Ebert & RoeperTo Air Exclusive Early Review of 'The Passion of the Christ'

Prnewswire ^ | Saturday February 21, 12:00 pm ET

[Brian Mosely]

Renowned Critics To Air Exclusive Early Review of 'The Passion of the Christ' on 'Ebert & Roeper,' February 21-22, 2004

Saturday February 21, 12:00 pm ET

BURBANK, Calif., Feb. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- After months of intense controversy that reached all the way to the Vatican, this weekend America's most prominent film critics, Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper, are set to air an exclusive early review of the completed version of Mel Gibson's new film "The Passion of the Christ." This special edition of "Ebert & Roeper" will air in national syndication this weekend February 21-22, 2004. (Check local listings or http://tvplex.go.com/buenavista/ebertandroeper/today.html for time and station information)

Concerning the film and the controversy surrounding its release, Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper had the following remarks:

* ROEPER: "This is the most powerful, important and by far the most graphic interpretation of Christ's final hours ever put on film. Mel Gibson is a masterful storyteller, and he has created a 2,000-year-old world brimming with authentic details."

* EBERT: "I was also deeply moved by 'The Passion of the Christ', which in excruciating details does follow the blood-soaked Stations of the Cross. Christianity has focused on the physical wounds of Jesus to show that he suffered, as well as died, for man's sins, and this movie makes it real."

* ROEPER: "As for concerns of anti-Semitism: Ciaphas does lead the call for Jesus to die, and Pontius Pilate is depicted as more conflicted than most historical records indicate. But other temple leaders question the rush to condemn Jesus, and it's the Roman soldiers who are portrayed as sadistic animals throughout this film. This movie does not blame all Jews past and present for the death of Jesus, a descendant of Judah."

* EBERT: "It's a very great film. It's the only religious film I've seen with the exception of The Gospel According to Matthew, by Pasolini, that really seems to deal directly with what happened instead of with all kinds of sentimental eyes, cleaned up, post card versions of it."

* ROEPER: "With 'The Passion of the Christ,' I know there'll be protest groups in front of the theater. I hope they at least go into the theater and see the movie first, and then decide if they want to protest the actual film."

* EBERT: "I think the controversy was very premature and was based on people that hadn't see the film, and who are going to be a little surprised at what's actually in the film."

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Is it true that Roger Ebert's proctologist gave him two thumbs up?

[sharkhawk]

Just saw the segment here in Chicago. Both men gave a glowing review. They both came at it from the perspective of believers, and I was amazed that both seemed genuinely moved as I think of both of them as liberal pukes. I truly hope that this is a sign that a lot of people who see this film will use it as a way to look into their own hearts.

[Hildy]

Yes, they're liberal pukes, I mean PUKES...but even liberal puke movie reviewers know a good flick when they see it!

[sharkhawk]

I know they are. That what was so amazing to me about the show. Both came across as believirs, and gave Mel huge kudos for what they said was his masterpiece. I really expected them both to rip into this film, and decry the whole biblical story. They probably still are liberal pukes, but I hope this movie causes them both to look inward.
I think this could be huge if other so called mainstream critics react the same way as it will be a lot harder for Foxman and his ilk to mainstream their criticisms.

[RightWingAtheist]

Roger Ebert is a practicing Roman Catholic, although the fact that he's good friends with Andrew Greely should clue you in to his Berrigan Brother-style Catholicism. I don't know what Roeper's faith is, but he mentioned that he went to Catholic schools on the show once.

It will be interesting to read Ebert's review. Occasionaly, when a real, REAL good movie is released, his enthusiasm unleashes him, and he shows he still has it in him to write a great review. Just compare any of his Great Movies reviews to any of his reviews of current films, and you'll see a great difference in the clarity of ideas and the quality of the writing .

[sonserae]

Aren't both men Jewish? If so, this is even a more powerful review of the film.

[RightWingAtheist]

See above post. Both men are gentiles, although Gene Siskel, Ebert's late former co-host, was devoutly Jewish, although also a political liberal.

[CaptainK]

I just missed the reviews at the beginning of their TV show. At the conclusion, however, they reiterated that they gave it TWO big thumbs up.