Another issue I have is how the film ended. The last segment was the one with Johnny Olsen, and, in my opinion, this is not where a film should end. There should have been some attempt at a recap of the film, somehow bring the focus back to the film after being sidetracked. There is also the interviews with the parents with one of the victims of the Columbine tragedy, which is a strange connection.

The best things about the film are the interviews with people regarding their reactions to the film, the rang the most true of anything shown. It was also nice to see reactions not only from America, but Japan and India as well, two countries where Christianity is in the extreme minority (although you would never tell based on those interviewed). It reminded me of when I saw it in the theater. I went with a friend of mine and his wife, we sat in what was probably quietest screening with the largest crowd that I have been in, that is except for the occasional sobbing heard throughout. Afterwards, just as many people related in the film, everyone exited in dead silence. It was a very moving experience.

For every nugget that I enjoyed there was something else that came up and smacked with a propaganda like edge. But still, I found it to be entertaining and enlightening in some respects, but does not represent the whole truth. It seemed, and I have experienced this in the "real" world as well, that many people had trouble distinguishing this film, which is a fictional, albeit probably rather accurate, depiction of the crucifixion and torture and an actual documentary which it is most definitely not. Mel Gibson did a wonderful job of recreating the era and crafting a film that was so moving on such a personal level, but reality it is not. Many people exclaimed how they have now seen the truth, how they have seen the reality, which they have not. I believe that this is probably a very good idea of how it was, but it is not real, and people could not separate them. I actually feel fortunate that I, being a "film guy," could view the film through two sets of filters, one being a Catholic allowed me to view it through my own faith filter and be affected on that emotional level, and the other "film filter" allowed me to view it for technical merits and how it could possibly be perceived by non-Christians. That in no way makes my opinion of the film any more or less important than anyone else's view, I am happy that I can make a separation in my approach which is not always easy.