Two nights ago Mel Gibson was interviewed by Diane Sawyer on ABC's "Primetime" about his new movie the 'Passion', scheduled to open Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25th. Mel has received an incredible amount of flak for his new movie including accusations of anti-semitism and misrepresenting the gospels - allegations that he flatly refutes.
- Abraham Foxman, U.S. director of the Anti-Defamation League, is urging the Vatican to instruct Catholics around the world that the film is an artistic work and not the Catholic Church's sanctioned gospel.
"It's Mel Gibson's version of the gospel, it's Mel's gospel. He's entitled, but he's promoting it as the gospel truth," Foxman told Reuters Television Tuesday.
"He's promoting it as biblical, historical truth and I believe the Church has a responsibility to its teachings, its interpretation, and this is at variance with what the Church is all about." Foxman believes the film is not anti-Semitic. But he says since it portrays Jews as "bloodthirsty and vengeful," it "has the potential to fuel anti-Semitism."
Mel's answer to critics' fears the movie's depiction of the Jewish role in the death of Jesus could encourage anti-Semitism was that he simply did his best to interpret the Gospels.
- "Critics who have a problem with me don't really have a problem with me in this film," he said. "They have a problem with the four Gospels. That's where their problem is."
Gibson told Diane Sawyer for ABC's "Primetime" that the film is not anti-Semitic because "to be anti-Semitic is a sin." "It's been condemned by one Papal Council after another. To be anti-Semitic is to be un-Christian, and I'm not".
Mel went on to allay accusations of holocaust denial by saying:
- "Do I believe that there were concentration camps where defenseless and innocent Jews died cruelly under the Nazi regime? Of course I do; absolutely," he says. "It was an atrocity of monumental proportion."
Asked if the Holocaust represented a "particular kind of evil," he tells Sawyer it did, but adds, "Why do you need me to tell you? It's like, it's obvious. They're killed because of who and what they are. Is that not evil enough?"
I was struck by Mel's honesty and humility when he confided of the time he hit his lowest point 13 years ago:
- Gibson said ultimately he was moved to depict Jesus' sacrifice on film after reaching "the height of spiritual bankruptcy" himself more than a decade ago. Things got so bad that he says he once contemplated hurling himself out a window.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Tom
Informative post. I intend to watch the movie, and then make my mind up then. Right now I think it's just all hot air aimed at Mel.
2 - The Theory
The only I can criticize Gibson on is calling it historically accurate, when it's more Biblically accurate. And it'll be interesting to see, really, how closely it does match with the Bible.
3 - HW Saxton Jr.
All surrounding hoopla and the attendant
Media circus aside,I feel like this will
be just another of those "tempest in a teapot" situations like Scorese's "Last Temptation" turned out to be.As I've yet
to see it,I can't honestly say.As far as
"Biblical Accuracy" goes,seeing how the
bible has been written and re-written so
many times since it's inception to what
degree is accuracy really going to be a
factor here? Curious.
4 - Ricky Vandal
Everything is politics right now. I came across the discussion of Mel Gibson's movie Passion of Christ. Some argue it's anti-semitic. Now John Kerry is Jewish. The movie is said to be very intense and anti- Semitic and set to be a huge box office success. I was wondering if Dean and Edwards see the movie as a deus ex machina, that's going to destroy the Kerry candidacy and that's what they were waiting for and not so much Kerry's intern problem.
5 - Gerald Ball
"Asked if the Holocaust represented a 'particular kind of evil,' he tells Sawyer it did, but adds, 'Why do you need me to tell you? It's like, it's obvious. They're killed because of who and what they are. Is that not evil enough?'"
I wonder why none of these Marxists, socialists, communists, statists, and other liberals are ever asked if Stalin, Mao Tse - Tung, Ho Chi Minh, and all of these other leftist butchers represent a special kind of evil. And even that isn't fair ... Mel Gibson and other mainstream conservatives and evangelicals never state any sort of loyalty to Hitler or fascism of any kind, unlike a lot of the Lenin, Trotsky, Castro, and Mao fans in the MAINSTREAM left. Furthermore, Hitler was a socialist and statist and an atheist, not any sort of conservative. Instead of holding today's conservatives and fundamentalist Christians and traditionalist Catholics responsible for the Holocaust, they need to hold people who support the ever increasing power of the state. Gun control? Hitler implemented it. Social Security? Hitler implemented it. Living wage? Hitler implemented it. Secular state? Hitler implemented it. Price controls and corporate regulations and higher taxes? Hitler implemented it. Government takeover of private property? Hitler implemented it. Jobs programs? Hitler implemented it. Racial quotas? Hitler implemented it. Sure, Hitler co - opted some of the right wing's agenda too, including anti - immigrant and "family values" stuff. But ultimately Hitler was a power hungry statist no different from Mao, Stalin, etc.
6 - Shark
~~~~~~Spoiler Alert~~~~~~~~
It's just like the book!
Jesus dies in the end.
Comes back after 3 days.
7 - Shark
I don't wanna throw water on the party, but the ultimate REVIEW of Mel Gibson's Passioncame when the star and the Assistant Director were struck by lightning on the set.
I'd say that's a pretty clear "Two Thumbs Down" from the original author.
I'm not making this up.
8 - Shark
re: Gerald Ball's crescendo paragraph/blood pressure raiser:
WAAAAAY down at the end, there's a tiny caveat:
"...Sure, Hitler co - opted some of the right wing's agenda too, including anti - immigrant and "family values" stuff."
Nuff said, bro.
9 - Shark
BTW: another tidbit of interesting historical perspective coupled with irony:
You know that 'repetitious question and answer' speech technique you used so articulately?
Hitler implemented it.
10 - Gerald Ball
Shark:
I don't want to blame the modern left for Hitler, but you must admit that certain people using Hitler as a club to bash modern right wingers, evangelical and fundamentalist Christians, etc. is immoral. And the people who to this day glorify Marxist thugs are dancing on the graves of the tens of millions of people murdered by those "progressive revolutionaries." The only reason why Hitler has been elevated to special status is the left seeks to demonize him while claiming that their mass murderers on the left that they had posters of in college are OK. They make movies like Reds and Frida that give favorable portrayals of Stalinists, and they get nominated for Academy Awards. If there has EVER been a movie that positively portrayed a Nazi, it most certainly wouldn't get anywhere near an Oscar.
And by the way ... if the people struck by lightning survived and ultimately emerged unhurt and none the worse for wear, don't be so sure that it was a thumbs down ... some might interpret it as a miracle!
11 - Al Barger
The movie's electric.
Apparently there was a great deal of energy on the set.
There's plenty of ways to spin lightning strikes to be COOL.
12 - Red
I think that what's being overlooked here is the Bible itself. Don't pass judgment on it unless you've read it. I'm not saying you haven't, but if you haven't, then don't talk about something you don't know about. I'm not saying the Bible is true, but if you're going to complain about the anti-semitism you need to know the facts of the original book first. In the original book, the Romans were guilty of killing Jesus as much as the Jews, and according to Christian theology no one is more guilty than anyone else of crucifying Christ. So, among Christians who at least understand that concept, there shouldn't be talk of anti-semitism. Also, whatever gave you the idea that the Holocaust and Mel Gibson's "The Passion" have anything to do with each other? If "The Passion" causes the inhumane death of six million Jews and a World War, call me (assuming the phone lines haven't been bombed) and tell me I'm wrong. I'll be in my bunker.
As far as Gibson being struck by lightning, I don't know. I'm not going to make a decision on what I think of that until I know more.
13 - Red
Oops, I think what I just said was the whole point of the post. Big oversight...
14 - bhw
Also, whatever gave you the idea that the Holocaust and Mel Gibson's "The Passion" have anything to do with each other?
I believe it's because Gibson's father has gone on record as not believing in the Holocaust. Some people are saying the movie has anti-Semitic overtones [or, perhaps, outright anti-Semitism], so I guess the whole issue of anti-Semitism is raised by those two points.
Sawyer seems to have given Gibson the chance to distance himself from his father's point of view and to chime in on the anti-Semitism accusations.
But nobody knows nuttin' until they've seen the movie and studied ancient languages, 'cause ain't none of it in English.
15 - Mac Diva
Gerald, Mel Gibson is associated with Opus Dei. That is far from mainstream Christianity. Furthermore, he and his cohort have not done themselves any favors by:
*Excluding Jews from the preview audiences, and
*Claiming the Pope endorsed the film, which does not appear to be true.
I don't believe the notion Gibson is being hassled is supported by the facts. It seems to me the important thing to remember is that he feels compelled to match the movie to his extreme Right Wing political views. It is he who is giving support to the claim he is anti-Semitic and a liar.
16 - Chris Kent
By most accounts, the film is extraordinarily violent, showing in unblinking detail the prolonged torture, humiliation and eventually murder of Jesus Christ. It is an uncomfortable film, and will leave viewers stunned and spent. The fear from the Jewish community is that by showing this kind of torture heaped upon Jesus will cause resentment towards the Jews. Such a film as "The Passion of the Christ" could not have been made 20 years ago, and even today would have been difficult if not for the considerable clout Mel Gibson has in the filmmaking community.
Is Mel Gibson conservative? Absolutely. In fact, his politics and religous beliefs are so right wing as to be almost antiquated. And what is most uncomfortable about this film is that a man with such conservative beliefs and values, and questionable talent, has made a film with such profound themes and ramifications. He has used his considerable Hollywood clout to take on a subject matter which frankly, is beyond is intellectual depth or talent.
17 - Shark
~ shameless plug warning ~
For anyone interested in my final word on Mel Gibson's Passion, I refer you to a piece from a few weeks ago.
Shark's Passion Fruit
18 - Shark
Mr. Ball: "...but you must admit that certain people using Hitler as a club to bash modern right wingers, evangelical and fundamentalist Christians, etc. is immoral."
I think throwing "Hitler" around in just about any conversation tends to stifle any rational analysis.
Re. your specific Q: I don't 'hear' many people using Hitler to bash anybody, but I don't leave the house that often.
But I'll give you this: I think some lefties tossed the "holocaust denier" label on Mel Gibson unfairly. There are plenty of reasons to dislike Gibson without resorting to Pavlovian low blows. (The Patriot and Beyond Thunderdome were reason enough to administer the death penalty to the guy, imo)
Ball's Flashback: "...the reason Hitler has been elevated to special status is the left seeks to demonize him while claiming that their mass murderers on the left that they had posters of in college are OK."
HYPERBOLE MUCH?
College posters!? Maybe in 1968. (You must leave the house less than I do.) College posters today are more likely to depict pictures of Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson--- which I happen think is EVEN more dangerous.
Not too many people on the left or right will defend mass murders from ANY historical figure. At least not any whose IQ is above that of a banana slug.
Jeesus, Ball, your problem, (and one I sorta share), is that YOU CAN'T GET YOUR HISTORY LESSONS FROM HOLLYWOOD. --which most Americans do. It's not a matter of leftist propaganda, it's a matter of pleasing the lowest common denominator in a 90 minute, three-act story with good potential for tie-in toys at McDonalds.
Ball: "If there has EVER been a movie that positively portrayed a Nazi, it most certainly wouldn't get anywhere near an Oscar.
I'd vote for Leni Riefenstahl.
19 - Shark
BTW: Although plenty of media types have jumped on the Passion bandwagon, (and NOT for any idealogical or political reasons, but because IT SELLS their alleged "NEWS" shows) I think it necessary to point out that DIANE SAWYER is one of the worst, most despicable media whores in the business. She is an EMOTIONAL PORNOGRAPHER on the level of that other bride of Satan, Katie Couric.
ANYONE who wants to 'stay informed' by watching either of these two pimps hawking their emo-porno only deserves the distorted view of the world that they get.
whew. I feel better now.
PS: re. "hyperbole" -- yeah, yeah, i know...
20 - Eric Olsen
Das Boot was not unsympathetic to German submarine crewmen.
21 - Shark
Eric: Das Boot was not unsympathetic to German submarine crewmen.
Don't forget Hogan's Heroes!
22 - Eric Olsen
I assume you are being facetious, but HH DID portray Germans as people rather than as monsters, and as in real life, the further you went up the chain of command, the less human they became.
Hogan's Heroes has a very strange place in popular culture and I'm still not sure what the final verdict will be.
23 - Shark
Hogan's Heroes has a very strange place in popular culture and I'm still not sure what the final verdict will be.
Not many POWs from the European theater were too thrilled about it. But (sadly) they're almost all gone, so it's safe to assume that THE ONLY bad 60s TV show not yet resurrected for the big screen will eventually get a green light.
Can you imagine the casting!?
The Governor of California as *Colonel Klink?!
*laugh, but I'll gaurantee somebody has already pitched it.
24 - JR
The Governor of California as Colonel Klink?!
Nowadays he's starting to look more like Sargent Schultz.
25 - andy
The Theory, if the film is Biblically accurate, will it not too be historically accurate? I don't think there are many historians on the planet who would say these events(the existance of Christ and His crucifiction) happened.
As far as anti-semitism....
History is history. Tell it like it is. I'm sure if it was anti-semetic, then a Jewish actress who's parents were holocaust survivors wouldn't have taken the roll she took in the film.