Mel Gibson Ignores Hollywood Rules on Jesus

NY Newsday ^ | September 29, 2003 | Thomas Doherty

[presidio9]

Cecil B. DeMille was smarter than Mel Gibson. In 1927, when DeMille filmed his version of the life of Christ, "The King of Kings," he covered all the theological bases by placing on the payroll a Protestant minister, a Catholic priest and a rabbi. Gibson, director and co-author of "The Passion," billed as the most authentic version of the life and death of Christ ever filmed, refused to have the high priests of official religion vet his vision and, the way things are going, they're going to crucify him.

Though "The Passion" won't be released until Ash Wednesday in April, it has already sparked a storm of controversy because of fears that Gibson will resurrect not the good word of the New Testament but the old libel of the Jews as "Christ killers."

Responding to Gibson's unrepentant defense of the film in last week's New Yorker, Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, accused the director of entertaining "views that can only be described as anti-Semitic."

[jjm2111]

The opera is also musically pleasing.

[Lazamataz]

Look, I'll just be happy if they don't have the twelve disciples wearing mohawks and leathers and circling an oil refinery in souped-up funny cars and motorcyles.

And if any of them even once refers to Jesus as "The Lord Humungous, Ruler of the Wasteland, the Ayatolla of Rock and Rollah".... I am outta there.

[Spok]

Just what I was thinking...I haven't heard anyone mention free speech in the criticism of this film.

[LadyDoc]

the best movie on Jesus I ever saw was the 1924 King of Kings, which was a silent movie...the acting told it all...

It beat the remake of KoK where John Wayne as centurian drawled :surely this was the son of God....and then everyone in the theatre laughted.

[Havoc]

Just because I know the story doesn't mean I have to pay ten bucks to listen to two and a half hours of gibberish. I can read the Bible for free.

I may go to see it; but, will likely upchuck if I've got to wade through 2 hours of hearsay mislabeled as history. The only reason I'd see it is because Gibson is involved. Given my experience with the historical perspective from whence he is pursuing this, though, it isn't surprising that more voices are heard caterwalling about Jewish guilt than about historical accuracy. Braveheart is a good flick even if the Battle of Sterling Bridge didn't include the Bridge in his movie. If one looks at it from that standpoint, then the inclusion of veronica's veil is the equivelant of leaving out sterling bridge. If A&E can't get historical accuracy in their historical features, one wonders how one might expect it from Mel. On the other hand, if one is Christian, one would hope that the core story could be told without incorporating historical fictions and giving them any creedance by putting them on the big screen; but, then, I guess that's the hollywood side coming out.

[frogandtoad]

His real marketing genius is in teaming up with Abe Foxman of the ADL. Every time Abe opens up his mouth about the film, or issues a press release, another few hundred thousand viewers can't wait to purchase tickets. Abe Foxman is doing all the P.R. Gibson need to publicize this film.

[per loin]

de Mille was responsible for that horrendously anti-Egyptian film "The Ten Commandments".

[kstewskis]

Though "The Passion" won't be released until Ash Wednesday in April, it has already sparked a storm of controversy because of fears that Gibson will resurrect not the good word of the New Testament but the old libel of the Jews as "Christ killers."

Boneheads! They haven't even bothered to check that Ash Wednesday falls on Feb. 25th next year!

(April 11th is Easter Sunday...they can't even count backwards from there).

[kstewskis]

It's just my opinion, but I think Mel's faith is paramount here.

I think you are spot on. Gibson has said in interviews, that even though his prior occupation "was much more lucrative," this is coming from within.

He put his own money where his mouth (and heart) is to make this movie, and share the story of Jesus through The Gospels with us.

Those previous to Gibson (not having their "faith" back them up) who made movies based on the Life of Christ, delivered to us the "sanitized" PC versions of His life, death, and resurrection. They never got it quite right, and now that someone is coming along with accuracy based on The Gospels (despite what the deceitful revisionist wackos are trying to pull), they're running scared.

This will truly, be the greatest story ever told.

[kstewskis]

Just because I know the story doesn't mean I have to pay ten bucks to listen to two and a half hours of gibberish. I can read the Bible for free.

Aw jj. It's not about listening "to two and a half hours of gibberish.. It's the visual story that will be told, that no one has ever done before. People all around the world will see this story and know exactly what is going on. Whether or not it is done in English is missing the point.

Don't give up on it. If you need to, catch a matinee (it'll save $) and bring your bible! ;)

[Elliott Jackalope]

I've got an idea. Why doesn't Mel ask everyone to be "tolerant" of his vision. What? You say that doesn't apply in this case? Shocked I am, truly. Shocked, that is.

[kstewskis]

Share THE PASSION during the holy season of Lenten renewal

This is a ping list for those who wish to share in viewing Mel Gibson's film, The Passion, while observing the traditions of Lent together.

If you want on or off this list, please FReepmail Northern Yankee

[isrul]

"The Passion" won't be released until Ash Wednesday in April,...". Ash Wednesday is never in April.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Funny, I don't remember any of this controversy over The Last Temptation of Christ

You don't remeber the ballyhoo that arose over that film? You couldn't get away from it for 6 months or more.

[lonevoice]

Thanks for the ping! If I recall, Mel only agreed to add some subtitles after having so much trouble getting a distributor for the film. Many of his friends for whom he screened the film suggested that adding subtitles would help with distribution. Although the film is still without a distributor, I'd think all of the free PR, courtesy of Foxman and the ADL, should help.

[TopQuark]

Who cares about what the major religions think of this film? Where did you see any of "major religions" expressing their views?

[BRITinUSA]

the best movie on Jesus I ever saw was the 1924 King of Kings, which was a silent movie...the acting told it all...

Odd bit of trivia.... I believe that Ayn Rand was an extra in the 1924 version...

[raybbr]

In the very first paragraph: ...when DeMille filmed his version of the life of Christ, "The King of Kings," he covered all the theological bases by placing on the payroll a Protestant minister, a Catholic priest and a rabbi. Gibson, director and co-author of "The Passion," billed as the most authentic version of the life and death of Christ ever filmed, refused to have the high priests of official religion vet his vision and, the way things are going, they're going to crucify him.

The author is suggesting that Gibson, who failed to do this, is not allowing the major religions to offer their opinion about the film. Hence, who cares what the major religions think of this film?

I don't.

[Elliott Jackalope]

I remember all of the hubbub over "Last Temptation". The message the media told us concerning that blasphemous movie? That we had to "tolerate" it, that we had no right to be "intolerant" towards those who made it or those who went to watch it.

So, again, I think Mel should just tell the world to be tolerant of his art and his vision. If they don't want to be tolerant, then they are intolerant, and they deserved to be condemmed for being all of the awful things that intolerant people are supposed to be. What the heck, drag out all of the best invective and use it against his critics, just like they did against their critics when they release movies like "Last Temptation" and "Dogma".

Never forget, the more tolerant you are, the more you get to tolerate!

[Question_Assumptions]

The Last Temptation of Christ had an interesting concept tarnished by an awful depication of Jesus and those around him. The Life of Brian can be funny if you don't take it too seriously but I can see why it bothers people. Dogma was just plain awful. The recent religious movie that I find the most interesting, The Rapture, is also a movie that seems to escape notice. I'm not sure that this is the message that was intended but I found it a great study in what it means to try to accept God on your own terms instead of His.