FR MOVIE REVUE: THE PASSION OF CHRIST (post your comments here)

2/24/04 | FR MOVIE REVIEWERS

[Liz]

All the world is waiting for the powerful message in Mel Gibson's ground-breaking film, The Passion of Christ.

Post here your own personal reactions after seeing the film set to open tomorrow, Ash Wednesday. Passion has previewed in some areas.

Also post reviews and pertinent comments from your state and area's newspapers and publications.

[XJarhead]

Films like "The Greatest Story Ever Told," would seem to be a better overview for the non-Christian.

You're obviously right in that the Passion is not an "overview". It's about as focused as you can get.

What I do think is important even from a secular perspective is to understand exactly what kind of suffering Jesus knowingly endured. Most modern folk have no real conception of the horrible things that can done to the human body, and that were done throughout history. But people back then knew because they saw it, which is one of the things that makes Jesus' sacrifice so powerful to them. I mean, enduring that abuse and forgiving the people who did is in incredibly powerful.

Actually seeing what Jesus endured voluntarily in a far more graphic manner than the sanitized version that traditionally has been portrayed gives the viewer a better perspective on why Jesus' sacrifice had such an impact. And I think that's true regardless of whether or not one approaches the movie from a religious perspective.

I suppose the analogy may be how Saving Private Ryan and the more "modern" wave of war movies helped non-veterans better understand exactly what "war" is, and the scope of the sacrifices made by the guys who fought.

[af_vet_1981]

How difficult is it to say, "He's my dad. I love him. He's wrong about this (the Holocaust and Antisemitism). I love him anyway, just like Jesus loves me."

I'm left thinking that Yeshua of Nazareth has not yet reached Mel with a full impact.

Instead he says
1. "My dad taught me my faith and I believe what he taught me. The man never lied to me in his life," he said, when asked about Hutton's controversial comments. "He lost his mother at two years of age. He lost his father at 15. He went through the Depression. He signed up for World War Two, served his country fighting the forces of fascism. Came back, worked very hard physically, raised a family, put a roof over my head, clothed me, fed me, taught me my faith, loved me. "I love him back. So I'll slug it out, until my heart is black and blue, if anyone ever tries to hurt him."
2. In one statement bound to add fuel to the fire of anti-Semitism charges, Gibson accused "modern secular Judaism" of trying "to blame the Holocaust on the Roman Catholic Church." "It's a lie. And it's revisionism," said Gibson, a follower of Traditionalist Catholicism that still performs the Latin Tridentine mass. "And they've been working on that one for a while."
3. About Frank Rich, the New York Times columnist who implied Gibson's father is "a Holocaust denier," the director had some choice – and inflammatory – words: "I want to kill him. I want his intestines on a stick. I want to kill his dog." Gibson said: "He never denied the Holocaust. He just said there were fewer than 6 million."
4. As proof of his desire to avoid confrontation, Gibson cited his decision to cut a scene in which Caiaphas says "his blood be on us and on our children" soon after Pontius Pilate washes his hands of the captive Christ. "I wanted it in," he said. "My brother said I was wimping out if I didn't include it. But, man, if I included that in there, they'd be coming after me at my house. They'd come to kill me."

[af_vet_1981]

Maybe I'm just too accustomed to being down range. Cheers

I understand that feeling. Cheers.

[SJackson]

"I thought those were the people the film was destined to influence?"...Hmm..do you mean non-believers? If so, then I have to disagree. This film probably was not aimed at them.

I'd tend to agree with your analysis, it's not a complete picture, and IMO likely difficult to understand without some background. However rightly or wrongly the expectations for the film as an evangelical tool are very high.

[Revolting cat!]

Here's a balanced review in today's San Francisco Comical of all places.

Thanks, but no thanks. It sounds like another non-Hollywood extravaganza, shallow, vulgar, violent, just like the Hollywood extravaganzas it tries to outhollywood!

[MineralMan]

"Interesting to hear the comments from an atheist...even if you don't believe in the divinity of Jesus, you can still be astonished by the impact made by this one man...
"

Indeed, and that's the basis of my interest in the overall story. Christianity has, arguably, been the most influential religion in history, since Western civilization has, over the past few hundred years, made the most progress in most areas.

Still, Christianity is the religion of only about 1/3 of the world's population. Islam is second. Hinduism, Buddhism, and secularlism follow, although not necessarily in that order.

Each of the religions has made a powerful impact on the societies which embrace it. That is the reason religion is a central interest of mine...one that I have studied, now, for almost 40 years.

[Mudboy Slim]

"Who cares what a so-called "Godless Athiest" thinks about the The Passion of Christ."

I--for one--am interested...you don't have to believe in the divinity of Christ--which I do--to recognize him as a great and influential man. How this movie affects an atheist is interesting to me.

Hope that don't make me a turd, too...LOL!!

FReegards...MUD

[Mudboy Slim]

Thanks fer adding yer thoughts to this thread...MUD

[SJackson]

What Mel doesn't have to do is say "I disagree with my father about the Holocaust". Anyone obviously can draw that conclusion because of the difference in their opinions, but Mel himself does not directly denigrate his father.

I understand his silence, but Hutton has pushed his son very close to the line, particularly to the extent that he and his ilk use use the movie promote his views.

The "Honor thy Father" issue is a straw man, I can't imagine his faith requires or even allows him to commit a transgression (not saying he's there yet) on that basis.

Other public figures associated with or commenting on the film who refuse to condemn Hutton and his antisemitic beliefs (which Mel characterizes as a sin)should be condemned.

[MineralMan]

"Thanks fer adding yer thoughts to this thread...MUD"

Thanks for hearing what I'm actually saying, rather than what you think I'm thinking. I hope that makes some sense. [grin]

[SJackson]

who refuse to condemn Hutton

should have been

who refuse to condemn or disassociate the film and it's controversy from him

[X-Servative]

I saw the film last night and it has helped me truly realize my faith. After watching what Jesus endured, there is only one explanation as to why His disciples would risk the same torture by spreading the word…He is the Son of God. This film is proof that a picture paints a thousand words.

The images of Christ being crucified interspliced with the last supper, telling his disciples that there is no greater gift than for a man to lay down his life for his friends.... Then, as He's dying on the cross, asking God to forgive those who have done this to Him. The ultimate display of love and forgiveness.

Note about violence: Yes the violence is intense at times; however, I was expecting a lot worse. Much of the violence plays out in your mind, as you hear all the sounds and see the aftermath of the abuse Jesus took, which is brutal, to say the least. And yes, some of the scenes are graphic, but the impact is not that you see every lashing, but rather, the bloody pulp they made of Christ.

[cupcakes]

Hey Min, it is awesome you are keeping an open mind about it. Something to consider though is this movie also seems to be a reminder once again of how poor political leaders can insight mob violence and disdain when threatened. I think this is an important lesson right now, one that even non-Christians can appreciate.

[MineralMan]

"I'd tend to agree with your analysis, it's not a complete picture, and IMO likely difficult to understand without some background. However rightly or wrongly the expectations for the film as an evangelical tool are very high.
"

Well, few in this country are unfamiliar with the story of Jesus. The story is pretty well-distributed, to say the least. That said, I think the expectations regarding evangelism for this film are more toward a rekindling of spirit among those already Christian.

Rekindle that spirit and you're likely to get people more interested in evangelizing others. The film, itself, doesn't seem to be the best way to convert non-believers, in my opinion. However, as we see from some news stories, lots of folks are taking the opportunity to go from seeing the film and spread the word.

In that sense, I'm sure the film will encourage evangelism.

[MineralMan]

"Something to consider though is this movie also seems to be a reminder once again of how poor political leaders can insight mob violence and disdain when threatened. I think this is an important lesson right now, one that even non-Christians can appreciate.
"

Good point. Fortunately, we live in the USA, where differences in religious beliefs are protected by our very Constitution. Every citizen is free to believe in whatever religion they find convincing, or in none at all.

Preserving that freedom is paramount in my mind.

[FBD]

bump and bookmark

[cinFLA]

One example, the British burning the congregation in a church in the film "Patriot". Never happened! Why would he put it in the movie?

It's a movie. Ninety percent of the things in the move never happened.

[far sider]

(OK. I'll get into the act, too.)

Peter (who was an eyewitness) and Paul (who may have been also) didn't think it was a myth.

Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

[conservonator]

(RottenTomatoes is *the* internet resource for film reviews.)

Damn straight, you should see what they thought of Kill Bill Vol.I. They know how violence is supposed to be used in a movie.

[far sider]

I am an atheist. That's my personal lack of belief only. I've studied all the major religions of the world because I am interested in the social reasons religions exist. To that end, I read a great deal of scripture and discussions of scripture. It's an interest of mine...

Oh, I see. So you're a Presbyterian minister.


Just kidding. Some of us Christians appreciate opinions in this thread.