson for following his convictions not conventions

[Belial]

Mel's artistic concept of a great concert is one where everything resolves to the climax of an intense violin solo designed to bring crocodile tears...

What are you babbling about? The safe road would be to show Christ's resurrection. That would bring resolution to his pain and suffering. By simply ending the movie with his execution, the focus would remain there. I suspect the movie will at least strongly hint at the resurrection, although I'd prefer a starker ending. Then again one of my favorite endings is in Easy Rider.

[Belial]

God forbid we be forced to have the story of Christ told as it was and not portraying him as gay or a fraud.

Face reality- we possess very little information about the way Christ was 2,000 years ago- and most of what we do know is heavily biased by one agenda or another.

[Ff--150]

Leading a few to the Lord hehe--via hollywood...

[matthew_the_brain]

I cannot wait for this to make it to the cinema. Imagine the countless number of souls Mr Gibson is going to convert, and imagine how this will transform the American Catholic Church, after years in a liberal 'dark age'. This movie will transform and bring back the reverance so badly needed at Mass

Say good bye to the goofy clown Masses, and the low content, low intellect homilies.