This must go down in history for something. Some suggest it is the last gasp of anti-Semiticism. Others say it is the start of a revival of Christianity.
Whatever it is, The Passion Of The Christ is a powerful piece of film-making. Here are some pointers for those who have yet to see the movie:
- Show up early: I showed up with 5 friends more than an hour before the scheduled showing, and there was already a line! If you want seats that aren't in the front row, take my advice and arrive at least a half hour early.
- Anti-Semiticism: There are certainly some scenes that depict people who are Jewish in a negative light. There are also scenes that show Jews as fine, upstanding people. It's pretty fair. It's not bigoted. Those who suggest otherwise are the types of folks who are looking to be offended.
- Bring some tissues: I am not the type to cry. Really. It's like pulling teeth to get me to show such emotions. And yet this film caused me to weep numerous times. And I'm not even a believer! (Do not see this with your buddies. See it with a chick you like. She'll appreciate your sensitive side. You guy friends won't.)
- Piss before the movie starts: My "date" decided she needed to urinate just as Jesus was being "arrested." She managed to disrupt the movie-going experience for numerous people in our row. Don't be that person.
Anyway, regardless of the belief-system you subscribe to, this movie is worth seeing, if for nothing more than its emotional impact. The scene where Mary has a flashback to the childhood of Jesus just as she runs to him is the most powerful in the film, IMO.
Watch it. Sob like a child. Then thank me in the morning.
Article comments
1 - RJ Elliott
By the way, the Soundtrack was wonderful. I mean that literally: full of wonder. It is currently #3 on Amazon. Let's make it #1.
It's worth it.
2 - Al Barger
Right on, RJ. This is a beautiful piece of art.
3 - mike
I needed to urinate during the movie, too. So I went outside and saw some rabbis and pissed all over them. That's what they get for killing our Lord.
Jesus rocks! Fuck the homos!
4 - Al Barger
Comment #2 brings to mind the phrase about casting pearls before swine. Mr Larkin, mere disrespectfulness does not constitute wit or sophistication. That kind of talk may be about the level of seriousness merited by some discussion of, say, Average Joe or Survivor. Mr Gibson, however, has created a much more substantial and thought provoking piece of work than that.
5 - RJ Elliott
I support Israel. I once dated a Jewish girl. I am in no way anti-Semitic.
Yet, those who think Mel Gibson = Hitler will assume my endorsement of his movie means I am a bigot. And that is fine. Those who are so hateful as to attack someone for making a beautiful movie, or for enjoying such a movie, are the lowest form of political creature. They are religion-baiters. Nothing more and nothing less.
I am agnostic. After viewing this film, I remain agnostic. But it was moving nonetheless. I don;t hate Jews, and I see no reason to believe Mr. Gobson does either.
Watch the movie. Shed some tears. And then call me a monster, if you dare.
6 - BB
Good post RJ. Finally somebody who is a non-believer had the fortitude to say it as it is. I especially agree about the part of Mary's flashback and I also wept several times throughout the movie.
The reason I haven't yet written a post after seeing it is because it was so moving that I am still dazed by it all and letting it sink in.
The word powerful doesn't do the movie justice. It is a masterpiece of film work and history will acknowledge it as such. I wouldn't be surprised if it is nominated for an Oscar if tinsel town can get over its prejudice.
Al - right on brother! I could think of some choice superlatives to say but this post has already been soiled enough.
Peace everybody and do yourself a favour and go see the movie.
7 - RJ Elliott
Thanks for your kind words BB. I doubt anyone but the most hardened atheist can come away from this film feeling anything but sorrow.
A good man died 2000 years ago. Maybe he was the Son of God. Maybe he was a kook whose beliefs were far ahead of his time.
Either way, he was a great man. His ideas have helped to form the world we know. And his murder is worthy of some comment.
8 - RJ Elliott
Question from an agnostic:
How can a man, living in primitive times, offer to us a philosophy so modern? Love thine enemy? See Afghanistan and Iraq. 60 years ago, we would have leveled these countries. Now, we rebuild them at our own expense (after shedding our own blood to liberate them).
Jesus was, at the very least, a great historical figure whose ideas have changed the world and touched us all. At most, he showed us the way to the afterlife.
Unfortunately, I am highly unlikely to become a Catholic, given my disgust over all the Church's scandals over time (including the current mess).
Anyone wanna save me? :-)
9 - BB
I can't save you RJ, only the Lord can. :-) The only advice that I can offer is the worst thing you can do is look to religion for spiritual truth. Religion and people will always let you down.
Look to Him and ask Him to make Himself known to you. Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me.
End of speech.
10 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Nice work there. Agree on several points. I myself thought the film was beautiful, but hated the last five minutes (how could it be that the defining moment of christianity is the worst part of a film about Jesus Christ? ) You might be interested in checking out Passolini's The Gospel According To Matthew, a brillinat film, which paints christ as much more of a political activist than in Gibson's work. Check out my review of the passion some where else on this site, and be sure to investigate http://mondoirlando.blogspot.com Good work.
11 - Rev John E Swanger
THE PASSION, what good is it?
I have heard all the hype and the concerns that have been expressed about the anti-Semitism, the graphic violence and even the claims that it has "too much if a Catholic SPIN". The bottom line is this. Will it attract the non-believer or will it repulse them? Will it promote the Gospel or will it discolor it?
1) Anti- Semites do not need a movie to back their twisted ways. Some people simply hate. And guess what? Some, but not all are Christians!!
2) The small group of Jewish people, who cry “hatred” at everything, will always cry hatred no matter what. Some people find evil everywhere they look.
3) It was the Jews that said “His blood be on our heads, and the heads of our children”. So get over it!
4) It was the Christ that said “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do”. So you Jew hating Christians . . . Get over it!! NOW!! Forgive!! God COMMANDED YOU TO LOVE your Jewish brothers!!
5) The truth is, Prophesy was fulfilled; Salvation was made available, so rejoice in God and LOVE EACH OTHER!!!
6) Gibson’s movie is NOT THE GOSPEL!! Don’t fool yourself into believing it is!! It’s only his interpretation of the Gospel.
7) The Passion has a HUGE CATHOLIC SPIN!! SO WHAT!!
8) The Passion was extremely violent!! Excessively Violent? Not one bit!! The Crucifixion of Jesus, The Christ, Yeshua or The Messiah was EXCESSIVLY Violent!!
9) You can look in the OLD TESTAMENT and find Love. You can also dig to find HATE if that’s your quest.
10) You can look in the NEW TESTAMENT and find Love. You can also dig to find HATE if that’s your quest.
In closing I’d like to say:
It’s better to adjust your morals and beliefs to fit within the Bible than to try to adjust the Bible to suit your Morals and Beliefs. If you Love, you’ll find love. If you hate, you’ll find hate. There will always be those that want to destroy every good work. There will also be those that want to promote every bad work. Since The Passion isn’t Gospel it is flawed, so what!! Rather than throw the baby out with the bathwater, try to find the good and look for ways to promote LOVE and thereby you will be promoting Jesus. Bottom line? People are talking . . . and this is good!!
God bless . . . . Rev. John
"It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice." Philippians 1:15-18
12 - Sandi Maiershofer
How on earth do you credit a movie with being the instrument to bring to back to the basics of christianity that you never truly understood, (even if you thought you did). I've read all the reviews and none seem to apply to me. I've never written to any "celebrity/politician/famous personage" as I bellieve the only difference between them and me is I know what they do for a living, and they don't know what I do for a living, so this is NOT a message for Mel Gibson, but for those who haven't seen this movie and are pondering whether they should. If you are a "Christian" and you believe that Christ suffered and died for YOUR sins, then this movie will bring to light just what that suffering was. We thing, "yeah, he was scourged, and crucified" but hey he was God's son...........Well, this movie will bring you to tears, at the consequence of YOUR sins, and the price that was paid so dearly. If you are a mother, you will feel so much the pain of Mary as she watches her son do what is the only thing he can. Every strike on His body reminded me that it was MY SINS that caused this. MY SINS that a loving God wished to erase/forgive and give me back that purity and innosence that HE first created when He created me. This VIOLENCE was for me...and you. Yes, it is violent, but is has to be to bring the message to us, just what the suffering of JESUS for US entailed.
Thank you to all who worked on this film, and for Mel who went against the Hollywood grain, and put his feelings and money into this film, to make me really understand what this "Passion" is really all about.
May you all be blessed, and may your life change and a renewal of your vow to lead a Christian life in glory of Him who SUFFERED and DIED and ROSE AGAIN.
Thanks for the shot in the arm.
13 - robert
I noticed a lot of reviews by, say young 'hip' guys who saw the movie almost always point to the scene with Mary running to Jesus with flashbacks of when he was a child, as the most powerful and moving scene...hmm.
So do I...but I'm not 'hip' though.