Language 'no barrier' for Gibson's New Jesus Christ Movie - in Latin

ABC News via Drudge ^ | 9/21/2002 | Staff

[ex-Texan]

* ping *

[LibKill]

Mel Gibson is set to direct a movie about Christ's last 12 hours played out entirely in two ancient tongues - Latin and Aramaic - with no subtitles.

I don't see how this will work. It may be the greatest film ever made, but most of the world won't know what is being said.

[Sungirl]

So nothing's in English? I wouldn't want to see it.

[berned]

Does anyone here besides myself, feel that Gibson is missing a once-in-a-lifetime chance to expose millions of viewers to the WORDS of Jesus Christ! What is he thinking??

How can you convey theology or fulfilled prophesy through just actions without words?

[fineright]

Bump for Mel Gibson seems to be a real stand-up guy.

[Fred Mertz]

No subtitles? I need to take an immersion course in Latin soonest.

[meowmeow]

O tempora, O mores!

Latin??? Why not Greek?

Salve!

[cyncooper]

I tend to think the final product will not be as envisioned by Gibson, but I found this article very interesting.

[jwfiv]

I think it's a good idea.

I already know the story, would love to hear it in the languages of the day.

I never understand what they are saying in opera, and only half of what's said in rock, so...I'm open to it.

I expect Mel will throw a little Greek in the mix, as it also was a language of commerce in the Holy Land.

He's a ballsy fellow, that Mel.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I don't see how this will work. It may be the greatest film ever made, but most of the world won't know what is being said.

Anybody who has ever sat through readings of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John on Sundays, voluntarily or not, will know what is being said.

[LibKill]

You have a point. Even I could follow along.

It won't reach 1 billion Hindus without subtitles though.

[LibWhacker]

"Many people have told the story but ... it's like looking at it from the wrong end of the telescope, I mean Jesus either suffers from bad hair or it's inaccurate or you don't believe it,"

Very interesting, and potentially brilliant. Sure sounds like he's bending over backward to avoid the cliches -- both spoken and visual -- Hollywood usually uses to deaden the story of Christ. I'll gladly pay to see it, no matter what the critics say. A visionary deserves his reward.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

It won't reach 1 billion Hindus without subtitles though.

Not to be trite, but 1 billion Hindus are probably not the target market.

As long as the film recoups the 100+ million dollars it cost to make it, it will be considered a success. Considering how well family-oriented films do at the box office (Shrek, Toy Story, etc.) there is a huge appetite for family-friendly entertainment. Whether the crucifixion will be considered family-friendly or not is yet to be seen, but if the intention is to portray the last twelve hourse of the life of Christ as realistically as possible, it may well appeal to the family audience.

[Pompah]

Good for Mel. He's one of my all time favorites.(BraveHeart) But I think that the "Bean Counters" might have a say in how this motion picture will be released.
The Ol'Bottom Line is seldom a friend of the Arts.

[LibKill]

You have a bunch of good points there.

[EllaMinnow]

"Tempus fugit" is all I remember from 3 years of high school Latin, but I remember the Latin Mass quite well.

Latin, Aramaic, or Greek, I'll be interested in seeing it.

As long as it's not in French!

[syriacus]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting it.

[aristeides]

Pilate, the Roman administrators, the Roman army would speak Latin to one another. I think the normal belief is that the spoken language of the Jews at the time was Aramaic.

But I'd be very surprised if Greek was not the language used to communicate between Jews and Romans.

[PoorMuttly]

Should be cheap to shoot...all scenes being local, technology simple then. He's a rich and powerful guy...and wants to make a document for a change, perhaps. It's his hobby, his quarter. If there isn't Greek in it...I think it'll be another movie fraud. I don't know if he's on a self-indulgent jaunt...or really doing what director Emir Kusturica does...which is only work in the original languages. Subtitles there, though. Then again....lots of us have the original script around! Some of us even read it.