The Passion of the Christ (spoilers)

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bluepenguin

New member
So, what did you make of this film?

I suppose I better include my religious stance... I'm an educated believer in God. I don't practice any religion, though I'm probably in the Christian bracket... I feel I'm too young/lazy to bother or care about religion at the moment though.

I watched this film to see if it could give me some inspiration (failing college atm) and also to see if it lived up to the hype.

I found it did. I felt it was like an indy movie that Hollywood sexed up; but that wasn't a bad thing in my book. I loved the devil, the way they portrayed 'it' was really intriguing... my mum who has done loaRAB of bible studying said that the devil couldn't be seen; whilst others say the devil is the most horrific looking thing on the earth... however I think Gibson addressed this by letting us see the devil's 'human' form because otherwise we wouldn't have known the devil was talking to him. Jesus never directly looks at the devil, so I think his appearance was simply there to let us know it was the devil speaking... although it did take me a few seconRAB to work out whether it was the God or the devil being portrayed! :rolleyes: Plus, the serpent was blatant representation of the devil, which was a little cheesy. :)

I did have to look away at the part where the nail goes through Jesus' hanRAB, and I also thought the build-up to the crucifixion was a little bland... it was obvious Pilate's wife was for Jesus, but they gave it hardly any attention to detail. It was more like "I'm not going to kill Jesus, just batter him to death; then let him free." Then later on, "oh hold on, I want to be popular... obviously that's how the Roman empire suceeded, by being popular... mmm, let's crucify the lad then!"

The violence was certainly not your usual blockbuster, and the dark gore was much appreciated. It was very graphic, but I've been informed this movie was meant to be about love, and although you could clearly see the love between Jesus's mother and her frienRAB (Mary Magdelene and Jesus' brother I believe?) the final message was the Hollywood brightly lighted "Jesus is back!" scene, which although was a cool way to wrap up the film - definately showed why someone like Mel Gibson was directing the film.

The scene where you see the Mary flashback as Jesus as a child has fallen over and she goes over to look after him, just as a bloodied Jesus walks past really touched me. I don't cry at many things, but I was very close to crying at that part - really touched me, and I suppose kudos to Gibson as it makes you reflect on your relationship with your parents during that moment. Such a simple technique so effective.

Narrative-wise, I'd say the story is as famous as it can be. I knew most of the details beforehand, although seeing it brought to life certainly was a nice experience. One question I've got though is about the black crow who pecks out the eyes of the guy on the cross who's mocking Jesus. That isn't in the bible is it? It must be a metaphor for something; but I don't know what - can anyone help? It's been rattling my brain for some time!

According to my mum, Jesus died on a stake. If so, is this a case of Gibson making this more accessible to Hollywood? Like the inclusion of a white Jesus (the age-old debate over his skin colour, which theoretically should be browner than he was in the film) and the ending, and the use of slow motion certainly gave it the cinema look.

Looking back on it, the score was really well done. It does really add to the mood of each scene, and top marks to the composer who created it.

I also liked the fact that the whole film was in subtitles. Maybe this will make people realise subtitled-foreign films are worth looking into. For example, 'City of God' was an awesome film but overlooked by many because it's really unaccessible to a Hollywood audience.

I enjoy compelling, exciting and well-shot movies (this was well shot imho, superb mise-en-scene; although they kinda had it given to them on a plate ), and although I'm not 100% sure if this is bibically and historically correct (my ol' mother has doubts from the little she's seen of it) it's not really going to be bother my enjoyment of the film as I'm not a person with strong-religious views.

In a way it inspired me, it definately made me think about Jesus; and if he really did die for us all - I hope his paradise does come one for us all. It's not inspired me in a way that I'm looking to become a church-goer or anything; but I think it's definately a contender for an Oscar nomination this year and I'd recommend it to anyone over the age of 15. I think you need to be quite mature (talking about teenagers here) to firstly start to watch this film, and to connect with it... for some it could bore them, whilst others may only watch it for the violence; which is the wrong reason to watch it.

All in all though, good movie. 8.5/10. :D
 
seeing as jesus rises from the dead does there mean there will be a sequal?

how about Passion of Christ 2(the devil strikes back)

this time its personal :P
 
There is one thing you should know going into the film though, something to do with the presentation of the ending. If you've seen it you'll know what I mean.
 
ROFL :D

A friend's young-ish daughter went to see 'Titanic' when it was on at the cinema.
Before she went I (jokingly) told her 'It sinks' - she was most upset that I'd spoiled the plot for her :D
 
I suppose the biggest spoiler anyone could post about the film is:

He dies in the end

No replys caling me a blasphemer or anyhting, please. ;) :rolleyes:

Padzter :D
 
I must say tha i enjoyed this movie, it was very upsetting in some places, also its been a long time since ive watched a film with subtitles, but it is still worth watching if no ones seen it yet
 
Well *a few deep breaths* :sleep:

I have just got back from the cinema with my mother who watched the film with me. The film is still fresh in my mind at the moment and i can tell you this i have never felt this way about a movie in my life, its a strange silent feeling that i think most who have watched this movie might know!

My view on the movie is, it is what you see! Nothing more, nothing else. It is an extremely powerful film that wheels you in and beats your brain in until there is no sound at all. Is it a good movie? Yes i personally think it is, whether your religious or not, its an interesting film to say the least.

As for the main critisem saying that it is anti-Jewish, well i can see where they are coming from since the main Jewish preist is seen as the vilain. However, i personally dont see this film as being a Jewish hating, Hitler devoted trash as some say it is.............I didnt view the Jewish people as Jews sending Jesus to death. I viewed as us the people seind him to death out of confusing, mislead and misinterpreted infomation. I mean in a way who can blame them? A man who walks the Earth saying he is the son of god and can perform some kind of strange powers on the sick to heal them? I mean who wouldnt blame them for thinking Jesus is some kind of sick phyco? I wouldnt.

So no i dont think in the slightest that the film is in anyway anti-Jewish.

As for the critics critising the film for not promoting enough of Jesus's spiritual messages.........Well all i can say to them is that they have either watched a different cut of the film or that they have fallen asleep during the whole thing because the film is litered with these messages of love. I mean i can't even count how many flashbacks scenes they were of these famous guidelines from Jesus, even when he is cruxified the messages are anounced. So for those who say that this movie is all violence and nothing else, i would suggest to them to go and watch 'The Cat in The Hat', its probably more on their level :rolleyes: .

And now for the "biggie", the undeniable amount of brutal reality of violence. I cannot understand why anyone can say that this movie could've been done without it, its folly to think that. This is the brutal fact of how the Romans killed people, end of.

I personally do not think the movie is as violent as everyone has hyped it up to be, most of the violence is in your own head since some of it isnt shown but is there. The wipping scene only shows about 10 shot of Jesus skin being badly bruised and split apart, thats minimal concidering the scene is about 20 minutes long. The most horrorfying thing in that scene for me was Satan carryign some kind of midget/baby in its hand........scary :eek: . Most of the cruxifiction scene is implyed and not shown, only one shot shows the nail going into the right hand. But make no mistake the film is bloody and brutal, but remember some of it is implyed and your mind makes creates the more horrorfying bits. I dont think that this is the most violent film of all time though.

So there you have it, the most controversial film of all time since The Exorcist, may or may not live up to your expectations, however you cant deny that the Passion has got power.

Happy Easter :)
 
(WARNING: No offence intended, but my light hearted style my not be to everyone's tastes)

Saw it last night....interesting. Not particularly religious but very familiar with the story.

I believe "Jesus' brother" was actually supposed to be John. (Looked a lot like Rio Ferdinand :) ) The "mother/son" bit is I think asking Mary and John to look after each other.

Started slow, unusual playing of the story, I think traditionally, you might start in the same place then flashback most of the rest of the story, ending up back at the crucifixtion, but only showed the 'edited highlights' of his life (another football reference, sorry).

Violence was not gratitutous and as someone pointed out earlier, the Jesus stumbling and Mary comforting was an incredibly powerful scene. The language 'barrier' isn't a problem at all, there's not actually that much there. And in no way anti-Semitic; the Romans looked to be the nasty ones, and there was no Jewish are bad people message.

What was up with Satan though? Empire describes him as a "hooded cue ball, part Sith, part Dr. Evil". Would have tolerated that, but then to introduce the baby??!! Presumably antichrist but not at all relevant/useful in the story.

And WAY too much slow motion, I was bored seeing Jesus fall over in slo-mo by the end.

Interesting film, but won't be winning any oscars. It was food for thought, plus quite a surreal cinema experience; average age over 40, people hugging each other afterwarRAB, plus evangelicals outside the cinema handing out leaflets (this was in Gloucester!!)
 
Hi I'm trying to download 'The Passion Of The Christ' as I'm underage to see it at the cinema by a long way. I was hoping whether someone could tell me if the film is in latin with subtitles or english or whatever.

Thankyou
Godbless and keep with you
Jennifer
 
Not "not existent" but extinct, like Latin.
With the age thing, suggest if you're borderline(16/17) you might encourage your parents/guardians to take you....the cinema may let you get away with this, but the violence is very real, this isn't terminator. Or wait till the DVD.
 
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