Loud Applause for Mel Gibson's New Film "The Passion" is Awakening Deaf Ears in Hollywood

News Pundit.net ^ | 7/18/2003 | Douglas Oliver

[ex-Texan]

Loud Applause for Mel Gibson's New Film "The Passion" is Awakening Deaf Ears in Hollywood

A Resounding Bravo for Mel !

Mel Gibson has stirred up both resounding praise and strident criticism for his new film "The Passion." Strangely, the criticism comes mostly from critics who have not even seen the movie but were basing their attacks on an old draft version of the script. Criticism of that type is a very weird first for Hollywood. It reflects a shocking closed-minded attitude from a "creative community" that generally proclaims its right to produce controversial films with "real life impact."

Mel's critics appear to led by the Anti-Defamation League who are concerned about the possibility of the film inspiring attacks on the Jewish community. With all due respect to the ADL, I must strongly disagree.

Mel Gibson is an excellent director and does not have an antisemitic bone in his body. He is a devout Roman Catholic. His work on "The Passion" appears to have been inspired by regular daily prayer and his own study of the Bible. There is no doubt that Jesus was Jewish; that is a historical fact. Many Catholic Priests even include brief readings from the Hebrew Torah in their sermons because they read and speak Hebrew. Rabbis are invited regularly to speak at Mass or other Christian services across America. The primary cause of violence against Jewish people today comes from Muslim fundamentalists and not the Christian community.

But there are new signs that the film is awakening deaf ears and exciting the public generally.

Harry Knowles runs the AintItCool.com film web site. He features insider reports on films and the film industry and draws millions of visitors each month. On July 11th he posted this brief report the "The Passion:"

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!

By all accounts it was impossible to get through on that link for several days. I know because I attempted to hit it myself. Ten times over a period of two days. Finally I located an alternative link and viewed the trailer for myself. The best word to describe the preview is "AWESOME!"

Movie fans all over the world are showing genuine interest in "The Passion." They are beginning to have an impact on Hollywood. There are rumors that Gibson will soon announce he has found a major distributor for his film.

< -- Snip -- >

Many people will be horribly surprised or even shocked by the scourging that Jesus suffered. He was flogged with whips by Roman soldiers. Those whips contained tiny iron barbs that were designed to inflict wounds on human flesh. That is historical truth and it is not pretty.

Agnostics and Muslims being converted to Christianity? Perhaps the true graphic representation of Christ's suffering is really too powerful for movie viewers today?

I believe that people today thirst for the truth. Let them see the truth with their own eyes. "The truth will set you free."

[Skooz]

"Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools."
Romans something or other.

[XJarhead]

So lemme see if I got this right. The writer criticizes people for criticizing a movie they haven't seen, and then goes on to praise a movie he hasn't seen?"

But he has at least seen the trailer, and based his comments upon what he saw:

Finally I located an alternative link and viewed the trailer for myself. The best word to describe the preview is "AWESOME!"

He never attempted to mislead anyone into thinking he was commenting on anything other than the trailer:

From the images in this trailer that was sent to me, I can't help but believe in Mel's vision for the film.

He also commented on the undisputed fact that it was being shot in a dead language, and argued that this is the type of bold artistic move Hollywood normally would salute. Seemed pretty fair to me.

[AnnaZ]

I used to think that truth would make you free.

 

It takes a little something, though, to know the truth:

 

The Gospel According to John, Chapter 8

28: Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
29: And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
30: As he spake these words, many believed on him.
31: Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

 

 

 

I now know that truth purchases hatred. People hate the truth, they like comfortable lies. The more dedicated one is to the truth, the more of an outcast one becomes.

 

Proverbs 9:7: He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.

 

Proverbs 9:8: Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

 

 

The Gospel According to Matthew, Chapter 5

11: Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12: Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

 

 

Ecclesiastes 1:18: For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

[Huck]

He says "the criticism comes mostly from critics who have not even seen the movie but were basing their attacks on an old draft version of the script."

And he has not seen the movie either but is basing his opinion of it on the trailer.

[NorthGA]

I may get flamed for this, but I think the statement of "truth will set you free" refers to Jesus himself. In Matthew, He says "I am the way, the truth, and the life ..."

[jjm2111]

If it's in Aramaic w/ no subtitles I'm not watching. Period.

[Thorondir]

Amen to that, my friend. And the more dedicated one is to the truth, the more bitter and hateful he becomes toward those who love and seek for truth--no matter how loving and friendly they are to him.

[jjm2111]

Ain't that the truth!

[Pahuanui]

"When A Foolish Man Hears The Truth, He Laughs Out Loud . . . "

Could be.

[Thorondir]

Why so bitter, my man? Why start out that way? What are you carrying inside you? Nobody is attacking you. Nobody really wants to, but if you keep spewing the bitter hatred, you will pi$$ people off enough that they will react, and then you can say, "See? See how those intolerant Christians are? Burn them all! Throw them to the lions!" And you will have your self-fulfilling prophecy.

But it doesn't need to be this way. They are not out to get you. It's OK. It's oooookaaaaay. You're perfectly safe here.

[Map Kernow]

And he has not seen the movie either but is basing his opinion of it on the trailer.

C'mon---don't ordinary people often base a decision on whether or not to see a movie on a trailer? Let the film be produced---let it be distributed---let it be viewed---and let it be assessed by the individuals that see it. Isn't that what this article is saying? How could anyone possibly be against that?

[philosofy123]

NewsWeek magazine commented on that movie "The Pianist" Oscar winnig; saying if you want to win an Oscar, make a movie about the Holocaust. I think movies about Jesus always bring a lot of hostilities. You would imagine these movies would also be a shoe-in for Oscar?

[niteowl77]

Crucifixion was a very painful and drawn out process.

Yep. It has undergone something of a "familiarity breeds contempt" transformation. For some reason, many people don't realize the full extent of what was a deliberately cruel and inhuman punishment. The crucifixions of the time were carefully choreographed to degrade, humiliate, and cause excruciating suffering; as public executions go, it was drawn out and calculated to leave an impression.

I wasn't really aware of the brutality of Christ's ordeal until I was in my 40's- my Lutheran church apparently thought that browbeating me into sending my allowance to Minneapolis - supposedly for African children - took precedence over teaching me that the Son of God was beaten to a pulp and whipped to pieces as part of the price he paid for me. I have no doubt that Mel's fidelity to reality has resulted in something disturbing to watch.

I just wonder why Speilberg gets kudos for showing eviscerated soldiers, but Gibson is knocked for showing a lynching. Oh, wait. I guess I don't wonder about it at all.

[Thorondir]

The Pianist was excellent, and I rarely like movies because Hollywierd seems hellbent on insulting both our intelligence and our religious sensibilities. Those freaks are self-righteous, condescending members of the ABC crowd (Anything But Christianity) and it shows in eerything they do.

Anyway, I am looking forward to this movie.

[Huck]

Show me any bitter hatred i have spewed. I dare you.

[Map Kernow]

But it doesn't need to be this way. They are not out to get you. It's OK. It's oooookaaaaay. You're perfectly safe here.

You seem to be the second poster on this thread now who's a "victim in search of a victimizer."

Here's the issue: Mel Gibson is producing a movie called "The Passion" based directly on the Gospel narratives. Even as recently as 40 years ago, that project would not be controversial. People are objecting to this project, however, turning it into a huge controversy. Why? Why not wait until the film is released to critique it?

[Map Kernow]

Anyway, I am looking forward to this movie.

Whoops!! I take back Post #37!!! I TAKE IT BACK!!!!! :)

[Thorondir]

(sigh)

You really don't have any enemies here, sir.