The Passion of the Christ

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I just saw the movie today and I was just amazed by it! I haven't been impressed by a movie in such a long time.

I'm Christian but I wouldn't consider myself religious. I hardly cried during the movie but during one of the flashbacks, I bawled my head off and so did my dad. I think the flashbacks were very good in pointing out that Jesus was human...he lived a pretty normal life, he had friends, he had family, and he didn't deserve the abuse he got. Whether you believe he was the Son of God or not, that doesn't matter. The movie clearly showed this was an innocent man who felt the pain that was cast on him.

As for the anti-Semitism...I didn't see it. Jesus himself was a Jew. Jews may have demanded his death but along the way, a lot of people started to feel guilty for what they did. Others were objecting it from the start. It wasn't about what group of people who killed Jesus...it was about the hate that killed Jesus. The ones that kept beating him were laughing...it just disturbed me how happy they were in torturing a defenseless man.

Thanks to the person who explained the demonic baby! I was really confused by that as well! The person who played Satan was perfectly cast. The way he glared just creeped me out.

I also thought Jim Caviezel was perfect as Jesus. Mel was right when he said there was that innocence and strength to him. Jesus was definitely portrayed as this innocent man but just the way he glared right back at the people hurting him was just so powerful...that was a strength in itself.

And I loved the Aramaic! I thought having subtitles would distract from the film but after a while, it became second nature to see the words and the visuals at the same time. I got used to the language and forgot that they weren't talking in English.

Can't say enough about this movie. Even the movement was great. It just flowed and almost dance-like. If nothing else, this movie is definitely a piece of art.

[ 02-28-2004: Message edited Mapledonuts ]

[ 02-28-2004: Message edited Mapledonuts ]
 
I agree with a lot of what you said.

The flashbacks were amazing and while they could have taken away from the movie, I think they only added to it. My friends and I were just talking about how we often forget that Jesus was a real man who had a family and would joke around and had friends he loved, just like us.

A lot of criticism I've heard is also based on the fact that the movie doesn't make Jesus' teachings clear enough or give enough background to the story or doesn't develop the other characters very well. But like Gibson said, the movie is called The Passion of the Christ not The Teachings of Christ or The Life of Christ.

I agree with you that it was not just one group of people who killed Jesus. Although the film is correct in the events leading up to his death, he died for all mankind. I like that Gibson made a point to note that in interviews and also made his hand be the hand that nailed the stake to show that he was responsible, too.
 
The truth is that Passion plays used to be shown to ignite anti-Semetic passions in people and afterward they'd all go out and start killing Jewish people. That's where a lot of the controversy is coming from.

[ 03-04-2004: Message edited DCreekFreak ]
 
You're absolutely right. It's ridiculous, but it happens. Movies can ignite false passions in people and you don't know what they are capable of doing. Hopefully, this whole thing has been blown out of proportion and there's nothing to worry about. I'm just saying, don't be so quick to dismiss the possibility.
 
If religion offends some people, then some people need to understand that their ways offend religious people. I'm offended by Hollywood often and there is a desperate need for such a movie as THE PASSION OF CHRIST for those viewers who have a relationship with Christ. We deserve quality movies to see as well.
I have never in my life had such respect for an actor in Hollywood then Mel Gibson. I'm so proud of him and pray God blesses him for being so bold.
My Mother and Father have not been to the movie theaters in years all because of the movies that Hollywood puts out. It doesn't appeal to them and what they believe in. Finally, for the first time in so long, decades- there going to the movies to see THE PASSION OF CHRIST.
 
I have a question...what was the verse that was at the beginning of the movie? I so badly want it because I remember at the time I really really liked it...but I can't remember it!

Lyndsey
 
Yeah I know! It's going to be cool when Jesus says the famous words, "My God, why have you forsaken me?" in the actual language.... (I'm just paraphrasing what he said...)
 
I want to see this movie to support Mel Gibson and to support my beliefs as a Christian. I think it's very bold that Mel Gibson made this movie. I also love that he used the native language and not English.
 
And to follow up some of my above points, someone just forwarded this link to me.

There's no mention of the money going to charity, or anything.

Frankly, I have a really strong issue with people profitting off of the suffering of Christ. The nail pendant? I don't find that spiritual - I find that to be in bad taste. *shakes head*
 
For a movie depicting the last hours of Christ, I thought it was overwhelmingly moving and depressing movie, but also an experience unlike any other I
 
Thank you for bumping this up, Tina!

I never rewatched the movie, but it was so powerful that it stays with you regardless. I agree that what Jesus went through was painful and totally unimaginable. The movie brought it home in an incredible way.
 
I saw it on Saturday afternoon. Like someone else said here, I didn't cry, because I was too numb and in shock to cry. I'd read articles that talk about the physical aspects of crucifixion, so I knew it was brutal, but this puts it into perspective.

(Possible spoilers, although I'll try to be very general)

I didn't find it anti-semitic, although like someone said, if you went into it looking for anti-semitic things, then you'll probably find what you want. But it seemed like for every Jew yelling "Crucify him!", there were many more sobbing in the street as he carried the cross to the hill. The streets were packed with Jewish people sobbing and crying, begging them to release Jesus. Simon, who helped Jesus carry the cross, was Jewish, and depicted in extremely high light, helping Jesus, whispering encouragement to him, yelling at the Roman guards when they spit and kicked Jesus. There was also the young woman who came down from her house and went to Jesus who lay on the ground, offering him a clean cloth and a drink of water. And, I know that as a Christian, I don't think "The Jews killed Jesus", I think "Jesus died for us". It's not a matter of who carried out God's plan, it's that God's plan was carried out. Unfortunately, there have been too many people throughout history who have NOT seen it this way, and I think people need to understand that Jews will feel this way, just as it can be understood that for Christians at least, we don't see it that way.

Anyway, I thought the movie was incredibly moving, and I'm glad it was made. As a read somewhere in an article, after years and years of people reducing Jesus Christ to a name that's yelled out when someone stubs their toe or gets angry, it's nice to finally see something that shows Jesus as he was--the suffering servant, a man of love and forgiveness and hope.
 
Mel Gibson never denied that the Holocaust ever happened, that was his father. Actually his father said that he didn't believe that 6 million Jews died in the Holocaust, and something else but I forgot.

I've actually read an interview he did in a magazine, Readers Digest I think, that he believes the Holocaust did happen and he even knew some people who went through it.

[ 02-29-2004: Message edited Liliya ]
 
As for the Anti-Semetic concern, i can see why they do fear that the movie will promote hatred... The Jews have been through so much, hence their concern... but I don't think tPOTC promotes anti-semetisim... I hope that when they watch it, they'll realize the movie's not about hating them, but about
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.... SPOILER: I mean there were Pharisees that Jesus did talk to like Nicodemus... (well it's not in the movie), but also in the trial, not all the Jewish leaders were against Jesus! I mean some priests were like, "What are we doing here? This man's innocent.. the witnesses are full of contradictions!"
 
I saw it tonight and I was just like "whoa"
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It was really moving. It has gotten alot of controversy and negative responses by people. But I'm going to choose to believe that those people just don't know the truth. I cried on 3 major parts and it's one of those things you'll never forget.
 
4 years since someone has posted in this thread... but heopfully my post will revive it!

My financee and I rented this movie through nextflix and loved it. It was a very touching movie. I couldn't stand what they were doing to Jesus (hurting him). I had to turn away. This movie strengthens my faith even more. It was just very moving and touching. I would like to share a video with you:

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"... Death couldn't handle him, and the grave couldn't hold him!"

There is a Christian thread on the Communities board... I post there quite often and there is a lovely group of people... feel free to join us! :)
 
What do you all think about Mel Gibson belittling (and possibly denying) the Holocaust? I know some people who were going to see it, but after reading up on some of Mel's views decided not to give their money to such an anti-Semetic "cause" (for a lack of a better word).
 
the movie has grossed 117 million so far. that's amazing for a movie with a budget of only 25 million.
 
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