"I SAW [Mel Gibson's] THE PASSION" [the attacks are pretty much demonic]

Act One: Writing for Hollywood | 6/26/03 | Barbara Nicolosi

[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.

[GOPJ]

Don't let the left change you. See the movie for it's joy.

I'll see it, just to spite the left and their hateful attacks against the film.

[GOPJ]

Don't let the left change you. See the movie for it's joy.

I'll see it, just to spite the left and their hateful attacks against the film.

[RobbyS]

She said nothing about the photography. If the cinematograper did his job right, that could make all the difference.

[tbird5]

The catholic church was the first to elevate Mary's life and her importance to mankind. The catholic church is the only church that continues to elevate Mary and motherhood. Glad a catholic decided to make this film. Mel understands how important the virgin is.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

MEL GIBSON is Lt. Col. HAL MOORE =


http://www.WeWereSoldiers.com

http://www.LzXRay.com

[Enlightiator]

Oh for Pete's sake! I do hope that's sarcasm on your part, because if not, then you know nothing of the art of movie-making.

Of course it was sarcasm, with a very good point. Don't invoke the "art of movie making" as you put it, and then in then next breath claim "The film is faithful to the Gospel, particularly St. John" as the film reviewer did. I fully understand creative license, although I disagree that using it in telling the story of Jesus is biblical -and if you don't understand why, then you may need to read the last few passages of the bible. I did find this interview with Mel Gibson very impressive: http://www.christiancinema.com/catalog/newsdesk_info.php?newsdesk_id=20

I like Gibson, and he says some wonderful things in the interview I linked to. So if I can somehow stomach the typical catholic idolization of Mary as indicated in the posted movie review ("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." etc.etc.), I may even see the flick.

[LadyDoc]

http://www.ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/dload1.asp?rafile=wo031403.ra&source=frmselectseries.asp&seriesID=&T1=the%20passion
The World Over
Host: Raymond Arroyo w/ Actor/Director Mel Gibson, music from Natalie MacMaster & John McDermott
Date Produced: 3/14/03
Description: Academy award winner Mel Gibson talks about his latest project, The Passion, a film covering Christ’s life from Gethsemane to the crucifixion. Natalie MacMaster and John McDermott performed St. Patrick’s day favourites. (encore from last year)

There was also an interview in another program with Jim C. but I can't find that one....yet

[Im Your Huckleberry]

Well, that would, of course, be the primary reason I would see it.

[jla]

FYI (some very interesting discussion pts.)

[Notwithstanding]

I detect jealousy in your comments.

Are you jealous that Jesus would logically love His mother in a special way?

Are you jealous that Mary would love her Son in a special way?

I think you are.

You should not covet.

[Dan from Michigan]

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

I know that. The hard way.

Unfortunatly, I have experience is some of the most ugly type of politics there is. Internal organizational politics.

[Coleus]

I hope this helps.

[RobbyS]

And I'll bet that description of Jesus is missing, too.

[Skywalk]

Relies most heavily on John, eh?

John is the book written in the most time after the death of Jesus. It is also the most pro-Roman in its appraisal of the Jews and the events of Jesus' death(pro-Roman to curry favor with Romans with an eye to put down new Jewish cults)

It is the least reliable of the Gospels and the most explicit in its transmission of the idea of Christ as the literal Son of God.

I'd have preferred an emphasis on the other Gospels, which by being closer in date to Jesus death MIGHT be a bit more reliable.

[Imal]

Obviously my bible must be missing a few pages from the book of John...I don't remember any of these scenes....

You may want to read your bible a little more carefully.

From St. John 19:

38 And after this Joseph of Arimathe'a, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

38a But Mary, mother of Jesus, upon seeing him removed from the cross, did come to him, and held him in her arms.

38b Then, as she held the body of Jesus, she did look into the camera, with a kind of "Look what you've done"/This is for you" expression.

38c And the super creepy Satan character did gnash her teeth and shake her fist in rage, for her anger was great, and the spirits of demons were in her, and she ran from that place, called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Gol'gotha, and was seen no more.

38d And the camera did dolly back, while Mary's theme was cued, and the camera did pan left to show Mary and Jesus, as part of the tableau of Gol'gotha, and create an Oscar moment.

38e Then the Director spake thus, "It is finished", and said, "Where is my latte? Verily, verily, I know I ordered a latte!". And the production crew tooketh five.

It is all there for those who care to look.

[Slyfox]

I can't wait to see this film.

[RobbyS]

Then again, ignoring the literary nature of the Bible is a bad practice. Reading Paul is like reading one side of an exchange of letters. Some letters attributed to Paul have a very different voice. My(Methodist) wife is making a project of reading the Bible through. She made an interesting comment: that so often the story just stops abruptly. That's why she prefers reading the Old Testament to the New.

[Polycarp]

which by being closer in date to Jesus death MIGHT be a bit more reliable.

I don't think Christians will have such scruples about the use of John as you try to express here. The Jesus Seminar folks would probably give you a thumbs up on your points here though.

[DPB101]

Mel is shoring up Western Civilization against the rats who are gnawing at the foundations. One doesn't even have to be Christian to appreciate that.

[Tennessee_Bob]

You Protestants should REALLY try reading your Bibles sometime, instead of reading your prejudices.

Hmmm...considering that you're talking prejudice here, maybe you should rethink/rephrase that particular comment.