Posted on 06/26/2003 7:02:56 PM PDT by Polycarp
I SAW THE PASSION
Barbara Nicolosi
6/26/03
So I was at a private screening at Icon Productions yesterday, and got to see a rough cut of The Passion. There were about twelve people in the room, including Mel Gibson, his producing partner Steve and four or five other Icon staffers. After the screening, we talked to Mel and friends for about an hour. (As cool as that was, the quality of the film was such that the celebrity stuff was completely gone from the moment. I can't explain it really, except that it would be like standing in the Sistine Chapel next to, well, someone like Mel Gibson. Great art is a great leveler....) The rough cut we saw obviously didn't have the final score or special effects, and there were many more sub-titles than they will have in the finished film.
So, here's my take...
The Passion is a stunning work of art. It is a devout, act of worship from Mel and his collaborators - in the way that Handel's Messiah and Notre Dame were artistic acts of worship in previous times.
Let's get the controversy out of the way right at the top. The film is faithful to the Gospel, particularly St. John. It is no more anti-Semitic than is the Gospel. There are at least two members of the Sanhedrin who come forward to protest on Jesus' behalf during the sham trial. The Romans are just as guilty of cruelty and hatred against Jesus in the film. And best of all is a final look right into the camera of Mary, holding her dead Son. She is looking at all of us with a kind of , "Look what you've done"/This is for you" expression. A cinematic Pieta worthy of Michelangelo.
Having seen the film now, I can only marvel that the attacks are pretty much demonic. Hopefully, the devil will end up spitefully biting his own tail on this one-- as he does in The Passion by inciting on the executioners of Christ, and thus being complicit in his own ultimate defeat. The Passion is high art. It is the greatest movie about Jesus ever made. In the discussion following the film, Mel and co. were asking us how mainstream theater audiences would react to the film. I told them, "Who cares? What you have here is so much more than just a product to sell. It will live forever, regardless of whether it is a commercial success for you or not."
For those of us who love Jesus, The Passion is devastating to watch. It is so good, I almost couldn't stand it. There is one moment on the way of the cross sequence, in which the whole tragedy unfolding devolves into a vicious riot of hatred between Romans and Jews with the Savior on the ground in the middle of it getting it from both sides. It was so frenzied and terrible, I wanted to run from the room. But then, the film again finds Mary, Jesus's Mother on the sidelines, and her presence gets us through it. Kind of like how Mary's presence helped Jesus get through it, it seemed to me.
The film is lovingly Marian. Mary is perfectly portrayed here. She is contrasted repeatedly with the really super creepy Satan character, who is also a woman (something for the feminist theologians here? heh heh...).
The film is strongly Eucharistic. There is a beautiful juxtaposition of images that cuts from the stripping on Calvary to the unwrapping of the bread to be used at the last Supper. Fabulous stuff.
Every Christian needs to see this film at least once. Just to remember, in our current comfort zones while evil is closing in, the price that was paid for us. On my way home from the screening, I found myself praying in the car, "Jesus, I'm so sorry, I forgot..." How many films have led you to compunction lately? The Passion is a miracle.
During the season of Lent I will sacrifice for the betterment of my soul, and I can't believe how many people tell me that its better to do nice things for others.
That's a given. Isn't that what we should do everyday of our lives?
The self sacrifice doesn't seem to mean much anymore, and I find that rather sad. The church certainly doesn't try to emphasize that.
We also have a relatively new Catholic Church down the street. Unfortunately the tabernacle is not on the altar. IT's in the back of the church.
That just doesn't make any sense to me.
I may sound a bit dis-enchanted with some of things that I see going on with my church from time to time, but I love the Mass with all my heart.
The celebration/sacrifice for the Eucharist is the finest expression of love I can give.
The Mass is, and has always been, a celebration of the Eucharist - and the Eucharist is a remebrance of the sacrafice that Jesus made. We can be happy that He died for our sins AND appreciate that He died for our sins at the same time.
Having said that, I will agree that some will view the Mass as a social occasion without the deep appreciation that it deserves. This is not necessarily the fault of the Church.
I have never seen a 15th station in any church. Such a practice is not in accordance with Vatican II or the tradition of the Passion, however some individual parishes incorrectly took Vatican II as a license to do almost anything that they wanted to.
I will agree that the resurrected Jesus on the Cross is a bit politically correct. Its just too Protestant. There are still many Churches that have the crucified Christ though.
Another great article. Long but worth it.
Amen.
He's been a public apologist for the forced abortion policy of Red China - so any opinion he might have about the Catholic Church is absolutely meaningless.
I keep meaning to read the book - I'll pass on the movie. I understand that the director included a graphic sexual fantasy as part of the last temptation. I concur that the temptation of a normal family life ("Father, let this cup pass from me") is anything but banal.
LOL! Gotsta love it...
Are you trying to tell me that MOST (Operative word) Catholics actually even follow along in the dried and true order of worship? I have yet to see a bible in the pews of a Catholic Church. The scriptures may be written in the bulletin, but rearely followed. You are truly an exception to the rule when it comes to Catholics and I truely commend you for your faith (no sarcasm present). It is not just the Catholic chuches that have that problem, it is all of the protestant churches I have ever been to as well.
Excellent!
John lived longer. Never look for a zebra when a horse will do.
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