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I DETEST THIS FILM ..WITH A PASSION [Christopher Hitchens on the Passion of the Christ]
The Mirror ^ | February 27, 2004 | Christopher Hitchens

Posted on 02/27/2004 3:40:31 AM PST by ejdrapes

I DETEST THIS FILM ..WITH A PASSION

A FEW years ago, Mel Gibson got himself into an argument after uttering a series of crude remarks that were hostile to homosexuals.

Now he has made a film that principally appeals to the gay Christian sado-masochistic community: a niche market that hasn't been sufficiently exploited.

If you like seeing handsome young men stripped and tied up and flayed with whips, The Passion Of The Christ is the movie for you.

Some people used to go to Ben-Hur deliberately late, and just watch the chariot race while skipping the boring quasi-Biblical stuff. Alas, that isn't possible with this film.

Along with the protracted torture comes a simple-minded but nonetheless bigoted version of the more questionable bits of the Gospels. It's boring all right - much of the film is excruciatingly tedious - but it also manages to be extraordinarily nasty.

Gibson claims that the Holy Ghost spoke through him in the directing of this movie, and that everything in it is from the Bible. I very much doubt the first claim, and I can safely say that the second one is false.

The Bible does not have an encounter between Jesus and a sort of Satanic succubus figure in the Garden of Gethsemane. The Bible does not have a raven pecking out the eye of one of the crucified thieves. The Bible does not have Judas pursued to his suicide by a horde of supernatural and sinister devil-children.

Moreover, whatever the Bible may say, the Roman authorities in Jerusalem were not minor officials in a Jewish empire, compelled to obey the orders of a gang of bloodthirsty rabbis.

It was Rome that was boss. Indeed, Pontius Pilate was later recalled by the Emperor Tiberius for the extreme brutality with which he treated the Jewish inhabitants (and you had to be quite cruel to get Tiberius to raise his eyebrows).

YET Gibson is evidently obsessed with the Jewish question, and it shows in his film.

It also shows when he's off-screen. Invited by Peggy Noonan - a sympathetic conservative interviewer - in Reader's Digest to say what he thought of the Holocaust, Gibson replied with extreme cold-ness that a lot of people were killed in the Second World War and no doubt some of them were Jews. Shit happens, in other words. He doesn't seem to grasp the point that the war was started by a political party which believed in a Jewish world conspiracy.

He doesn't go as far as his father, who says that the Holocaust story is "mostly fiction" and that there were more Jews at the end of the war than there were at the beginning, but he does say that his old man has "never told me a lie".

And he does say that he bases his film on the visions of the Crucifixion experienced by a 19th-century German nun, Anne-Catherine Emmerich, who believed that the Jews used the blood of Christian children in their Passover rituals. (In case you have forgotten, the setting of the film is the Jewish Passover.)

Yesterday, as the movie opened, a Pentecostal church in Denver, Colorado, put up a big sign on its marquee saying: "Jews Killed The Lord Jesus." Nice going.

In order to keep up this relentless propaganda pressure, Gibson employs the cheap technique of the horror movie director.

Just as you think things can't get any worse, he shoves in a gruesome surprise.

The flogging scene stops, and you think: "Well, that's over." And then the sadistic guards pick up a new kind of flagellating instrument, and start again.

The nails go through the limbs, one by one, and then, for an extra touch, the cross is raised, turned over and dropped face-down with its victim attached, so that the nails can be flattened down on the other side.

The vulg-arity and sensationalism of this would be bad enough if there wasn't a continual accompaniment of jeering, taunting Jews who want more of the same.

The same cynical tactic has been applied to the marketing of the movie.

Gibson is well known to be a member of a Catholic extremist group that rejects the Pope's teachings and denounces the Second Vatican Council (which, among other things, dropped the charge that all Jews were Christ-killers).

He went to some trouble to spread alarm in the Jewish community, which rightly suspected that the film might revive the old religious paranoia.

HE showed the film at the Vatican, and then claimed that the Pope had endorsed it - a claim that the Vatican has flatly denied, but then every little helps.

Then he ran a series of screenings for right-wing fundamentalists only, and refused to show any tapes to anyone who wasn't a religious nut. (It took me ages to get around the ban and get hold of a pirated copy, and I was writing for the Hollywood issue of Vanity Fair.)

Having secured a huge amount of free publicity in this way, and some very lucrative advance block bookings from Christian fundamentalist groups, Gibson now talks self-pityingly about how he has risked his fortune and his career, but doesn't care if he "never works again" because he's done it all for Jesus.

The clear message I get from that is that he'll be boycotted by sinister Hollywood Jews. So it's a win-win for him: big box office or celebrity martyrdom. With any luck, a bit of both. How perfectly nauseating.

In a widely publicised concession, Gibson said that he'd removed the scene where the Jewish mob cries out that it wants the blood of Jesus to descend on the heads of its children's children.

This very questionable episode - it is mentioned in only one of the four gospels - has in fact not been cut. Only the English subtitle has gone. (The film is spoken in Aramaic and Latin, though Roman soldiers actually spoke a dialect of Greek.)

So when the film is later shown, in Russia and Poland, say, or Egypt and Syria, there will be a ready-made propaganda vehicle for those who fancy a bit of torture and murder, with a heavy dose of Jew-baiting thrown in.

Gibson knows very well that this will happen, and he'll be raking it in from exactly those foreign rights to the film.

So my advice is this. Do not go.

Leave it to the sickoes who like this sort of thing, and don't fill the pockets of the sicko who made it.


TOPICS: Editorial; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: christopherhitchens; closethomo; hehatesmotherteresa; homotendencies; morfordlover; moviereview; thepassion
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To: BlazingArizona
He has stated outright, on dozens of occassions, that he's not an anti-semite. Many Jews he knows personally have come forward and said he has never behaved in such a manner his entire life. He has, COUNTLESS times, stated outright that anti-semitism is absolutely and utterly against the precepts of his faith.

But that's not enough? You require that he publically condemn his own father?

I can tell you one thing. My father could have done the nastiest, most repugnant thing in the world, and you could go pound sand for the rest of your life before you'd ever bully me into getting up in public and condemn him.

You're demanding that he create a rift with his father, to attack him in public. By stating his outright opposition to anti-semitism in no uncertain terms, he's satisfied any legitimate requirements you can make of him. Period.

Qwinn
361 posted on 02/27/2004 9:58:34 AM PST by Qwinn
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To: samtheman
You are flat out WRONG.....Watch O'Reilly's interview? Mel said

JEWS did NOT kill christ ALL of HUMANITY did, Keyword (all).

Please stop the baiting will you?
362 posted on 02/27/2004 10:09:20 AM PST by AbsoluteJustice (By the time you read this 100 other Freepers will have posted what I have said here!)
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To: ejdrapes
Well I am an Agnostic raised and educated Catholic

In my opinion here we have a movie that the vast vast vast majority of Christians are attending to help reaffirm their faith and be reminded how Christ suffered and died for their sins thereby opening the gates of heaven to them ( this is the cornerstone of their belief ) INSTEAD of being able to do this they are forced to defend themselves against charges of bigotry and Jew hating
363 posted on 02/27/2004 10:25:06 AM PST by uncbob
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To: ejdrapes
I'm disappointed with Hitchens on this one, but not surprised. Hitchens has always portrayed himself as being non-Christian and his analysis reflects this, just as much as Gibson's film from what I have heard (I have yet to see it) reflects Gibson's faith. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have not heard Gibson claim he was guided by the holy spirit when directing the movie. However Hitchens is right in saying that there are not only contradictions with the Gospels, but Roman records such as the one Hitchens points out about Pontious Pilot being recalled to Rome also contradict the Gospels. Being non-religous, I tend to think the Romans probably had more to do with killing Jesus, than the Jews. But this subject is obviously open to endless debate. Nonetheless I look forward to seeing The Passion Of The Christ.
364 posted on 02/27/2004 10:31:05 AM PST by miloklancy (The biggest problem with the Democrats is that they are in office.)
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To: Naomi4; Huck
Hitchens point was spot on and you got it right. Those subtitles will be there in all the other countries, particularly in those societies that just want verification for their anti-Semitism and Jew hating.

Do either of you have a source that says there will be subtitles added for dialogue in the overseas versions that didn't have subtitles in the English version? I've not read or heard that anywhere, but maybe I missed it.

365 posted on 02/27/2004 10:46:56 AM PST by lonevoice (Some things have to be believed to be seen)
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To: highpockets
The point is not to point out the fact that "they" were Jews - the point IS to not attempt to revise the Bible for the politcial correctness that is pervasive in this country. Ignoring that the leaders of the Jewish faith at that time were the most vocal to support the crucifixion of Christ is taking from the scriptures - a serious no-no.

You have to take the entire Bible in perspective - One of the primary purposes of the Old Testament was to set the stage for our Savior Jesus Christs appearance and ultimate sacrifice - God chose the Hebrews/Jews to be his special tool in the world. First he set the example of the spilling of blood to attone for sin. He established the Law as a guideline for what is expected. He then gave prophecy to point to the coming Perfect Sacrifice.

Then in the New Testament we learn of the continuation of Gods plan - the birth death and reserection of the very Son of God to pay for the sins of the world. What better group to use for the sacrificing of this "Perfect Lamb" but the Jews who knew the need for sacrifice?

I also believe that God is not finished with the Jews. I believe that in the end times, the Jews will again play a very important roll in God's plan.

So, I repeat that the removal of Jews from their very important roll in God's plan is an attempt to alter the facts.

Anyone who harbors hate towards Jews for their roll in this Plan are ignorant of the scriptures.


366 posted on 02/27/2004 11:12:35 AM PST by TheBattman (Miserable failure = http://www.michaelmoore.com)
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To: lonevoice
No, there's been very little discussion in general of the overseas release of this movie, but I can tell you that it won't be Newmarket that's distributing the movie overseas. Each country or region has it's own distribution company that Gibson will sell the rights to. Usually, a number of these are pre-sold before the film is even out of production. Those companies will be responsible for subtitling the film into the local language. How much quality control Gibson will have over that process could be a legitimate area of concern.
367 posted on 02/27/2004 11:18:48 AM PST by Heyworth
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To: Huck
Huck,

It's okay.

Gibson's father thinks the number of Jews killed during the Holocaust has been exaggerated by the Jews. Hutton Gibson is on record. Mel does not think this. Mel is on record as well. What Mel won't let the Media do is create a public division between his father and himself. Can't say that I blame him.

Some of the movie comes from two mystic nuns revelations of the Passion. Did they have strange beliefs? I guess that depends on who you talk to.

Nothing gives... don't let others decide the movie for you. Go see it for yourself.

368 posted on 02/27/2004 11:22:43 AM PST by carton253 (I have no genius at seeming.)
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To: Qwinn
You're demanding that he create a rift with his father, to attack him in public. By stating his outright opposition to anti-semitism in no uncertain terms, he's satisfied any legitimate requirements you can make of him. Period.

No, only that Mel make it plain how his IDEAS on Jewry differ from those of Hutton. If he has really done that, I'm satisfied.

369 posted on 02/27/2004 11:23:50 AM PST by BlazingArizona
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To: Qwinn
Real Christians know that all of us killed Christ. I know I killed Him. I know that He would have died on the Christ if I was the only person to have sinned in the whole worled.

I killed Him, along with everyone else.
370 posted on 02/27/2004 11:31:08 AM PST by luckystarmom
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To: BlazingArizona
But he has...countless times... but still, it doesn't seem to be enough.
371 posted on 02/27/2004 11:31:09 AM PST by carton253 (I have no genius at seeming.)
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To: carton253
Gibson's father thinks the number of Jews killed during the Holocaust has been exaggerated by the Jews. Hutton Gibson is on record. Mel does not think this. Mel is on record as well. What Mel won't let the Media do is create a public division between his father and himself. Can't say that I blame him....Some of the movie comes from two mystic nuns revelations of the Passion. Did they have strange beliefs? I guess that depends on who you talk to.

You're clearly right, Mel's dad's views have nothing to do with Mel. However, Hutton doesn't dispute the number, he says it didn't happen, that the 6 million didn't die, they simply moved to Brooklyn, LA, and Sydney, and it would have been impossible to kill them anyway, even if they hadn't moved.

From the reviews I've read it doesn't sound like he's uned the nastier stuff from Anne Catherine Emmerich, but among her strange visions are thing like confirmation of Jews using Christian children's blood in their matzoh. It's probably worth noting their authenticity is in question, there's concern that her visions were changed in the dictation.

372 posted on 02/27/2004 11:37:56 AM PST by SJackson (I very much hope that thing about the NL championship is going to play out the way you want it to)
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To: philosofy123
Speaking of oppression, enslavement, and murder of Christians in Sudan, ave a look at http://www.iabolish.com/ - and if you haven't gotten a copy of Francis Bok's book, "Escape from Slavery," I highly recommend it. One of the founders of the American Anti-Slavery Group is Jewish.
373 posted on 02/27/2004 12:08:01 PM PST by mvpel (Michael Pelletier)
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To: Heyworth
No, there's been very little discussion in general of the overseas release of this movie...How much quality control Gibson will have over that process could be a legitimate area of concern.

Thanks for your reply. The operative words are could be. It's interesting that Hitchens (and some FR posters) treated it as a foregone conclusion that the subtitle "Let the blood be on us and on our children" will be added to the overseas releases. I agree that IF that subtitle is added, it is a legitimate area of concern. Frankly, given Mel's passion and devotion to what he considers to be his life's work, I'd be terribly surprised that he wouldn't have total quality control over every aspect, including the subtitling on foreign versions. But, I'll wait to see something definitive before stating that as a fact. It makes me wonder why others wouldn't wait before making unsubstantiated representations of this film and Mr. Gibson.

374 posted on 02/27/2004 12:16:41 PM PST by lonevoice (Some things have to be believed to be seen)
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To: mvpel
Jewish radio host talks about the holocaust of the Christian Sudanese more than the evangalical preachers.
375 posted on 02/27/2004 12:35:16 PM PST by philosofy123
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To: lonevoice
I'd be terribly surprised that he wouldn't have total quality control over every aspect, including the subtitling on foreign versions

It's tough, though. There's only so much time in the day to be checking the subtitles of the Lithuanian prints. And while it might be possible for the copy that premieres in the Riga Rialto to be true to Mel's vision, the pirated copy that's selling in the market place two weeks later may well have a sticker saying "Director's Original Cut: The Version the Jews Wouldn't Let You See!"

376 posted on 02/27/2004 12:37:25 PM PST by Heyworth
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To: samtheman
I have never once heard the blood-libel in all of my 34 years... save on tv and in movies crafted to present the christian dominated US of days past appear inherently malignant.
I am not a christian, by belief. I am a half-jew, by blood. I went to a catholic high-school, by choice. No one EVER said to me "You killed Jesus, you damned kike!"
So far as I know, the blood-libel is DEAD.
377 posted on 02/27/2004 1:00:54 PM PST by King Prout (I am coming to think that the tree of liberty is presently dying of thirst.)
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To: Heyworth
the pirated copy that's selling in the market place two weeks later may well have a sticker saying "Director's Original Cut: The Version the Jews Wouldn't Let You See!"

By that measure, the same could be done with any film. For instance, Lord of the Rings could be subtitled to appear as though Sauron of Mordor is Jewish, commanding Jewish orcs and minions to kill and torture Christians, Muslems, or whomever. I doubt anyone would blame Peter Jackson for it, though. Unlike what would likely happen to Mr. Gibson in the same circumstances. The only way to 100% prevent such a thing would be if neither this movie, nor any other movie, were ever released in foreign markets, no?

378 posted on 02/27/2004 1:17:03 PM PST by lonevoice (Some things have to be believed to be seen)
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To: samtheman
Simple: they don't say a word of criticism when their brethern murder innocents. Not a single word.

Wrong. The "Jews" are not "brethren" of Christians, so long as they deny Jesus as the Son of God (and thus, their personal redeemer). Jesus said that anyone who rejects him as the Son of God also rejects the one who sent him..the Father. He also stated that anyone who rejects him in front of man, so shall he reject in front of the Father and all the angels in Heaven on the day of judgement.

Jews who reject Jesus as Savior are no more saved than Muslim terrorists.

379 posted on 02/27/2004 1:26:31 PM PST by Windsong
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To: sauropod
Salvation is freely given. Not "worked out."

The apostle Paul said in Philipians 2:12 "Therefore my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

Salvation is a free gift, but we do not receive it by faith alone according to this verse.

380 posted on 02/27/2004 1:32:13 PM PST by LucyJo
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