[Tench_Coxe]

Thanks. Yes, some of the scenes were reminescent of Carvaggio. I had one other small quibble. When mary is holding Jesus after he is taken down, there was a little too much 'acting' to resemble the Pieta. The look on Mary's face, however, was haunting.

Also, I think the portrayal of Satan's role was excellent, and captured the nature of evil rather well.

[Liz]

I thought Maia Morganstern ---the Romanian actress--in the role of Mary was an incomparable player. She was able to convey so much emotion without even raising an eyebrow. She didn't look like the Mary seen in most religious paintings, but she looked perfect for the part.

I'll forgive Mel for the "Pieta staging." When I first saw it, I was stunned by its beauty. It had to be included.

[Liz]

.....I think the portrayal of Satan's role was excellent, and captured the nature of evil rather well......

Mel has said he was inspired by one of the greatest books on ths subject: The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis.

Excellent plot devices were employed to reinforce the many mutations of evil.

....The classic ugliness of the satanic image after Judas betrays Jesus.

....The soft, enticing voice of the androgynous being tempting Christ in the Garden we then see with a maggot emerging from its nostril.

....The scene with evil moving effortlessly among the crowd.

....And the scene with the "baby" caressing its "mother" was truly unnerving.

[Aquinasfan]

Also, I think the portrayal of Satan's role was excellent, and captured the nature of evil rather well.

Yes. Satan wasn't so much evil as hollow, a perverse, twisted shell of a being.