Crucifying Mel Gibson - a film called "The Passion"

Radiofree West Hartford ^ | August 23, 2003 | Alan Caruba

[CtPoliticsGuy]

Recently the Anti-Defamation League's national director, Abraham Foxman, had some unkind words for Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion", a film that depicts the last twelve hours of the life of Jesus. This movie won't even be released until 2004, but Gibson is showing it in rough cut to various audiences. Latin and Aramaic are the languages of the film, but my guess is that, thanks to some judicious dubbing, Jesus will be speaking English by the time it hits the big screen.

Latin dominated the era in which Jesus lived because it was the language of the Romans whose empire practiced extortion, i.e., taxation, once its legions had conquered someplace like Israel. Being a Roman citizen was a privilege reserved to a few and most people in their empire were slaves. They didn't like the Romans, nor did indigenous folk like the Jews.

Some historians, while acknowledging the fine work of barbarian tribes like the Visogoths and Vandals, attribute part of the downfall of Rome to the enormous expense and effort required to keep the Jews under their iron grip. Pontius Pilate was not sent to rule Israel because he was Mr. Nice Guy. He routinely crucified anyone who disputed Rome's rule. Nobody debated capital punishment in those days.

Israel was such a pain the emperor Hadrian tried to erase its name by changing it to Palestine, referencing the Philistines. The forefathers of today's Arabs who currently lay claim to the land were busy worshipping a Moon god called Allah hundreds of years before Mohammed came along and picked him out of the crowd of local pagan gods.

Gibson, a devout Catholic who belongs to a group within the Church that adheres to strict Biblical interpretation and rejects many of the changes that have taken place in recent times, has poured his own money and talent into the film. In an August 11 statement, the ADL states that it "unambiguously portrays Jewish authorities and the Jewish mob as the ones responsible for the decision to crucify Jesus." This, worries the ADL, will unleash anti-Semitism.

In the interest of full disclosure, way back in the days of the Civil Rights struggle, I briefly worked for the ADL. And I do mean briefly. Even as a callow youth, I found myself disenchanted with the organization, though it must be said it did keep track of some very unpleasant people who gratuitously hated not only Jews, but Blacks, Catholics and probably people who were not their immediate kinfolk.

There are, I'm told, some people who still speak ill of the Jews, but I suspect that only the Hebrew knights of the ADL really care any more. The truth is American Jews have melted into the vast tapestry of the population. Their children are quite likely to marry out of the faith and, for many, explaining why their kids get gifts Christmas morning is mostly answered with a shrug.

Continued

[Agnes Heep]

Latin dominated the era in which Jesus lived because it was the language of the Romans whose empire...

I think it was koine Greek, but what the heck.

[mlmr]

As a former West Hartfordite, I just love the name of Radio-Free West Hartford.

[friendly]

I have been tracking this movie carefully. It is completely benign and utterly powerful. For a trailer preview, see Quicktime clip at

http://www.passion-movie.com/images/ThePassion_hi.mov

The trailer has two spoken phrases: one in Latin by Pilate, and one in Aramaic by Jesus. It is much more powerful without distracting subtitles. BTW, The mysterious dark-eyed woman with accopanying snake is Lucifer, I found after some researching.

[friendly]

Latin dominated the era in which Jesus lived because it was the language of the Romans whose empire... I think it was koine Greek, but what the heck.

Both wrong. The language of Jesus and the common Jewish people was neither Greek, nor Latin, nor Hebrew. It was something called Aramaic, the dominant language (99%) of the movie The Passion.

[Rennes Templar]

The author seems to say it won't matter if the film appears anti-semetic, only a few ADL members will really be upset.
My take is that a film like this demonstrates that evil (there's that word) exists in man, and such evil is not confined to one group or race, just as goodness is not. The message of Christ was to overcome evil in ourselves and challenge it in others, and self-sacrifice in doing this is the Christian way.

[MaryFromMichigan]

Read the book. Can't wait to see the movie.

[friendly]

Read the book. Can't wait to see the movie.

LOL Very funny!

[dagoofyfoot]

BTW, The mysterious dark-eyed woman with acompanying snake is Lucifer


Good Catch! I was wondering who that was. She is cast in some kind of blue filter or something that looks evil, but I wasn't sure.


It's sad to see so many people upset with this movie. Like flipping on a light switch at night and seeing the cockroaches freak out!

[friendly]

Gibson is an absolute artistic purist and is a man possessed, believing completely in the project. I cannot wait to experience his work, his masterpiece, his labor of complete love.

[Agnes Heep]

Both wrong. The language of Jesus and the common Jewish people was neither Greek, nor Latin, nor Hebrew. It was something called Aramaic, the dominant language (99%) of the movie The Passion. Aramaic was local; koine was the lingua franca of the Roman world, just as English is today, and Latin from the middle ages until recently.

[Hildy]

I agree. I don't believe in representing history different because it might offend someone. Flaming anti-semetic behavior? We're talking about it, aren't we? If people are looking for a reason to voice their hate, they'll find it somewhere. As a Jew, I can't wait to see this movie.

[friendly]

"Jesus" BTW is Aramaic for "Joshua." Try that out next time on your friend Josh!

[muir_redwoods]

Where are all those first amendments fanatics now that Mel's movie is about to be released? How come Michael Moore can lie and get an academy award but if Mel tells the truth he's accused of stirring up anti-semitism?

Doesn't a person in this country have the right to make a movie without a permit?

[RobbyS]

Latin was the official language even in the east. That is why the Byzantines called themselves "Romans." The offical name of Constantinople was Nova Roma. Koine was the lingua franca as English is in Europe. Some form of Aramaic/Syriac was apoken throughout the Fertile Crescent, but if you were from Mesopotamia you probably couldn't order lunch in Nazareth. Even if you spoke what you thought was Greek, you still might not get it. "Accent," you know.

[Johnbalaya]

Someone had mentioned before that greek was spoken by the Roman soldiers in that area at the time, but the Legionnaires assigned to accompany and guard the Roman governor spoke Latin
(speaking greek was supposedly distasteful because it was "barbaric").

[Rightly Biased]

LOL

[Natural Law]

All Roman aristocracy was educated in Greek. Furthermore, many professional soldiers were of Greek origin so it is entirely possible that Greek was casually spoken, but all official communications was Latin.

[RobbyS]

I think these soldiers were from Gaul and that they were about as likely to speak local languages as are American soldiers in Japan.

[RobbyS]

Generally Rome recuited soldiers locally, but not necessarily. Those with Pilate are supposed to have been from Gaul. What confuses the issue is that the soldiers who waged the wars against the Jews were locals, but that was because the Romans needed lots of boots on the ground. An honor guard is another matter altogether. But I think a lot of this misses the point. By having the Romans speak Latin and the Jews speak Aramaic, the writer provides dramatic contrast and at least some historic similitude. If all had spoken English, we would get just another Biblical spectacle.