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"I SAW [Mel Gibson's] THE PASSION" [the attacks are pretty much demonic]
Act One: Writing for Hollywood | 6/26/03 | Barbara Nicolosi

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.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Extended News
KEYWORDS: catholiclist
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To: Polycarp
I remember the lines as a kid fot the 10 Commandments and Ben Hur.......I hope this produces the same reaction just to let the libs know its not a fad.........this is real....
41 posted on 06/26/2003 7:35:11 PM PDT by CGASMIA68
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To: Enlightiator
John 19.25-30. Blessed Mary was at the foot of the cross throughout the crucifixion. Are you going to tell me Christ's own mother would not have waited for Him to be brought down to hold His Body and tell Him goodbye? See also Luke 23.50-56, Mark 15.42-47, and Matthew 27.57-61, where it is said Mary and Mary Magdalene helped Joseph of Arimathea bury Jesus.

You Protestants should REALLY try reading your Bibles sometime, instead of reading your prejudices. The ignorance and disdain I constantly see displayed about Blessed Mary is appalling!

42 posted on 06/26/2003 7:37:07 PM PDT by Hermann the Cherusker
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To: Callahan
I think they won't dare rip it to shreds. They will comment nicely on it but not hype it. It will do extremely well though. But expect it to be ignored for awards. And on another line: I still think the made for TV production of the last days of Jesus done back in the 70's and that is shown every Easter on one of the Networks (and now the History Channel) is a good piece of work. I look forward to comparing the two.
43 posted on 06/26/2003 7:38:32 PM PDT by Burkeman1
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To: Polycarp
I heard KFI-AM's Bill Handel (who is Jewish) discuss The Passion this morning. The issue was: Are the Gospels inherently anti-Semitic because they portray some Jews as participating in the death of Christ?"

Handel thought that because it's historically true that some Jews did participate in Jesus' death, that it's not anti-Semitic. However, Handel's father thinks that protraying Jews as "Christ killer" is anti-Semitic even if historically true. (Handel got his father to admit that yeah, some Jewish leaders at the time did participate in bring Christ before Herod and Pilate).

Of course, it's nonsense to say that "the Jews killed Christ." But it's also nonsense to say that "the Romans killed Christ." In truth, a few individuals participated in his death, some Jews, some Romans. In fact, according to the Gospels, Jesus came to die. He didn't even defend himself against Pilate.

This fear of portraying bad individuals of whatever race or religion is just the usual manifestation PC sensitivity. People should get over it.

BTW, I thought The Last Temptation Of Christ was the most believable (and pro-Christ) film I've seen to date. I don't understand why so many Chirstians were upset over it. It humanized Christ (in a good sense), unlike all those other films that portray him like a fantasized caricature.

44 posted on 06/26/2003 7:39:24 PM PDT by Commie Basher
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To: Pyro7480
Silly person...don't put words in my mouth. I never said Catholics were pagans.

However, the practice of attributing characteristics and practices to Mary that are not in the Bible can lead to bad theology, by Catholic, Protestant...whomever.

45 posted on 06/26/2003 7:41:34 PM PDT by what's up
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To: Polycarp
God bless Mel Gibson!
46 posted on 06/26/2003 7:41:36 PM PDT by Dajjal
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To: Polycarp
Just as when a stupid film is boycotted, the hype of hated agsainst this film will ensure that it is widely seen.

And apparently, once it is seen, anyone with sense will be moved by its artistic quality, and anyone with faith will be moved by its content.
47 posted on 06/26/2003 7:43:30 PM PDT by Notwithstanding
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To: DannyTN
Awhile back, a good friend of mine(I believe he's Evangelical Presbyterian) told me "Jesus doesn't care about politics". It really set in with me.

It's tough. Especially with the left wing politics(For the record, I'm Catholic), especially when I know for a fact they are wrong.

48 posted on 06/26/2003 7:44:53 PM PDT by Dan from Michigan ("Say Hey! Hey! Damn Yankee!")
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To: Polycarp
You honestly didn't expect this film to be reviewed on its' merits, did you? /sarcasm

Mel Gibson has done something that means a lot to him, and there will be many thousands, if not a couple of million people, who will appreciate his labor. Good for Mel! Will I go see it? Probably not. I take a quiet approach towards my beliefs. These days I prefer mindless drivel from Adam Sandler and Jim Carrey, because I want to laugh...

49 posted on 06/26/2003 7:45:49 PM PDT by TheSpottedOwl (America...love it or leave it. Canada is due north-Mexico is directly south...start walking.)
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To: Burkeman1
Are you speaking of "Jesus of Nazareth" by Zeferelli? That is one of the finest, if not the finest work done about Jesus, IMO.
50 posted on 06/26/2003 7:45:58 PM PDT by what's up
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To: Polycarp
Wow! I cannot wait to see it. I rarely like any movie I see, because they are usually intellectually insulting, immoral trash. But this sounds great.

Sometimes, at the consecration of the host (latin rite, not Nervous Disorder Wrong) it's all I can do to keep from silently crying. I can't imagine what this film will do to me.

Dominus vobiscum
51 posted on 06/26/2003 7:48:05 PM PDT by Thorondir
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To: what's up
Sorry. Sometimes I see similar things all the time that I forget who said what. I think the issue is that of the Bible itself. Who decided what was going to be in the Bible and what wasn't? Humans decided that. Before this was decided, there were probably a lot of sources for early Christians about Jesus, the people who knew Him, and the first leaders of the Church. The Early Church Fathers referred to them. So it is obvious that even though the Bible and its components are divinely-inspired, it doesn't mean that teachings that derive "outside" of it must automatically be excluded. Later humans decided to take some books out that didn't go along with their theological perspective. Depending on your point of view, this was a good idea, or a bad one. So as you can see, the issue(s) are very complex.
52 posted on 06/26/2003 7:49:52 PM PDT by Pyro7480 (+ Vive Jesus! (Live Jesus!) +)
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To: what's up
Yes- that is the production. It seems we end up watching it every year after an early lamb Easter dinner. My recently converted Japanese sister in law was a little upset that the History Channel was showing it with commercials this year. I seem to remember that even the Networks would show it uncut without commercial interuption.
53 posted on 06/26/2003 7:50:12 PM PDT by Burkeman1
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To: Polycarp
I won't miss this film. I like all of Mel Gibson's historical films. His attention to detail is wonderful.
54 posted on 06/26/2003 7:50:36 PM PDT by janetgreen
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To: what's up
Most of Mary's and Jesus's life was extra-biblical.
55 posted on 06/26/2003 7:51:24 PM PDT by Notwithstanding
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To: what's up
See #42.
56 posted on 06/26/2003 7:52:05 PM PDT by Canticle_of_Deborah
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To: All
Does anyone know if this movie includes the Resurrection as well? I haven't heard it mentioned,
only that it depicts Jesus' last 12 hours. It would have to
be 3 days later to include the Resurrection, wouldn't it.
How could the story be complete without it?
57 posted on 06/26/2003 7:53:42 PM PDT by b9
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To: Joy Angela; conservogirl; Fred Mertz; VOA; Mia T
Here's a ..GOD is LOVE.. Bump 4-U
58 posted on 06/26/2003 7:57:16 PM PDT by ALOHA RONNIE (Vet-Battle of IA DRANG-1965 www.LZXRAY.comt)
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To: Dan from Michigan
"Awhile back, a good friend of mine(I believe he's Evangelical Presbyterian) told me "Jesus doesn't care about politics".

When I was in MBA school, I took a course named "power and politics" because I knew I was weak in that area. And I knew it was a skill I needed, to survive in the corporate world.

The first thing I learned, was that EVERYTHING IS POLITICAL.

Every decision that gets made in any organization whether it's family or church or corporation or government or whatever is political. Decisions are made by whomever has the formal or informal authority to do so. And informal authority can take a lot of forms.

What gives politics a bad name is when unethical techniques are involved. And politics often includes conflict and how that conflict is handled by respective parties can make politics distasteful as well.

But the use of ethical techniques and respectful conflict resolution is the hallmark of good leadership.

Jesus didn't come to set up an earthly administration. But to say he didn't care about politics is wrong. He ran the moneytraders out of the temple. And He wasn't very diplomatic about it either. He fought a lot of spiritual battles. He fought for his disciples through prayer. He excorcised political skill with pharisees when they were constantly trying to trap him. And He exercised both formal authority and informal authority brilliantly.

The church needs people who are willing to seek the will of God, do what's right and fight for the church, fight the spiritual battles. Paul didn't teach about spiritual armor for nothing.

59 posted on 06/26/2003 7:59:21 PM PDT by DannyTN (Note left on my door by a pack of neighborhood dogs.)
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To: TheSpottedOwl
What this film does, not even having been released, is to bring to the surface, for all to see and consider, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When beliefs become so internalized and so unpolite in common discussion - that we feel we must be personal and private about them, that we dare not bring them to any public discussion, those same beliefs become, for a society, meaningless. This film seems to break at least one barrier.
60 posted on 06/26/2003 8:01:22 PM PDT by AD from SpringBay
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