Gibson Receives Standing Ovation on Leno

NewsMax.com ^ | 2/27/04 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

Mel Gibson appeared on Jay Leno’s "Tonight Show" – and was greeted by the live audience with a prolonged standing ovation.

Gibson’s appearance on the top-rated late-night program came on the heels of new box office results showing that his new film, "The Passion of the Christ," may be one of the biggest hits of all time.

But box office success hasn’t stopped controversy from swirling around the religious epic.

"Some people thought it was a bad idea," Gibson told Leno about his desire to do the movie on Jesus’ death. The actor said anytime one touches upon politics or religion, that person runs the risk of touching a nerve.

"I didn’t expect to hit a main artery," Gibson said to chuckles from the audience.

Gibson said his film first germinated over a dozen years ago. He said he was unfazed about Hollywood’s criticism of his work.

He said that he discovered in Tinseltown that "you can get a shiv between the shoulder blades and it’s done with a smile."

Still, Gibson said he was shocked by the "pre-judgment and condemnation” which began over a year ago – before anyone had even seen the film.

He told America’s favorite comedian that he was surprised by the attacks against him; including the charge he was an anti-Semite.

"It’s wrong, it’s unconscionable,” he said.

Leno questioned Gibson about the film’s violence.

Gibson readily admitted the film is violent and deserved the R-rating it received. But he added that the violence was not "gratuitous” and, in his opinion, drew a different reaction from audiences who watch, for example, horror films.

Gibson said the film’s message is one of tolerance. He told Leno he chose actor James Caviezel to play Jesus because he projected both a childish innocence and masculinity – consistent with the Biblical Jesus.

Gibson’s decision to produce "Passion” may have earned him at least one fan in Hollywood.

"Thanks for the courage of your convictions,” Leno told Gibson as he concluded his interview.

[luckystarmom]

The San Jose Mercury Newspaper has a horrible review of the movie saying the movie was anti-Semetic. However, online they have a place for people to write comments about the movie. Most of the comments are very positive about the movie, and were blasting the paper for it's review.

The comments were great.

[philosofy123]

It is MANDATORY for any person in the media to preface mentioning the name of the film with “The CONTROVERCIAL” film, the Passion of the Christ.

Granted, "Some" paranoid Jews object to it. Jews represent 3% of America, and paranoid Jews represent perhaps one tenth of that? So how is it that the objection of such a few makes it mandatory for all Christian reporters to preface the name of the film with the qualification of "controversial"? These so called Christians in the media, who don't have the balls to vocally support their religion, will be denied in haven!

[bootless]

I loved Frequency, too. Quaid and Caveziel were both outstanding. And I was a BIG Mets fan in 69 - really a magical season.

Of course, Quaid was fantastic in The Rookie.

I wonder how his new movie, The Alamo, will be? He's a native Texan, so it BETTER be right!

[bootless]

Oh the Murky News is a train wreck of a newspaper. I'll look for the comments, thanks!

[bray]

Most of us idiots wouldn't go to a theater to watch the soft porn that Sodomwood cranks out if you paid us. This movie is going to be a Blockbluster and no children in the audiences?? Praise Jesus!!

Pray for W and The Passion of The Christ

[agrace]

He was great in Frequency too. I recommend owning that one on DVD.

[Salamander]

Darn.
I must've missed that.
I noticed Leno went from snide jokes to ultra-polite as soon Mel came on.
Good.....:))

[Howlin]

Thanks. I couldn't get it straight in my mind!

[steve86]

You know, I've been very pessimistic over the direction in which our nation and its people have been heading

Very well written post and I agree with you. But don't be surprised if people like Jorge come on and tell you that things have never looked better; that you are a loser for perceiving any flaw in the Great Bush Society.

[mel]

Don't you know liberals hate the internet?

[risk]

Thanks for the resources. It's hard for me to understand what they mean, but I think I'm grasping it. Basically, Latin can and is used today in many congregations, right? Other "traditional" practices (such as?) are not in violation of modern Church teachings, I can gather.

Is Gibson an admitted sedevacantist? I take it that the Tridentine Roman Missal may still be practiced, and is even welcomed by the today's church leaders. I had understood that one of Vatican II's reforms in allowing the missal to be conducted in the primary language of a congregation was simply to make worship more accessible for those who preferred the vernacular.

Apparently some sedevacantists, possibly Mel's father Hutton, believe there has been no pope since the conclave that elected John XXIII was "subverted by a Jewish/Masonic conspiracy." This quote describing Hutton's attitudes is taken from a critical article in Catholic Citizens of Illinois called Tribune Media Turns to Dissenters to Mislead Catholics: Sneering Through Gibson's PASSION.

[RJayneJ]

Thanks for the nomination! };^D)

[.30Carbine]

(Out of curiosity, I wonder how many parents are taking their children to see this?)

We went with a single mother friend on opening night. She is bringing her 13-year-old twins today and we will accompany them. We can't wait to see it again. Every parent I know is seeing the movie first, before deciding whether they will bring their children. I wish more parents would preview/judge the appropriateness of the content of EVERY film and TV show, as well as that of songs, books, and other forms of artistic expression before giving their permission to their children to have at it. I also wish more parents would discuss the content of these things after the fact with their children in the same way/to the same extent that parents are discussing "The Passion" with their offspring. Perhaps this movie will be the beginning of such a movement. ( :