The Passion of the Christ

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It was a great movie and I think it was even more true because of the language was spoken. I didn't have a problem w/ it since I put it on english subtitles. But I'm sure people who saw it in theaters, would of been mad.
 
It's gonna be in theatres this 25th Feb in Australia. I just read the trivia on imdb and can't wait anymore!
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As EVY posted - nothing like a "religious" movie to spark passion and controversy. Considering that, I'm generally intrigued and impressed by anyone willing to tackle this sensitive topic.

Let me just say this - while I haven't seen the film yet, I don't need to see it to understand why the Jewish community is concerned about anti-semeticsm - that's a given, and it's unfortunate, but it seems to be part of the nature of the topic itself.

In the past 2000 years People have found any excuse to persecute various communities, including that of the Jewish people, and it's perfectly valid for them to be concerned - I would think you could understand that, seeing as how hate crimes are still prevalent in our communities.

In any case, I have to agree with what EVY said - any movie dealing with God (or Christianity) tends to raise a lot of controversy, and she has listed just two of the many. It's a touchy subject and causes EVERYONE, no matter Christian, aethiest, agnostic, Jewish, Islamic, what have you, to get twitchy.

Just saying...

And no, I'm not Jewish, just trying to be open-minded and realistic about actions and consequences.

ETA - I, too, am deeply impressed by the decision to use Aramaic and Latin instead of English - that's just kind of cool. Lends credibility to the film (which I guess is the point, really).

[ 02-27-2004: Message edited shrrshrr ]
 
I just got back from seeing this.

I was speechless. I cried the whole movie.

Even my brother, who is doesn't believe in God was stunned by the movie.

It's quite easily the best movie I have ever seen. I still don't know how to put how I'm feeling into words. I've never been touched by a movie as much as I have this one.
 
I saw this movie awhile back, and I can't honestly sit here and try to find a word that even comes close to conveying my reaction to the movie.

I found the Mel Gibson did a beautiful job. Every angle, every sequence, from the lighting to the music it was all so powerful.

When the credits finally rolled it was hard to tear myself away from the screen. My cheeks were tear stained, and my heart full. I had been completely moved.

I was humbled.
 
I couldn't describe this movie as well as others have done, but I will say that I won't ever forget the experience of seeing it. My best friend and I stood in the cold for over half an hour to even get to the ticket window tonight - neither of us has been very religious lately, either - and it was so worth it. 'The Passion' is phenomenal. I cried nearly all the way through. It was so realistic and incredible. When it ended, the entire theater did not move for at least a solid minute. This movie will stay with me for a long, long time to come.
 
Ooh, mh67511 - good reference! Yes, the profitting off of merchandise screams "wrong" to me.

And on the other issue, I understand that people are deeply moved and find watching the film to be a spiritual experience, but we are a tolerant culture - tolerant of other cultures and views - and we need to remember that.
 
The interview with Diane Sawyer was... "interesting" to say the least.

Is Mel Gibson anti-semetic [she asked]?

No, he answered.

"It's against my relgion and teachings to be racist in any form. So, why would I be anti-semetic considering Jesus was born in Judiah(sp?), where the Jewish word springs from? It doesn't make sense does it?"

They also asked this to the main Jewish leader who is afraid the film will spark (or re-ignite) anti-semetism among Christians and who has been against the film from the start if he himself thinks Mel Gibson is anti-semeetic.

He answered, "No. I don't think Mel Gibson is anti-semetic".

He would just like it if Mel put something along the lines of a coda at the end of the film that says, "Please don't hate the Jewish people" or something similar as a way to make sure the audience (no matter what religion) comes away with the "right" message. Mel has refused on the grounds that by adding such a coda would that it would in fact mean there is something wrong with the film to begin with... Which he doesn't think there is, anti-semetic or not.

I respect him in this sense because I, personally, do not think the film is anti-semetic, nor Mel Gibson is a racist either.

Like he said, if he does this, it's like he is being "Politically Correct" in trying to appease one group who feels "threatened" or offended by it... So why not others? Why doesn't he just say, "This is how it happened... But were not 100% sure, so please, I hope I don't offend anyone be they Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddist, Islam, etc." at the end of the film because that is essentially what he would have to do to please everyone and it just gets rediculous to be blunt.

However, the issue I have with Mel Gibson isn't so much the film itself or whether he has artistic integrity or not. It's the fact that from the interview, he seems almost fanatical in his beliefs after having recovered from his many addictions and "finding God"... Which is dangerous no matter WHAT religion you are, be it Christian, Jewish, Islam, etc.

Fanatasism is why we had 9-11. Fantasism based on relgious grounds is why we had the Crusades and Spanish Inquisition (both Christian lead movements by the way).

This ties in with the climate of the U.S. right now with George Bush and the Relgious Right in that a lot of their attitudes are almost borderline fanatical including the invasion of Iraq. One general actually said George Bush was chosen by God to lead the Christians against the Musilm Threat. This has been documented and isn't some Left-Wing propaganda or conspiracy theories.

It's these kinds of attitudes that worry me as far as "The Passion of the Christ" goes. Again, not so much the film itself or what it is saying... But possibly WHY Mel Gibson said it AND the context of what's going on in the world.

So, when should the film be made if not now, you ask?

Once again, I am not against the film itself as far as artistic expression.

I do, however, worry that it WILL be taken out of context given the current climate we live in (through out the world) and like the Jewish leader (I'm not Jewish by the way), am afraid it may be interpreted and used as propaganda for fanatics to wage another "Holy War" against whomever -- Including other Christians who don't believe what they do -- Based soley because a mainstream movie like this can be cited as saying, "Well, this is what everyone else believes, so why not?"

By the way, not to be an ass... But if what I said offend(s) some of you... So be it.

I don't come to FF to make trouble... But I also don't "live" on these boards like a lot of people do.

I don't need to use smilie faces and other things to validate myself as a person in the real world. What I said may not be politically correct... But that's the point. A lot of stuff going on in the world right now ISN'T politically correct. It's damn right scary in a lot of terms and I feel that if we are going to discuss things, we should do it as adults.

"The Passion of the Christ" is a great catalyst for that level of discussion and am definitely glad it's coming out soon so we can all judge for ourselves whether or not the movie deserves the attention it's gotten, or if it's just the HW hype machine working in overdrive as usual.
 
i totally agree. it's pretty disappointing to see all the merchandising esp that nail. *shakes head*
 
Although I am a christian, I kind of expected this movie to be a little....boring I guess.Due to the subtitles and stuff. But it wasnt in the slightest.
I cried from the whipping bit to pretty much the end, many other people in the movie theatre were crying- some had to walk out of there for a while. As someone has said before- in parts I had to look away, not beacuse it was gory but because my heart was breaking.

I went to see this movie with a group of my guy friends and they are usually the noisest guys in the world- but when we got out of the movie none of us said a single word for about 20 minutes. And I have never seen a movie theatre so quiet after a movie. Complete silence.

It isnt boring- but I wouldnt call it entertainment. Sure its a movie- but I didnt find it entertaining. Wonderfully made? yes, Accurate? I would say so, Moving? yes, Beautiful? Most definetely- but entertaining??
 
I've been home for over 2 hours tonight since I saw it and i'm still not sure what to think. I went into the movie not sure if I'd like the all the blood, but it didn't really bother me. The story was so touching and powerful and I give Mel Gibson all the dignity in the world for making this movie, it taught me things about my faith I never knew and is making me explore it further. But as a Christian watching this movie, I got the sense of being a bad one and just thinking of ways I could be a better person and make Jesus proud because he did die for our sins.

It was purely a sight to see, I've never been to a movie that had such a diversity of people where the theatre was completely quiet the whole movie and even got claps at the end. As I watched, I didn't see any point of anti-sematism like people are reporting. I don't see how people can see that, because it's the bible. I also liked the betrayal of Satan, although the part with him/her [in the credits it was a woman, but in the movie it looked like a man] holding the baby...I don't understand at all.

When someone asked me tonight how I liked it all I could say was "It was amazing." I was literally speechless.

Whoever, said about the baby being the anti-christ, thanks because I didn't get that scene.

Wonderful avatars, I think Monica Bechulli did an excellent job.

Mapledonuts- I completely agree with you, although Satan was played by a woman. I also agree about the subtitles, I think the movie would be just as powerful without them.

[ 02-28-2004: Message edited
 
I agree. I have yet to see the movie, but I *have* read Christian reviews that did not put this movie up on a pedestal.

I too am kind of angry about the commercialization of it. Those necklaces have been around for a while, but I don't like how they are associating them with the movie. And mugs? It just seems sick to me. It reminds me of when Jesus went into the Temple and got angry at the people who were selling and buying in it. "My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'"
 
While I wouldn't state the issue quite as strongly as DCreekFreak, I do think your statement is equally unfair.

Really - people have the right to their own beliefs and own views, and if they disagree with you, that doesn't make them wrong or ignorant, just different.

That's what I don't like about this film - it irks me that people are taking it as Gospel. It's a movie - make no mistake about that. Just because it's in Aramaic and Hebrew doesn't make it "accurate." It's Mel Gibson's version of The Passion, and may be close to what actually happened, but we'll never really know.

After all, the Gospels themselves portray slightly differing events. I'm just saying that we need to be open minded and fair, and more importantly generous to those who aren't like us - and isn't that part of what true Christianity is about?
 
Yes, I know that it was his father that outrightly admitted to being a Holocaust denier, but Mel didn't agree or disagree with his father, leading me to believe that he is with his father to an extent on that one. If he did not believe in his father's downright offensive and ludicrous ideas, he would have simply answered "Yes, it did happen" upfront. But, he beat around the bush.

He definitely belittled the Holocaust in that article making it sound like it wasn't as big a deal as it was. He compared soldiers dying in war to innocent people being singled out and brutally murdered simply because of their religion.

[ 02-29-2004: Message edited DCreekFreak ]
 
The movie was so touching. I didn't expect that Christ suffered and experienced that kind of torture during His time. I even cried knowing Christ's agony. Never thought that Jesus would really sacrifice Himself just to wash away human sins.

How great He is..!!!!
 
If I had to use one word to sum it up: Garbage. Watch it to see Monica Bellucci and how much you'd want to bang Mary Magdalene. Or just watch it to see Jesus get:

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I can't wait to see this movie! I'm planning to watch it Saturday with my mom. A lot of my friends who aren't Christian are really interested in seeing this film as well because of the realism this movie portrays. It's unlike any other Jesus film out there.

I think a lot of people are worried about freedom of speech. These people need to grow up and realize that people who actually have religions may get just as offended by the people who are trying to take it away. So what if Mel is trying to give out a message to to people with tPotC? Take it or leave it. No one's forcing you to believe in everything you watch.
 
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