Posted on 07/14/2003 3:42:32 AM PDT by visualops
Two versions of the trailer, low-res and hi-res.
598 In her Magisterial teaching of the faith and in the witness of her saints, the Church has never forgotten that "sinners were the authors and the ministers of all the sufferings that the divine Redeemer endured." [Note 389: Roman Catechism I, 5, 11; cf. Heb 12.3] Taking into account the fact that our sins affect Christ himself, [Note 390: Cf. Mt 25:45; Acts 9:4-5] the Church does not hesitate to impute to Christians the gravest responsibility for the torments inflicted upon Jesus, a responsibility with which they have all too often burdened the Jews alone:
We must regard as guilty all those who continue to relapse into their sins. Since our sins made the Lord Christ suffer the torment of the cross, those who plunge themselves into disorders and crimes crucify the Son of God anew in their hearts (for he is in them) and hold him up to contempt. And it can be seen that our crime in this case is greater in us than in the Jews. As for them, according to the witness of the Apostle, "None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." We, however, profess to know him. And when we deny him by our deeds, we in some way seem to lay violent hands on him. [Note 391: Roman Catechism I, 5, 11; cf. Heb 6:6; 1 Cor 2:8]Nor did demons crucify him; it is you who have crucified him and crucify him still, when you delight in your vices and sins. [Note 392: St. Francis of Assisi, Admonitio 5,3] (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 598)
For some perspective, the Church liturgically condemns the role of the Jews in the death of Christ two days per year - Palm Sunday and Good Friday in the reading of the Passion. 365 days per year, the Church condemns us sinners in the Church for our role. God the Father is ANGRY at us for the contemptuous way we treat His Son every day by continuing to sin, while outwardly professing to be His sons, and friends of Christ.
The Church does not deny the Jewish role at all, but she forcefully reminds us that it is we who will end up on the lower level of hell for our part in this crime, unless we also repent, as did many of the Priests who helped incite the crowd to put Christ to death (Cf. Acts 6.7).
If "The Passion" keeps creating controversy and it is going to open amidst lots of camera crews, then those two will be there.
I think Mel Gibson knows exactly what he is doing. Plus he has a lot of help!
Trailer images now available online at this link:
MUST READ
"Although the timeline only reflects the last 12 hours of Christ's life and more pointedly his crucifixion, it is crucial that the story look realistic and not, as Gibson puts it, "like a cheesy Hollywood epic." Gibson knew he would have to create a visual testimony to one of the most inhumane acts ever committed. Every frame showing the face of Jesus would have to carry visual impact. Gibson looked no further than his friend, Cinematographer Caleb Deschanel.
Gibson and Deschanel took their mutual vision of how they wanted this film to look and translated their collaborative art form on screen. Deschanel uses the light that warms every frame in the Renaissance style, inspired by the artist Caravaggio.
In addition to spending 15 days filming on the cross, Caviezel was scourged and whipped in chains and ropes. "Mel likes to put violence in his movies. But the fact is, they represent truth. That's all Mel cares about is making it look true to the text. No time has a film of our Lord ever been shown like this one. Believe me when I say this to you, when people get to the crucifixion scene, by that time I believe there will be many who can't take it and will have to walk out. I guarantee it. And I believe there will be many who will stay and be drawn to the truth."
Show Your Support
We, the undersigned support Mel Gibson and his film, The Passion
We believe that it is important to show the powers-that-be in Hollywood that there is grassroots support for a courageous firm depicting one of the most revered moments in Christian history without being maligned and shunned by decision makers, distributors and bigots.
We state that we will go see this film when it is released, no matter how far we may have to travel to see it
We urge film distributors to reconsider their decision to make it easier for the people across the country to see this film.
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