Wall Street Journal: "The Greatest Story, Newly Told" Mel Gibson on "The Passion"

The Wall Street Journal ^ | Friday March 7th, 2003 | Raymond Arroyo

[kstewskis]

The Greatest Story, Newly Told Mel Gibson on "The Passion," and the passion behind it.

ROME--Bounding around Studio 5 on the Cinecitt

[kstewskis]

I haven't run across this article until today. Forgive me if this is a repost, my search didn't get this WSJ one :) So much wonderful discussion about Mel Gibson and his "Passion", this article seems to see the movie in a positive light.

[goldstategop]

I think Mel Gibson's latest project will rise or fall on the power of the images since the movie isn't subtitled.

[friendly]

"The Passion" is being shot in Aramaic, Latin and Hebrew with no subtitles--a point of honor for Mr. Gibson. "There is power and mystery in these dead languages, and this is what was spoken at the time," he says. The movie will rely on its visuals to tell the tale.

The more I hear about this spiritual labor by the devoutly religious Mel Gibson, the more astonishing this artistic work sounds. I cannot wait to see this movie.

[kstewskis]

pinging!

finally an article that is in a favorable light, as opposed to the NYTrash article.

[agunther]

When will this movie be released?

[kstewskis]

The more I hear about this spiritual labor by the devoutly religious Mel Gibson, the more astonishing this artistic work sounds. I cannot wait to see this movie.

I'll be right there with you waiting eagerly to see this movie. Whether it is in a theater or not, it will be added to my DVD collection as one of my most favorite possesions.

[B-Chan]

As for the question of blame for Christ's crucifixion--a vexed subject that has fueled anti-Semitism over the centuries--Mr. Gibson says that "this is not a Christian vs. Jewish thing--'He came into the world and it knew Him not.' Looking at Christ's crucifixion, I look first at my own culpability in that."

True. The perfect answer. The evil we all commit every day is what put him on that cross, not the actions of any one group of people. Yes, the Jewish authorities of that day were directly responsible for His physical crucifixion -- but they were forgiven by Christ before He died; we, on the other hand, add to His burden on that Cross every time we sin.

Lent is an excellent time for all Christians to meditate on the Crucifixion -- and on their own individual role in it. As Mr. Gibson points out here, in a very real sense the only truthful answer to the question "Who crucified Christ" is "I did."

[kstewskis]

When will this movie be released?

Last I heard sometime next year, around Easter. That is, pending on film distributors and such.

[friendly]

I'll be right there with you waiting eagerly to see this movie. Whether it is in a theater or not, it will be added to my DVD collection as one of my most favorite possesions.

This will be an utterly unique story of the Christ. I also enjoyed the Jesus HBO movie recently, showing an utterly joyous Jesus.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

..'MEL GIBSON - America's new JOHN WAYNE under attack'..


http://www.TheAlamoFILM.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604


..in -Time of War-!!!

WHY???

[Slyfox]

I can not wait for this movie to be released.

[rep-always]

Amen. Can't wait to see it and own it. I really respect Mel Gibson. What a testimony of his faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

[patriot5186]

"The Passion" is being shot in Aramaic, Latin and Hebrew with no subtitles Some of the older freepers may have had Latin in school, like my father. Unfortunately, I myself need to take Latin101. Sounds like a wonderful movie, though, by Mel Gibson.

[maranatha]

I'm so excited about this movie and Mel. I believe that it will change lives, I believe this is God's doing. I won't go too deep into this, but if it's God's movie and you have ever been where God's Holy Spirit has swept through a crowd you know there is a possibility of big haps in theaters.

[JulieRNR21]

Just found this:

Report: Mel Gibson Builds Calif. Church

.c The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) - Actor Mel Gibson is the person behind a 9,300-square-foot, Mission-style Catholic church complex in Malibu, Calif., that is not affiliated with any diocese.

The star of ``Braveheart,'' ``Lethal Weapon'' and ``Mad Max'' financed the building for about 70 fellow members of the ultraconservative group Holy Family, according to Sunday's The New York Times Magazine.

Among other things, Holy Family and other so-called traditionalist congregations conduct Sunday Mass in Latin.

Gibson has never minimized the importance of his religion, but of late it is even showing up in his work, the magazine noted.

Last year he portrayed two characters deeply affected by their religion - a former minister in ``Signs,'' about an alien invasion, and a Catholic lieutenant in the war drama ``We Were Soldiers.''

Currently, Gibson is directing a film that depicts the last 12 hours in the life of Jesus Christ. The movie, ``The Passion,'' is in production in Rome, with the actors speaking only Latin and Aramaic.

Gibson declined to comment for the Times article, but at a news conference to announce the film last September, he acknowledged difficulty in finding a U.S. studio or distributor for the film.

``Obviously, nobody wants to touch something filmed in two dead languages. They think I'm crazy, and maybe I am. But maybe I'm a genius,'' Gibson said.

On the Net:

Times Magazine: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/09/magazine/09GIBSON.html

[Joe 6-pack]

"I think Mel Gibson's latest project will rise or fall on the power of the images since the movie isn't subtitled."

And therein lay the resistance to this film. Most people, I would think, know the story line well enough to follow along with the visuals. Those that don't, may be motivated to pick up a Bible or to research historical facts...both things the left can not tolerate.

[kstewskis]

'MEL GIBSON - America's new JOHN WAYNE under attack'..

..in -Time of War-!!!

WHY???

The (Hilde)beast is trying to pull out all his stops, isn't he?

Fear not, my friend, the beast will fail. Mel is a messenger from the good side, the side of Truth. His "passion" and message is our gain. He's expressed it in Braveheart, The Patriot, We Were Soldiers, Signs (in the end) and now, loudly, in The Passion.

The louder and more clear the message, the more the dark side will shrill.

[Dajjal]

God bless Mel.

[fabian]

I'm looking forward to this movie. Maybe the original language will give it a uniqueness that will attract more people.

[texasbluebell]

``Obviously, nobody wants to touch something filmed in two dead languages. They think I'm crazy, and maybe I am. But maybe I'm a genius,'' Gibson said.

He just may well be.