"After my first day on the cross, I had borderline hypothermia"
huh?
Sorry you don't understand. The guy was tied practically naked to a cross in FRIGID weather for 15 days, he had borderline hypothermia, they had heaters blasting on him that burned his skin. I find that to be poor treatment of an actor.
Wouldn't it have been more sensible to do those difficult scenes in a warmer climate? Mel Gibson, as the producer, had a responsibility to see that the working conditions were better. Was it all just to save a few bucks? They could have done those outdoor scenes ANYWHERE.
They're shooting the movie in Southern Italy, a warm yet moderate climate. They've found a town that looks exactly like Jerusalem at the time of the Christ. The location is virtually the only place in the world where the movie could be shot, it had nothing to do with "saving bucks." Several other biblical epics have been filmed here in the past. This is not Siberia.
Caviezel knew what he was getting into when he took on the project, and he was willing to do what it took. If this movie is even a tenth as great as it sounds like, Caviezel will get his reward both here on Earth for the success of the movie and in heaven for the souls that he will be bringing to Christ.
Here is a website put up by the town where they are filming which can give you more information about the production and the location:
Matera - The Passion
Mel specifically chose that location, not only for it's resemblence of Jeruselem, but the particular lighting in that time of year. It could not be shot just anywhere.. Chirst in the Virgin Islands just wouldn't have cut it.
They brought in the heaters for him, Jim also was outfitted with a long down jacket to wear between takes (not mentioned in this interview, but there are publicity photos).
Too bad Mel didn't have a special phone line into the local weather guy to turn down the wind to knock off the wind chill in December. /sarcasm
Did you miss the part where Mel called Jim back the next day (after agreeing to take the part) and tried to talk him out if it? About how difficult the part was going to be?
Gibson did not hold a gun to Caviezel's head to do this role. Had you heard the EWTN interview that Caviezel did a few months back, you would've understood where Jim was coming from when he describes his "sufferings."
Jim takes it spiritually, and with a deeper understanding of what Jesus went through.
You've obviously never been around a movie set. It isn't all plush surroundings. Gibson and Caviezel obviously have an excellent working relationship, and much respect for each other. Jim is a big boy, and could take care of himself.
As for you blaming Mel about his "treatment" of his actors, get off it. If I were you, I'd be a little more discriminating about outragous comments like "to save a few bucks" when it comes to making a movie . You shell out the $25 million and then look after your actors in the best way you possibly can.