Gibson relaunches "Passion of Christ" with a new cut (of more violent scenes)

Turkish Press ^ | February 11, 2005

[NYer]

Hollywood mogul Mel Gibson will release a new, low-violence version of his 2004 surprise mega-hit "The Passion of Christ" next month.

The star, dubbed Hollywood's most powerful figure since the huge success of the low-budget, graphically gory film, is trimming five to six minutes of violent scenes ahead of the film's March 11 reappearance on US screens, Daily Variety reported Thursday..

The original film raked in 370.2 million dollars in its North American run that began on Ash Wednesday one year ago, but Gibson noted that many people had avoided the film because of its grisly portrayal of Jesus Christ being tortured by Roman troops.

"There has been quite a demand by the religious community to bring (the film) back for Easter," Bruce Davey, Gibson's partner at Icon Productions, told Variety.

"And there has been a lot of discussion about the violence. Mel wanted to try and accommodate those people by making a version that is softer and gentler," he said.

"The Passion Recut," will be beamed onto 500 to 750 screens by distributor Newmarket Films, Variety said, adding that the new versions would not be lumbered with an audience age restriction.

The new less violent version of the film goes easier on the brutal details of the last days of Christ.

"There are no new scenes, and the cuts are limited to the more violent aspects of the film, if that's the right term. The scourging scene in particular has been substantially adjusted."

The film caused huge controversy in the United States, with Jewish leaders accusing the devoutly-Catholic Gibson of anti-Semitism by portraying Jews as responsible for Christ's death, a charge he denied.

But instead of keeping audiences away, the controversy at the bloody religious epic helped draw people into theatres, despite a minimum of traditional publicity.

[djreece]

This is a great idea. I know an older lady who had to leave at the showing I attended because she couldn't handle the violence. Also, as much as I loved it, I haven't been able to bring myself to see it again. Having two versions will really allow a larger audience to be able to see it and make it more accessible for families.

[savedbygrace]

But I am still furious that neither Mel Gibson nor Jim Caviezel seem to be able to find work in Hollyweird.

I suppose if you don't count "Bobby Jones" and "Rebels" (not yet released) for Caviezel you're right.

[Sam the Sham]

"Bobby Jones" was already in the can when "The Passion" came out.

[melbell]

"Out of respect, I will never again sit down while this movie is being shown."

i hope you mean while you are in the room...cause you might be standing for a while. ;)

[GraniteStateConservative]

Jim Caviezel was in a golf movie-- Bobby Jones, Stroke of Genius. Gibson isn't interested in acting these days, much, I don't think. He likes making movies more. He also has a TV production company, too. He's very busy. He's also got the Maccabees movie to work on.

[melbell]

"Is it just me? It seems to be that the first thing anybody mentions about this film is the gore - like it was created for that purpose. I honestly did not find it to be exceptionally gory compared to other movies I've seen, but I'm sure some who almost never go to movies woud be taken aback."

I totally agree! I don't think it was nearly as gory at face value as some horror flicks. But the difference here, is that every person who watches it, knows in their heart, that it was REAL. This isn't fiction. And I truly believe that no one can truly deny that. I believe they can SAY it's fiction, and maybe even superficially convince themselves. But in their core, in their soul, they know the truth and just refuse to see it. I think that is why this film hits people as "more gory" than other films. For the same reason that most people would not be able to stomach those home videos where they torture and kill people. Because they can't watch it thinking, "well it's not like it really happened!"

[Bohemund]

There is an audience of Catholic and Christian individuals...

Don't you mean "Catholic and other Christians?"

[Sam the Sham]

Yes, but as I said above, that was already shot and awaiting release when "The Passion" came out. He has nothing in the pipeline.

[Tempest]

Yes you're right my apologizes.

[Brig_Gen_George_P_Harrison_CSA]

I never did understand why this movie was so controversial. The Crucifixion of Jesus was a very violent affair, and found Gibson's graphic portrayal useful in understanding the suffering through which the sins of man are washed away. The exclusive Latin/Aramaic dialog was a stroke of genius on Gibson's part. I'll be curious to see what new scenes have been added.

[Coleus]

NJ Catholic priest was so appalled by Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ'' that he described the film as "religious barbarism.'' "I saw it as religious barbarism ... in my opinion, God did not send his son to die,''

The Gospel of Mel Gibson

[CyberAnt]

"God did not send his son to die"

Then why bother having the son born ..?? The lamb cannot be a sacrifice if there is no lamb.

It's very sad to me to see that a priest is not even born again and doesn't know the reason Jesus was born.

[NYer]

I never did understand why this movie was so controversial. The Crucifixion of Jesus was a very violent affair, and found Gibson's graphic portrayal useful in understanding the suffering through which the sins of man are washed away. The exclusive Latin/Aramaic dialog was a stroke of genius on Gibson's part. I'll be curious to see what new scenes have been added.

Sorry to disappoint you but no new scenes have been added. Rather, some of the more 'brutal' scenes have been sliced.

Like you, I never saw any need to alter the film. Yes, the scourging scene was long and painful to watch. However, it proved to be most inspirational in that our Lord maintained control over the entire situation. We, as sinners, dread such a punishment and yet here is the Christ, enduring it on our behalf.

As to the dead languages that influenced this film, I attend a Maronite Catholic Church which is one of only two that retains Aramaic for the Consecration. At times, I will close my eyes and listen as the priest chants the words in the language of our Lord, at the Last Supper. Suddenly, I am transported back 2000 years in time and present at the Last Supper.

Aramaic Consecration

Byow mo how daq dom ha sho dee leh
ma' bed hy eh
nsa bel lah mo be dow qa dee sho to.
Ou ba rekh
ou qa desh
waq so
ou ya bel tal mee dow kad o mar:
Sab a khool meh neh kul khoon:
Ho no den ee tow faghro deel
day lo fy koun wah lof sagee hey
meh teq seh ou meh tee heb
lhoo so yo dhow beh was ha yeh dal 'o lam
'ol meen.

English Translation

On the day before his life-giving passion,
Jesus took bread in his holy hands.
He blessed,
sanctified,
broke,
and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat it, all of you:
This is my body
which is broken and delivered for you
and for many,
for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

[Dataman]

The greater the spread of the message the better off we will all be.

Indeed. A special edition is not a problem.

[Steve0113]

It's very sad to me to see that a priest is not even born again and doesn't know the reason Jesus was born.

There is no shortage (and never has been) of heretical priests.

"God did not send his son to die"

Does he think God was surprised at the way His Son's earthly life ended?

[CyberAnt]

I've been to a Catholic funeral - co-worker's mother. The co-worker wasn't born again, and the priest was not either - and she was so disappointed that the priest didn't comfort her family more. It was obvious to me - and he kept looking at me like he knew I knew .. it was very strange.

One of his comments suggested that we could never be sure we were going to heaven. I was so outraged that I wanted to jump up and yell out the scripture - but I restrained myself.

[Steve0113]

One of his comments suggested that we could never be sure we were going to heaven. I was so outraged that I wanted to jump up and yell out the scripture - but I restrained myself.

Aside from the fact that he was flat-out wrong, to make such a comment at a funeral is cruelly inappropriate.

[CyberAnt]

"... to make such a comment at a funeral is cruelly inappropriate."

You got it - and I was stunned! Here was this grieving family and he's telling them we can't be sure we're going to end up in heaven .. outrageous.