Posted on 04/03/2021 4:43:59 PM PDT by Rummyfan
It's Easter and Passover at SteynOnline. We started on Good Friday with a little muscular Christianity and the sublime heights of western art on the Easter edition of The Mark Steyn Show...
But, as has become traditional for our motion-picture department at this time of year, we present Mel Gibson's big blockbuster from seventeen Easters ago. Mel has spent the last decade getting a little crazier with every year that passes - and I note, sympathetically, that he and I have had the same third-rate shyster tormentor for much of that period. Surprisingly, there have been no attempts to follow the success of this film, but back in 2004 it was impressive not just cinematically but as an interesting business model for bypassing Hollywood:
The headline on the Washington Post review summed it up: "'Passion' Is A Gory Take On A Gentle Teacher's Violent End". Somebody's confusing their Gospel with Godspell. A few days before the "violent end", the gentle teacher had been hurling tables around in the temple. And, even if you overlook the rough stuff, rhetorically Christ was as forceful as He was gentle.
That's the real argument over The Passion Of The Christ. It's not between Christians and Jews, but between believing Christians and the broader post-Christian culture, a term that covers a large swathe from the media to your average Anglican vicar. Some in this post-Christian culture don't believe anything, some are riddled with doubts, but even the ones with only a vague residual memory of the fluffier Sunday School stories are agreed that there's little harm in a Jesus figure who's a "gentle teacher". In this environment, if Jesus came back today he'd most likely be a gay Anglican bishop in a committed relationship driving around in a hybrid with an "Arms Are For Hugging"...
(Excerpt) Read more at steynonline.com ...
I just watched it again a few weeks ago. That is darn hard to watch...but a well done movie.
It’s my movie to watch every Good Friday from 12.pm. to 3.pm.,then I do online mass
Okay, call me crazy, or something, but, I could not view the whole movie ... I could not make it past about the halfway point, and I am a BELIEVER.
Anybody else have trouble watching/getting through the whole movie?
I have trouble watching it. I’ve seen it several times but each time was harder than the last. So I haven’t watched it in a few years.
I did. I found myself thankful for the subtitles so that my eyes didn’t have to see the brutality.
“Who for the joy set before him endured the cross...” Hebrews 12:2
Thank you Jesus!
Seen it twice in its entirety. First time in the theatre, second time last night!
A great film.. the flashback Mary has (as Jesus is carrying the cross) of toddler Jesus tripping and falling— so well done.. I cried, I’ll admit it (and I cried the first time too).
I’ve seen it once. I don’t know if I could watch it again. The suffering of Jesus just breaks me.
Thank you, Jesus for your sacrifice! I’m not worthy, but I have salvation through him!
During the consecration of the hosts during mass, I always bow my head and thank Him for the sacrifices he made on our behalf.
We watched yesterday and I cried....just as I cried as a child when my Grandmother took us for Good Friday services and Stations of the Cross.
I saw it twice, once at the theater, and once at home. (We own it) Both times I had my eyes shut through much of the brutal portions. It shakes me.
Great column, as always.
Very funny and discerning pieces.
Yes. I found it inspiring in that aspect. The brutality was difficult.
Agreed...it was well written.
FYI, Silent prayers for consecration:
at host elevation: “Jesus, my Lord and my God” (3 times),
at chalice: “My Jesus, mercy” (3 times)
Yes. Beautifully done, but boring. I’m glad it’s out there, though, because it has impacted many on the suffering of our Savior.
What were you expecting?
I don’t know...I did not expect to react that way. Subtitles are distracting to me, though...even when I know the story.
Anybody else have trouble watching/getting through the whole movie?
My wife just watched it ince and I rather forced on her. She can’t watch it agsin. I think the problem is that this is the only movie that truly protrade the actual suffer Christ went through. It tough and perhaps over the top ( Mel love the hell out of violence) p. They only thing I can tell you is this (SPOILER ALERT) it has a happy ending!
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