I'll forgive Mel for the "Pieta staging." When I first saw it, I was stunned by its beauty. It had to be included.
Part of me wanted to tell you what my thoughts were about The Passion of the Christ last night when we got home from the theater. But there was too much to digest. I didn't even want to share my initial comments with my husband...any words I could use are inept and they come from too deep a place...they are still coming to the surface.
The theater was completely filled. I saw many people I know from many different churches. Some churches had bought and were buying blocks of 20 to 30 tickets for members. The crowd waiting to enter the theater 45 min. before the 6:15pm showing was incredibly varied in every way.
Please keep in mind that the words I am about to use to describe this movie and my reaction to it seem to me not quite right. I've even checked my thesaurus to try to find stronger, more true, more accurate words but they just don't exist.
It is the first time I've sat to the end of a movie's credits. I'm glad I did: there is a choral "amen, amen," at the very end which my soul needed to hear. Contrary to many others' experiences, 95% of the moviegoers in Montpelier, Vermont got up as soon as the credits began to role, put on their jackets, and left. They were not silent, but they were subdued. I couldn't move; it seemed like a profanity to do so. I couldn't speak; even telling my seatmates to go on without me seemed profane. I didn't want to speak, to move, or to ever leave. I didn't want to disturb the balance of emotion - which might be called true love or deep passion or sublime ecstasy - the film had given rise to in me.
The Passion of the Christ is the most beautiful film I have ever seen. It may be the greatest work of art I have ever had the privilege to experience, and it is certainly the highest form of art devoted to my Savior in history. Thank you, Mr. Gibson.
I understand now what it means to be a Catholic. I think I am one.
As a born-again believer I have struggled with the Catholic doctrines of Mary. I don't have to struggle any more. She was and remains the mother of my Lord, Jesus Christ. Mary suffered more than any woman in all of history, all with the strength (utter frailty) of faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
There is not one scene or line of text that I can disparage in this film. It could not be more perfect.
Asides:
I loved every scene with Claudia.
I believe the crow at the crosses scene is merely another depiction in this film of the way in which the torment of unbelievers and blasphemers begins before physical death. It is pictured in Judas' torments as well. There really isn't any other way these torments could have been depicted without scenes in hell itself.
I took the demonic 'baby' in Satan's arms in the road to Calvary scene as an image of the Beast/antichrist (who is still to come in history), Satan's utterly false imitation of the Son.
Comparing the 'violence' of this movie to that of war films is another in a long line of disturbing lies that are designed to prevent people from viewing the beauty of Christ's passion. I did not have to close my eyes or turn away once, yet I have done so with Saving Private Ryan, and was so disgusted by Gladiator that I refused to watch the last three-quarters of that movie. There is no comparison between typical Hollywood violence and the redeeming blood Christ shed for sinners. It is a false comparison.
I believe the 'anti-Semitic' charges against this movie are purposefully designed to prevent God's Holy, Chosen People, the Jews, from seeing it. This depiction of the passion of the Christ will save souls. A Jew who would not dream of reading the New Covenant/Testament, if not held captive by the false charges against it, will see this movie and understand that the Messiah has come and his name is Yeshua.
A hard-hearted person will find no glory here, will not see the majesty, will continue in his sin and darkness.
I sobbed and moaned; I cried out the English word 'Come!' without meaning to during the scene in which Jesus tells his disciples that the Holy Spirit will come to help them...but the word in my mind was "Maranatha!"
The languages are perfect and so is the gentle choice of subtitles.
I am changed forever and still finding out in what ways that is so.