Trailer to Mel Gibson's THE PASSION! (GRAPHIC)

Ain't it cool news ^ | 7/12/03

[Brian Mosely]

Something truly outstanding! The very graphic trailer to Mel Gibson's THE PASSION!

Hey folks, Harry here... Once every now and again a really special project comes along borne out of a passion for the material. We've seen Peter Jackson's passion really come through with his LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy thus far, and well... I've got a feeling that Mel Gibson has that same sort of drive in the making of THE PASSION. While I'm not a deeply religious person, I can not help, but acknowledge the ingrained power to the story of Christ's final hours. Simply, as one film called it, it's the greatest story ever told, or at least one of them.

The story of Christ in those final hours is one of pain and torment and astonishing spirit. From the images in this trailer that was sent to me, I can't help but believe in Mel's vision for the film. Shot in the original language of the time and allegedly being shone sans subtitles, I really feel this is not only powerful filmmaking, but a bold artistic step forward for Mel. I also feel that it has the chance to really become a bit of a phenomenon in theaters that play it, and can't believe it hasn't been picked up by a studio yet. I mean, the story behind the making of this film in its original "dead" languages and the opportunity to have Mel Gibson on every talk show in the world talking about the decisions and reasons he had for making the film this way... Well, I think it has a wider audience than anyone is currently expecting. Here's the trailer that was sent to me... See what you think, though 10 to 1, it will crash my server, so be quick!

Click Here For THE PASSION!

[Mr.Clark]

I'm pretty sure they decided to add subtitles.

[Alberta's Child]

Exactly. And you can understand exactly why this simple fact would be such a compelling piece of evidence in support of the Shroud's authenticity. If you look at just about any piece of religious art that dates back to the Middle Ages, you'll find that in the crucifixion of Christ the nails are shown in the palms of His hands. Therefore, if someone from that era were intent on making a forgery for the sake of duping the public, they would certainly have followed the "accepted" convention at the time about how the crucifixion of Christ was carried out. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a very compelling forgery!

[LS]

I see your point. I take no position on the Shroud. My faith doesn't rest in a piece of cloth, but the Risen Christ.

But, common sense tells you that the flesh of the hands would not begin to support the weight of a man who leans forward, nor could they have (as is falsely shown in many movies) tied them up there with ropes, because that defeated the deadly effect of the crucifixion process.

[don-o]

Thanks for this.

Awesome, as in "awe inspiring." I cannot imagine the intensity of those scenes on the big screen.

This is definitely not your typical Hollywood Jesus Christ.

[mass55th]

"Subtitling in english would only likely detract from the power of the visual narrative."

I agree with you. Subtitling gets in the way. While people are trying to read the captions, they're missing what's on the screen. No one needs subtitles to explain the suffering shown in the few moments of this trailer. I was brought to tears.

[krb]

Perhaps you are right. I basically know the story and am familiar with a lot of the dialog (not as well as a lot of Christians, though) so I am looking forward to just seeing things close to the way they might have actually happened.

[ozzie]

Just another point about authenticity. I went to the "shroud" exhibit recently and they had a panel describing that those crucified carried "only" the crossbeam of the cross, not the whole thing. It would be far too heavy.

[Dscott_FR]

AWESOME! This is gonna really be big. I'm sitting here sensing the Presence of the Lord like I never have before...God Bless Mel Gibson.

[commish]

What a powerful trailer!!!! I am a little dissappointed at the minor errors : Nails through the palms instead of the wirst, carrying the whole croos instead of just the crossbeam, etc. But I can forgive these nitpicks as it is the message that is most important.

And that message shone through loud and clear, even in just the couple minutes of this trailer.

[commish]

I am very dissappointed in my spelling in my above post! LOL! wirst? croos? UGH!

[BibChr]

Ooh! You know Edwin Yamauchi! I'm impressed!

Dan
(c8

[BibChr]

As I've said, I'll certainly support it where it's Biblical, and certainly criticize it where it's not.

The brutality that comes through on the trailer -- definintely Biblical and historical. Not your father's movie-Jesus.

The woman crushing the serpent's head -- viciously anti-Biblical (Genesis 3:15).

Dan

[don-o]

The woman crushing the serpent's head -- viciously anti-Biblical (Genesis 3:15).

I thought that was the risen Lord crushing the serpent's head.

I'll watch it again and check back.

[sharktrager]

Actually, I saw a piece on an American Scientist (he was kind of creepy) who had created a device to simulate the cross, and he had discovered that, with the wooden washers, it was possible to drive the nails throuh the palms. What you have to reember is that the weight is primarily borne on the feet, which is why the legs were broken to speed death.

[don-o]

I thought that was the risen Lord crushing the serpent's head.

It's not clear who crushed it. It seems to be night, so, I'm guessing it was the Lord after he came out of the tomb.

Overall Dan, what do you think of this film?

[fish hawk]

No problem. Think of it as when you were little and your dad gave you "that" look. You knew what he was saying and you sure didnt need subtitles. That is what Mel is trying to do here. The graphics tell the story, it is beyond language. IMHO

[BibChr]

I say that, don, because I'd read elsewhere of Mary crushing the serpent's head, and then in the trailer it seems to me that that is what's going on. I'd be delighted if it were Jesus, and will be happy to correct my comment if that's what's in the movie.

Oh really, what I think is mostly what I just wrote, because that's all I've seen. Otherwise, I've commented on reports.

The only other thing I think I've said beyond what's in my last posting, is that I have mixed thoughts on focusing on just the Crucifixion to the exclusion of the Resurrection, if that's what Gibson does. Literarily, it's a bit as if [WARNING: read no further if you've not read The Lord of the Rings] Jackson were to end the story at the point at which Gollum steals the ring back from Frodo. Dramatic, yes, but by incompletion tells the wrong story. The story of the Crucifixion is vital; the Resurrection is what gives it its full meaning (1 Corinthians 15:1ff.). Leave that out, one at least runs the risk of telling the wrong story.

Dan
Biblical Christianity web site

[RoseofTexas]

Let's put aside the nic-picking....MY prayer is that thousands will be saved upon seeing this movie. FOR YOUR GLORY LORD! Many, many blessings upon Mel and his movie!

[The Iguana]

Thanks for the heads up.

Very moving.

[proust]

The woman crushing the serpent's head -- viciously anti-Biblical (Genesis 3:15).

Viciously anti-PETA as well.