Ebert & RoeperTo Air Exclusive Early Review of 'The Passion of the Christ'

Prnewswire ^ | Saturday February 21, 12:00 pm ET

[Brian Mosely]

Renowned Critics To Air Exclusive Early Review of 'The Passion of the Christ' on 'Ebert & Roeper,' February 21-22, 2004

Saturday February 21, 12:00 pm ET

BURBANK, Calif., Feb. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- After months of intense controversy that reached all the way to the Vatican, this weekend America's most prominent film critics, Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper, are set to air an exclusive early review of the completed version of Mel Gibson's new film "The Passion of the Christ." This special edition of "Ebert & Roeper" will air in national syndication this weekend February 21-22, 2004. (Check local listings or http://tvplex.go.com/buenavista/ebertandroeper/today.html for time and station information)

Concerning the film and the controversy surrounding its release, Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper had the following remarks:

* ROEPER: "This is the most powerful, important and by far the most graphic interpretation of Christ's final hours ever put on film. Mel Gibson is a masterful storyteller, and he has created a 2,000-year-old world brimming with authentic details."

* EBERT: "I was also deeply moved by 'The Passion of the Christ', which in excruciating details does follow the blood-soaked Stations of the Cross. Christianity has focused on the physical wounds of Jesus to show that he suffered, as well as died, for man's sins, and this movie makes it real."

* ROEPER: "As for concerns of anti-Semitism: Ciaphas does lead the call for Jesus to die, and Pontius Pilate is depicted as more conflicted than most historical records indicate. But other temple leaders question the rush to condemn Jesus, and it's the Roman soldiers who are portrayed as sadistic animals throughout this film. This movie does not blame all Jews past and present for the death of Jesus, a descendant of Judah."

* EBERT: "It's a very great film. It's the only religious film I've seen with the exception of The Gospel According to Matthew, by Pasolini, that really seems to deal directly with what happened instead of with all kinds of sentimental eyes, cleaned up, post card versions of it."

* ROEPER: "With 'The Passion of the Christ,' I know there'll be protest groups in front of the theater. I hope they at least go into the theater and see the movie first, and then decide if they want to protest the actual film."

* EBERT: "I think the controversy was very premature and was based on people that hadn't see the film, and who are going to be a little surprised at what's actually in the film."

[don-o]

"Moved to Chat."

Is that where the "Passion" threads are sent now?

More and more, it seems that the film is "Breaking News." Huge advance sales. And the most well know film critics giving a favorable review?

Why not keep it on the big board?

[Prime Choice]

I've only seen trailers of this film and read the wealth of press on the subject, but I've got a very strong feeling that not only will I see this film in the theaters, I will also be buying the DVD.

Always liked Mel Gibson. That has since grown into some serious respect.

[woofie]

AMEN

[jocon307]

WOW, this is amazing, thanks for posting this. Movie critics don't come anymore mainstream than these two. I'm completey surprised that they would say such positive things about it.

I have seen the TV ad for it, it looks pretty graphic, and that's just from the ad. But I resolved a while ago that I would see it, and so I shall.

[Leroy S. Mort]

Be interesting to see how Ebert compares "Passion" with his generally favorable review of Scorcese's "The Last Temptation of Christ" where he summarized:

"Here is a film that engaged me on the subject of Christ's dual nature, that caused me to think about the mystery of a being who could be both God and man. I cannot think of another film on a religious subject that has challenged me more fully. The film has offended those whose ideas about God and man it does not reflect. But then, so did Jesus."

[Monty22]

I don't know why people say Pilate is shown as 'more' conflicted. He's shown as quite conflicted in 2 of the 4 Gospels already.

[js1138]

Seems to be back in news

[BigBobber]

...and it's the Roman soldiers who are portrayed as sadistic animals throughout this film.

Ah hah! The film is anti-Roman.

[don-o]

bump

[Paul Atreides]

Pushing aside the religious aspects of the movie, I think that the accuracy of the violence perpetrated in Jesus's time is important, especially when so many people are quick to portray our President as a Nazi. Then again, I guess, to those people, someone not listening to their screeching is much worse than what Jesus endured.

[jackbill]

I hope that Mel makes a billion on this film.

[VOA]

I don't know why people say Pilate is shown as 'more' conflicted. He's shown as
quite conflicted in 2 of the 4 Gospels already.

Adjectives can really be slippery things. But from what I see in the King James version,
I'd say that at the least Pilate was baffled as to why this Jesus fellow
was held as being more worthy of death than a real criminal like Barabas (sp?)...
And the "washing of the hands" tells me (IMHO) that even if he's sent many Jews
to their death by crucifixion, he was REALLY bothered by this event.

Sorry I can't recall the source, but I think that on one of the radio shows discussing
"The Passion", it was mentioned that Pilate was eventually recalled to Rome
because he got in hot water for having too many people crucified.
If this is a historical verifiable fact (along with the Gospel accounts)...
he certainly was a guy who believed in capital punishment...
but was left totally conflicted about why a carpenter from Galilee with a
particular theological POV should actually be executed.

[contessa machiaveli]

they're beyond mainstream, i'd call them (especially ebert) very PC.
obviously they were touched.

[Bommer]

Am I the only one who thought that Scorcese's "The Last Temptation of Christ" was the biggest piece of crap he has ever made as a director? Man that movie sucked!

[uncbob]

Always liked Mel Gibson. That has since grown into some serious respect.

I thought Letal Weapon ( never watched the entire thing) was typical Hollywood glorify violence slop

[DeFault User]

Ah hah! The film is anti-Roman.

I think an argument can be made that the offer of vinegar (painkiller?) and the spear in the side were acts of mercy.

[Leroy S. Mort]

Probably not. But at least you saw it. Most of the people who absolutely despised the movie never saw a frame of it. Personally I thought it was well done, but not as good as the book, which I still think is a minor masterpiece.

[RightWingAtheist]

My impression of the Last Temptation of Christ was that it was sincerely and skillfully made by a genuinely believing man, but ultimately uninvolving, which was the same problem I had with Scorcese's Kundun. I don't share Scorcese or Gibson's spiritual views, but I definitely resepect their talent and sincerity in trying to fullfil their artisitc vision through expressions of their faith.

[lepton]

If this movie is as it has been portrayed, I find it difficult to see how video excerpts could do it justice.