Nearly a decade ago, Mel Gibson decided that he wanted to create a film about the last twelve hours of Jesus’ life—more commonly known as "The Passion." His goal was to depict an image of Jesus’ intense suffering that would surely leave a permanent impression in the minds and hearts of the viewers. What he did was create a picture that is entirely capable of both uplifting many and depressing and disgusting others. Surely, some will be displeased with Gibson’s efforts, due to its NC-17-esque persistent torture of Jesus the Nazarene and its elements of Anti-Semitism, which some claim to be present. Others will be emotionally touched.
To tell you the truth, the thought of Anti-Semitism being displayed in this film is absolutely absurd, because it simply is not present. The Jews sentencing Jesus to his death is a historical fact, which the picture depicts accurately and without prejudice. However, the Jews did not kill Jesus; Jesus was killed, in accordance with Christian belief, by each and every human-being—the same people he so willingly died for. It was humankind’s sins that led God to allow the Romans and the Jews to fulfill His pre-destined plan for His Son. Holding a prejudice against all Jews for killing Jesus is no different than holding a prejudice against all Germans for killing the Jews—both notions are preposterous, unethical, and go against the exact values that the Christian religion holds dear to heart.
As for the film’s graphic violence, every lash of the whip, every cry of pain, and every one of the thousands of criss-crossing rivulets of blood were undoubtedly warranted. While the violence may be a little overboard and repulsive for some (especially young children), if Gibson didn’t hit us hard with the message, it may have not hit home.
The Passion of the Christ is by no means an enjoyable or fun motion picture to sit through, but rather a graphic, yet inspirational, film that will stay with you for a lifetime. Gibson’s film may be too visceral for the faint of heart; however, keep in mind that no one is going to see this film for its violence or for its anti-fun-factor, but rather its moving message.
Article comments
1 - Greg Schoppe
I thoroughly agree with your review. The Passion of the Christ is one of the most powerful movies of all time, and is not in the slightest anti-semitic. To call the Passion antisemitic is like calling Anne Frank's diary anti-germanic.
2 - STINGRAY
THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT FILM, HAD IT FINISHED THE STORY WITH THE ASSENTION, COULD HAVE BEEN "AWESOME", AND HAD IT EXPLIANED THE REASONS FOR (AS A REVOLUTIONARY THREAT TO THE ESTABLISHED CULTURE THAT HE WAS) HIS ARREST AND TRIAL. AS IT IS UNFORTUNATELY IS IS JUST A GOOD HORROR FLICK, AND AS MANY HORROR GENRE FILMS DO, IT MADE SOME BUCKS FOR THE PRODUCERS...BIG DEAL, DRACULA WAS BETTER STORY, PRODUCTION AND FILM.
3 - Sister Ray
I won't dispute that Jesus was tortured. But how does his suffering prove anything one way or another, or atone for our sins?
4 - Brandon Valentine
According to Christian belief, it is not the suffering of Jesus that atones humankind of our sins; it is the resurrection (which is depicted at the closing of the feature) and the eventual ascension of Jesus into heaven that does the deed.
Also, in response to STINGRAY's comments, I have heard a few rumors that Gibson hopes to make The Resurrection and The Ascension into films as well. This is why the resurrection is only merely hinted at and the ascension is not even addressed. After all, the film is called The Passion.
5 - Krasimir [FilmDailies.com]
I saw the "movie" and frankly I found it a bit repetitive. I'm not thick skinned, I just find falling in slomo a bit tiring after the third time.