Mel Gibson's "The Passion Of Christ" [Archive] - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Jenya

01-26-2004, 04:25 PM

Well sorry it took a day for my review, but here it goes:

The Passion Of The Christ is a masterpiece, but it is very controversial. Much of the story blames the Jewish people for his crucifixion- which is why there is so much debate on it. But on the other hand, Pope John Paul II claims this film is very accurate. James Caviezel does a great job as Mr. Christ (I'd sooner use that term than Jesus Christ- it's more polite ;) ), and there is even a Satan character, played by Rosalinda Celentano.

This film is very graphic due to the violence portrayed leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus.

The cinematography is dark, but remarkable, and the costumes that were used are really cool.

Anyway, I don't want to give out any more details. This film is highly recommended- it's not for young kids at all. The film rating is 18+ here in Canada ("R" in the United States).

I think everybody will like it- which ever religion you practice. :)

Jenya

01-26-2004, 06:19 PM

Originally posted by pavanbadal
Interview with Mel on the movie and other things, in a special hour long special hosted by Diane Sawyer:

A Special Edition Of Primetime "Mel Gibson: The Passion of Christ" (Working Title) will air on Monday, February 16, 2004 in the 10:00 - 11:00 PM ET/PT on ABC.

Thanks for the info, Pav. :)

By the way-- Early reports from my company are telling me that the DVD/Video production of this movie will start sometime in May, and DVD/Video duplication will most likely begin sometime in August.

There is no set release date for the DVD/Video just yet, but I hear it may be in stores as early as October. :)

Rhiannon

01-26-2004, 08:24 PM

Mel Gibson is such a great actor. I am excited about seeing this!

Jenya

02-06-2004, 11:53 AM

Is The Passion Of Christ Anti-Semitic?

By:Robert Novak
Townhall.com (http://www.townhall.com/)

November 03, 2003

http://www.townhall.com/graphics1/columnists/novak.gif

WASHINGTON -- When a private viewing of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of Christ" was completed at a Washington hotel 10 days ago, my wife and I along with a dozen other invited guests were emotionally frozen into several minutes of silence. The question is whether public presentation of the film four months hence shall be welcomed by tumultuous demonstrations outside the theaters.

Hollywood actor Gibson, who spent over $25 million of personal funds to produce "The Passion," has finally found a distributor to begin its showing Feb. 25 -- Ash Wednesday. A campaign by some Jewish leaders to radically edit the film or, alternatively, prevent its exhibition appears to have failed. This opens the door to religious conflict if the critics turn their criticism into public protest.

That is not because of the content of "The Passion." As a journalist who has actually seen what the producers call "a rough cut" of the movie and not just read about it, I can report it is free of the anti-Semitism that its detractors claim. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and its allies began attacking the movie on the basis of reading a shooting script without having actually seen the film. The ADL carries a heavy burden in stirring religious strife about a piece of entertainment that, apart from its artistic value, is of deep religious significance for believing Christians.

The agitation peaked in early August when New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind told a rally: "This film is dangerous for Jews all over the world. I am concerned that it would lead to violence against Jews." Hikind had not viewed the film. After an ADL representative viewed a rough cut, longtime ADL director Abraham Foxman on Aug. 11 declared the movie "will fuel hatred, bigotry and anti-Semitism." Foxman called on Gibson to change his film so that it would be "free of any anti-Semitic message." This renews the 200-year-old dispute over the Jewish role in the crucifixion of Christ, the source of past Jewish persecution.

"The Passion" depicts in two hours the last 12 hours of Jesus Christ's life. To watch him beaten, scourged and crucified so graphically is a shattering experience for believing Christians and surely for many non-Christians as well. It makes previous movie versions of the crucifixion look like Hollywood fluff. Gibson wants to avoid an "R" rating, but violence is not what bothers Abe Foxman.

Foxman and other critics complain that the Jewish high priest Caiphas and a Jewish mob are demanding Christ's execution, but that is straight from the Gospels. Father C. John McCloskey, director of the Catholic Information Center in Washington, told me: "If you find the Scriptures anti-Semitic, you'll find this film anti-Semitic."

Complaints by liberal Bible scholars that "The Passion" is not faithful to Scripture are rejected by the Vatican. Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, who heads the Congregation for the Clergy, called the film "a triumph of art and faith," adding: "Mel Gibson not only closely follows the narrative of the Gospels, giving the viewer a new appreciation for those biblical passages, but his artistic choices also make the film faithful to the meaning of the Gospels."

As for inciting anti-Semitism, Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos contended "the film does nothing of the sort." This Vatican official is denying that Gibson violates the 1965 papal document Nostra Aetate, which states: "What happened in (Christ's) passion cannot be charged against all the Jews, without distinction, then alive, nor against the Jews of today."

No such libel is committed by "The Passion," where the mob's Jewish identity is not specified. In the film, the high priest's men who seize Christ are easily surpassed in brutality by sadistic Roman soldiers. The Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, is depicted as a weak, calculating politician who orders the execution. As a Catholic convert, I was taught we are all sinners who share in guilt for the crucifixion.

At the heart of the dispute over "The Passion" is freedom of expression. Liberals who defended the right to exhibit Martin Scorsese's "The Last Temptation of Christ," which deeply offended orthodox Christians, now demand censorship of "The Passion of Christ." As a result, Abe Foxman and his allies have risked stirring religious tensions over a work of art.

I am Him

02-06-2004, 12:01 PM

Will Jesus be portrayed as a boring robot with no personality and a monotone voice like he is in every other film?

webuster

02-06-2004, 01:17 PM

Will Jesus be portrayed as a boring robot with no personality and a monotone voice like he is in every other film?

That's what I hate too about religious films. Jesus is way too calm, and talks like he's patronising everyone, and sounds spaced out.

Also, I hate it when organizations get involved with censoring films or any form of art. If this film was being made by some obscure little guy in New Jersey with a $250 video camera with his friends in the garage- they wouldn't care. It's because this film is getting so much attention, it's big-budget, mel gibson etc. Besides, I think people are smarter these days- everyone is always reminded of the holocaust, few people would ever run out and start an anti-semitic hate parade because of a film.

dlemond

02-06-2004, 01:25 PM

These protest groups are full of such BS and drama you'd think they were the ones in need of attention.

You know, the Italians are part of the crucifixtion and I think that can start some ant-Italian sentiment too. So let's ban the film and the Bible. I'm going on a coast to coast quest to every hotel and confiscating Bibles from their rooms.

Ridiculous people.

It's like saying a movie about Hitler is going to stir up anti-German sentiment. And that was in the last 60 years and the Germans killed millions of Jews.

The ADL is more like the "Look at me-League"
Go get a hobby.

webuster

02-06-2004, 05:12 PM

Amen to everything you said dlemond, or maybe I shouldn't say Amen, or the ADL will hunt me down for making all 1000 other religious groups feel left out.

Groups supposedly representing the views of a minority are always there to just stir up some conflict, maybe they need to check the computers are still working, so they send someone in once in a while to check, and write up a crappy complaint while they're there.

Jenya

02-06-2004, 06:01 PM

Originally posted by webuster
Amen to everything you said dlemond, or maybe I shouldn't say Amen, or the ADL will hunt me down for making all 1000 other religious groups feel left out.

Groups supposedly representing the views of a minority are always there to just stir up some conflict, maybe they need to check the computers are still working, so they send someone in once in a while to check, and write up a crappy complaint while they're there.

There were a few Jewish people who watched the film with me, before it was sent out to theaters for distribution. One Jewish guy basically told me that there will most likely be a huge dispute to the whole history of the film, because Mel Gibson is Catholic.

The Jewish employees from my company enjoyed the film, but didn't really criticized it.

GeorgeJefferson

02-06-2004, 06:47 PM

Judging by the posts on this forum, it sounds like this film is going to be well-received by audiences despite anything its critics have said about it being anti-semitic. Why don't they just call the Bible anti-semitic?

EricIdlefan

02-06-2004, 09:52 PM

The guy playing Jesus Jim Caviezel(rhymes with weasel) is a devout catholic as well and this movie is the most controversal movie ever in the history of motion pictures!!

dlemond

02-06-2004, 11:36 PM

Originally posted by EricIdlefan
The guy playing Jesus Jim Caviezel(rhymes with weasel) is a devout catholic as well and this movie is the most controversal movie ever in the history of motion pictures!!

I wouldn't go that far.

I think The Last Temptation of Christ actually got more notoriety when it was released.

Sometimes it seems like it's a war between the outraged Catholics and the outraged Jews.

And beyond religion, I think there are other movies that were more controversial- at least in the public eye.

But religion is the hot bed, no doubt.
Though Catholic, I am still amazed at the lengths which people go to in an effort to stop filmmakers from making any remark upon their religion.

If someone made a movie about Jesus being gay do I think that is a blemish upon Jesus? Get a grip.

All in all, rising above a MOVIE, yes people a movie, says a lot more than getting your panties in a bunch.

If you have faith- whatever religion you are- suck it up. And know that this too shall pass.
You should know better.

Man, people are dumb.

Brad Russ

02-07-2004, 02:08 PM

The thing that really gets me about this whole thing is how when "The Last Temptation Of Christ" came out, how so many liberals backed it up, and talked about freedom of speech and all that, yet now, many of them are trying to stop "The Passion" from being released. How is it that someone can do everything in their power to support one film claiming freedom of speech, and not the other? Very hypocritical. From everything Iv'e read, "The Passion" seems to be a pretty accurate Biblical portrayal of the last 12 hours of Jesus' life, unlike the "Last Temptation" which many people considered blasphemous. I will never understand how someone can protest history.

Another thing I don't understand is why so many Jewish people get so upset at the idea that it was actually the Jews of those days who were responsible for the death of Christ. And by the way, the Jewish people of that time were the ones mainly responsible for Christ's death. Read 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16. The thing is though, this happened over 2000 years ago. Why so many Jewish people would still be so upset over this issue today, is beyond me. I am half German, and I'm sure my geneology has some bad blood somewhere in their, particularly from the days of naziism. But that doesn't mean I'm like that. I think many Jewish people need to look at Jesus the same way. Just because some of your ancestors were possibly involved with Jesus' crucifixion, that has very little to do with you, and who you are today.

I also find it odd how most of the people boycotting this movie haven't even seen it. I was reading an article about this film a couple months ago, and it turns out that of all the Jewish people Mel showed this film to, only one had negative things to say about it, and I actually read a few extremely positive reviews of this movie from various Jewish people. So all this picketing, and all these accusations are coming from people who haven't even seen the film. I find that to be incredibly odd.

www.thepassionofthechrist.com

Jenya

02-16-2004, 11:06 PM

The interview with Mel Gibson was really good tonight. I liked how Diane Sawyer covered it from all angles.

~*Hannah_Lee*~

02-17-2004, 12:34 AM

Originally posted by mdntrider7
Another thing I don't understand is why so many Jewish people get so upset at the idea that it was actually the Jews of those days who were responsible for the death of Christ. And by the way, the Jewish people of that time were the ones mainly responsible for Christ's death. Read 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16. The thing is though, this happened over 2000 years ago. Why so many Jewish people would still be so upset over this issue today, is beyond me. I am half German, and I'm sure my geneology has some bad blood somewhere in their, particularly from the days of naziism. But that doesn't mean I'm like that. I think many Jewish people need to look at Jesus the same way. Just because some of your ancestors were possibly involved with Jesus' crucifixion, that has very little to do with you, and who you are today.

I know exactly what you mean. That would be like some Americans trying to keep the Hallmark channel from showing "Roots" because it portrays some of their slave owning ancesters in a bad light.

Brad Russ

02-17-2004, 11:32 AM

Originally posted by ~*Hannah_Lee*~
I know exactly what you mean. That would be like some Americans trying to keep the Hallmark channel from showing "Roots" because it portrays some of their slave owning ancesters in a bad light.

That's a very good point. We can't hide the truth from people simply because they may be offended by it. I think it would be far worse not to acknowledge these types of things, because I believe it would greater the chance of them happening again. Sometimes people need a visible description of something to truly see how it really was, and I believe more good will come out of "The Passion," then bad. This movie wasn't made to hurt a certain group of people like many claim, it was made to help them!

Jenya

02-19-2004, 07:36 PM

Mel Gibson's Father Denies Holocaust, Again

ASSOCIATED PRESS (http://www.ap.org/)

Thursday February 19, 2004

NEW YORK — Days before the release of Mel Gibson's film about the death of Jesus, which some critics say could fuel anti-Semitism, his father has told an interviewer that the Holocaust was mostly "fiction."

Steve Feuerstein — host of Speak Your Piece! — said he interviewed Hutton Gibson for a segment of his show to be broadcast Monday by the small Talkline Communications Network.

According to a transcript released by the network, Hutton Gibson said: "It's all — maybe not all fiction — but most of it is," when asked about his views on the Holocaust.

"They claimed that there were 6.2 million (Jews) in Poland before the war, and after the war there were 200,000, therefore he (Hitler) must have killed six million of them," he said. "They simply got up and left. They were all over the Bronx and Brooklyn and Sydney and Los Angeles."

The interview comes at a sensitive time for Mel Gibson, whose epic film The Passion of the Christ is due to open Wednesday.

Some Jewish leaders say the movie could fuel anti-Semitism for its portrayal of Jews' role in the crucifixion, while conservative Christians have praised it as a moving depiction of Christ's death.

Gibson, who produced, directed and co-wrote the film, has said repeatedly that he is not anti-Semitic and that the project was a deeply personal expression of his own faith.

Hutton Gibson has an unpublished phone number at his home outside Houston and could not be reached for comment. Alan Nierob, a spokesman for Mel Gibson, declined to comment on the interview.

Hutton Gibson follows a tiny wing of traditionalist Catholicism that views the modernizing reforms of the Second Vatican Council as a conspiracy between Jews and Masons to take over the church.

The elder Gibson has stirred controversy in previous interviews with remarks on the Holocaust and Judaism, but had kept quiet in the months leading up to the release of The Passion.

In this latest interview, Hutton Gibson said Jews want to take over the world. He did not know why Jews would want to achieve that, but said "it's all about control. They're after one world religion and one world government."

Asked in media interviews whether he shares his father's views, Mel Gibson has said that he loves his father and will not speak against him.

Zev Brenner, owner of Talkline, which he calls a Jewish network, has been calling for a boycott of all of Mel Gibson's movies.

Dilly

02-22-2004, 02:59 AM

I simply can't wait to see this amazing movie! I've known for some time that the crucifiction was terribly violent and bloody and that Our Lord suffered beyond what is humanly possible. They say that after watching this film you will never be able to look at a crucifix the same way again.

I saw the interview with Mel Gibson and thought he did wonderful and was so honest and brave. He's going through a lot and handling it well.

The movie isn't even out yet and many showings are sold out. This is going to be so moving. I'll bring lots of tissues.

barwars

02-22-2004, 10:42 AM

Originally posted by Jenya
I get to screen the final Master Print of The Passion Of Christ this Sunday. The movie is ready to be shipped to theaters on Monday (our company is finished duplicating the film). I can't wait to see it. I don't want to spoil it for anybody, but I'll give a sneak review on it Sunday evening. :)

Uhh.... dont tell me who dies.

barwars

02-22-2004, 10:46 AM

You know whats really weird about this movie??

Those big "arena churches" where people go for like 4 or 5 hours every Sunday.... (at least where I live).... have rented out the movie theater and are turning it into a "service" featuring the film.

Wait, Im confused.... its not in English??
And no subtitles??

....screw this.
Ive seen interviews.... Mel Gibson has gone pyscho.

Jenya

02-22-2004, 11:01 PM

Originally posted by barwars88
Uhh.... dont tell me who dies.

Don't worry. I won't spoil it for you! ;)

AllIWantIsYourClutch

02-23-2004, 06:39 PM

Originally posted by barwars88
You know whats really weird about this movie??

Those big "arena churches" where people go for like 4 or 5 hours every Sunday.... (at least where I live).... have rented out the movie theater and are turning it into a "service" featuring the film.

Wait, Im confused.... its not in English??
And no subtitles??

....screw this.
Ive seen interviews.... Mel Gibson has gone pyscho. My church isn't renting out a theater, but we're ordering mass amounts of tickets in advance.

LucyCompanyPhan

02-23-2004, 09:31 PM

Theres always gonna be something that bothers people.

I would just say, Don't take any young children to see this. I heard of a bunch of groups going with kids from 7 to 14 and I don't think anyone under 15 should see this movie, and even still. This is too much for anyone to handle, don't take your kids. If I see this, I don't wanna be in a theater with kids. (and im 16)

Brent88

02-24-2004, 12:13 AM

No way I will see this anytime soon. I would never make it through this movie... I am not one who likes really bloody, violent movies, and this seems to be just that. I get this sick feeling just thinking about the movie and seeing the relatively few clips on TV on it.

Janice

02-24-2004, 01:01 PM

AP Movie Review:

'Passion' Is Brutal

By CHRISTY LEMIRE

The frightened speculation from religious leaders and frantic banter from 24-hour cable news pundits can end now: "The Passion of the Christ" is arriving in theaters - about 2,800 of them - in a shrewd marketing move by Mel Gibson to let everyone see and judge the film for themselves.

And the film is frightening - not for its dogma, but for the relentlessness of its brutality. Gibson, as director, producer and co-writer, is fetishistic in his depiction of the pain Jesus suffered during the last 12 hours of his life. The beating and whipping and ripping of skin become so repetitive, they'll leave the audience emotionally drained and stunned.

Yes, yes. That's the point, Gibson has said - he wants his film to be shockingly graphic to show the humanity of Christ's sacrifice.

But the idea that children should see "The Passion" as a learning device - that churches are organizing screenings and theater trips for their parishioners and catechism classes - is truly shocking. Grown-ups - even true believers - will have difficulty sitting through the film. Just think of the trauma it will inflict on kids.

As for the widely reported criticisms that "The Passion" might foster anti-Semitism, let's just say nearly everyone ends up looking responsible for the death of Jesus (a lean and intense Jim Caviezel).

Roman soldiers, speaking Latin, strip him down to practically nothing, chain him to a rock and scourge him until he collapses in a bloody heap of shredded flesh; when Pontius Pilate asks the surging crowd, "Isn't this enough?" Jewish elders, speaking Aramaic, call for Jesus' Crucifixion, which the Romans gleefully carry out.

The few sympathetic figures are Jewish: Jesus' mother, Mary (Maia Morgenstern, a Jewish actress whom Gibson frequently consulted on the set); his disciples; and Mary Magdalene (Monica Bellucci).

Despite its gruesome content, "The Passion" is beautifully photographed - and it's a huge, meticulously detailed film, as you would expect anything from Gibson to be. Early scenes in the Garden of Olives, where Jesus is being tempted by Satan (the androgynous Rosalinda Celantano), are bathed in mist and moonlight, similar to the opening battle sequence in "Braveheart," which earned Gibson Oscars for best picture and best director.

Gibson asked cinematographer Caleb Deschanel to make the film look like a painting by the Baroque artist Caravaggio, and Deschanel has accomplished that. The lighting of the Italian locations is intimate and dramatic, often ominous in its contrast with the consuming darkness.

But any of the film's subtle beauty, or the possibility for religious inspiration, will be drowned out by John Debney's score - which is unnecessarily insistent considering the intensity of the action on screen - and washed away amid the bloodshed.

"The Passion of the Christ," a Newmarket Films release, is rated R for sequences of graphic violence. In Latin and Aramaic with English subtitles. Running time: 127 minutes. Two stars out of four.

LucyCompanyPhan

02-24-2004, 03:53 PM

is there english subtitles or no?

Brent88

02-24-2004, 06:05 PM

Only two stars out of four? Sounds like a bunch of worthless hype.

Brian

02-24-2004, 06:10 PM

Originally posted by Brent88
No way I will see this anytime soon. I would never make it through this movie... I am not one who likes really bloody, violent movies, and this seems to be just that. I get this sick feeling just thinking about the movie and seeing the relatively few clips on TV on it.

I'm that way, too. I couldn't make it through the first hour of Braveheart (I stopped watching after the scene with the first battle in which William Wallace said before the clash that they "cannot take our freedom"). It would still be interesting to see this movie. Maybe I should tell myself that the violence and blood are fake.

Brent88

02-24-2004, 07:11 PM

After I posted that last night and went to sleep... I couldn't go to sleep for awhile and felt sick! :eek: This morning after a good night's sleep(just later than usual) I was fine. I guess thinking about the movie got to me.

Jenya

02-24-2004, 07:12 PM

Originally posted by Brent88
Only two stars out of four? Sounds like a bunch of worthless hype.

Well I give it ***½ out of 4 Stars. I thought it was excellent. :)

EricIdlefan

02-25-2004, 02:02 AM

My brother and his wife got tickets to see a preview and said it was just an awesome movie. It felt and looked so real and they said that the movie theater where they saw it at was just packed. Also in the paper it says that the movie will be seen in over 3,000 screens but a movie critic said that it could go up to over 4,000 screens a record for a movie. The movie is probably one of the most if not the most controversal movie in movie history.

Janice

02-25-2004, 02:27 AM

Originally posted by Brent88
Only two stars out of four? Sounds like a bunch of worthless hype.
That's only one review. I'll be interested to read more reviews this weekend. :)

Pitooey

02-25-2004, 09:52 AM

I don't like bloody movies either but, I will go to see the film. Not yet though.......

I want to go when alot of the hoopla dies down. For some reason I feel that some people might act out in anger if they see this film so I'm willing to wait.

*Pleasant Tomorrow*

02-25-2004, 09:55 PM

Originally posted by david&maddie4ever
Looking forward to it! :D

Aren't there a bunch of Jewish people who are dead-set against this movie? I thought I heard that they felt they are not being portrayed accurately. :lol:

~Lauren

:sheep

They're saying it's the worst possible thinhg against Jewish people or something... I think they're taking it a little too seriously.

It does seem interesting, but I have to go see it anyway. I'm going with my churchschool class on Saturday. Not looking forward to the gore, but ah well, I have a strong stomach. It should be worth seeing.

°Bubbly Blonde°

02-25-2004, 10:30 PM

I saw it for free today with 200 other teen youth from my church...Yeah it was veryyyyy powerful...I did kind of get teary eyed. :crying: It was very brutal though, I dont see how anyone could take little children to see that. It was just very painful to watch and it was like...you kept waiting for the violent scenes to sort of move on, but it didnt.

LucyCompanyPhan

02-25-2004, 11:33 PM

I heard alot of athiest bashing this movie and saying how offensive they are to it but what i don't get...if this was a movie about budhha (spelling?) or Darwin they wouldn't care half as much.

Also I read alot of reviews and they have been mix. half liked it, half didn't. The mean problem they said was that There was so much gore that after awhile you got the point and it was too much. Like, I know Mel Gibson wanted to make it realistic, but he could've easily did that with the same message without the violence. I just heard that there was more focus on the gore than the actual spiritual part.

Dilly

02-26-2004, 01:24 AM

I haven't seen it yet but I understand why Mel Gibson wanted to show how horrendous was the crucifixion of Christ and what He went through for us. It was meant to wake us up and see what our real purpose in life is. We can all be Apostles of Jesus in our own way but not if He isn't central in our lives.

Microprosa

02-26-2004, 03:28 AM

I was going to see it today, but it was sold out, so I'm seeing it Saturday. And this time I bought the tickets online.

Jenya

02-26-2004, 10:55 AM

webuster

02-26-2004, 02:35 PM

Those big "arena churches" where people go for like 4 or 5 hours every Sunday.... (at least where I live).... have rented out the movie theater and are turning it into a "service" featuring the film.

Sounds like The Passion of Christ could become the next rocky horror! Anyway, over here the film hasn't got as much publicity- no religion teachers in our school or anything hanve mentioned it. I saw a picture in the paper of the crucifixion in the film, it is more gruesome than I thought it'd be. I hate gore in films, but I really want to see this. It's out here on the 26th of March (I think) so I'll definitely try see it (it's 18 though).

RWCTV

02-26-2004, 03:58 PM

Originally posted by Jenya
Much of the story blames the Jewish people for his crucifixion- which is why there is so much debate on it. But on the other hand, Pope John Paul II claims this film is very accurate.

The film does not BLAME the Jewish people at all. In that area, you had the Jews and the Romans. I did not even notice anything remotely Anti-Semitic. At the beginning of the film, you have the verse from Issaiah "He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities". 700 B.C.

It is clear to any Christian, and hopefully to seculars, that CHRIST GAVE HIMSELF UP FOR US, so that WE can have ETERNAL LIFE.

Also remember that Jesus was born a Jew.

Jenya

02-26-2004, 04:46 PM

Originally posted by RWCTV
The film does not BLAME the Jewish people at all. In that area, you had the Jews and the Romans. I did not even notice anything remotely Anti-Semitic. At the beginning of the film, you have the verse from Issaiah "He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities". 700 B.C.

It is clear to any Christian, and hopefully to seculars, that CHRIST GAVE HIMSELF UP FOR US, so that WE can have ETERNAL LIFE.

Also remember that Jesus was born a Jew.

Your right. A few Jewish people I know say the movie tends to blame them for Jesus' death.

I don't really believe that because Hollywood film directors tend to stretch the truth, when they try to tell a story from the past. :)

EricIdlefan

02-26-2004, 04:50 PM

Near a New York City theatre about 1,000 Jewish leaders and/or rabbis protested the film for being anti-semetic but Mel Gibson thinks that the scenes are like you had to be there to see Jesus's hands and feet nailed to a cross and the hurt that he felt much, much, more than somebody getting shot or stabbed!!

AllIWantIsYourClutch

02-26-2004, 08:29 PM

Originally posted by webuster
Sounds like The Passion of Christ could become the next rocky horror! I don't think I'd want to see what people would come dressed as...

dr frasier crane

02-29-2004, 12:04 AM

I just went to see it. Wow! What a movie. It's almost impossible not to cry when you watch it. I definitely think Mel Gibson should get an Oscar nomination (or even win) for directing. It was gory and graphic, but it has to be that way to be historically accurate.

Dilly

02-29-2004, 01:37 AM

I saw it too and highly recommend it. Definitely one of the greatest films I have ever seen. I know the Gospels really well so I knew what to expect but still it is magnificent!
Mel Gibson deserves endless rewards for his hard work getting Jesus' horrific death on screen but will probably only receive his reward in Heaven, and what a reward it will be!
I was crying within the first five minutes of the movie. To see Our Lord in tears was just the beginning of Passion of the Christ.

*Pleasant Tomorrow*

02-29-2004, 12:32 PM

I thought it was a really awesome movie. It helped me understand everything that happened better and I don't think they could've done a better job.

Brad Russ

03-01-2004, 04:42 AM

'Passion' Hauls in $117.5M in Five Days
Sunday February 29 2:56 PM ET

Mel Gibson's gamble on "The Passion of the Christ" paid off enormously, riding a storm of religious debate to a $117.5 million haul in its first five days, according to studio estimates Sunday.

"The Passion," which debuted on Ash Wednesday, rocketed to the No. 1 box-office slot for the weekend with $76.2 million from Friday to Sunday. It was the seventh-best three-day opening ever, behind "Spider-Man" at $114.8 million and such Hollywood franchises as "The Matrix Reloaded" and the first two "Harry Potter" movies.

"The Passion" put up the second-best five-day figures for a movie opening on Wednesday, behind last year's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" at $124.1 million and ahead of "Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace" at $105.6 million.

The first movie released in 2004 to cross the $100 million mark, "The Passion" easily passed the weekend's No. 2 flick, "50 First Dates" at $88.7 million, as the year's top-grossing film.

Once considered a niche film that would appeal mainly to conservative Christians, the bloody chronicle of Christ's crucifixion swelled to blockbuster proportions as Gibson rallied church groups to support it and accusations of anti-Semitism brought mainstream attention.

"It's an event movie," said Bruce Davey, Gibson's partner in his film company Icon Productions. "It all began with the grass-roots campaign we started, but the controversy has obviously helped in creating awareness."

Some Jewish and Christian leaders have said they fear "The Passion" will revive the notion that Jews collectively were responsible for Christ's death.

Gibson has denied such accusations, and key cast members including Jim Caviezel, who plays Christ, and Maia Morgenstern, a Jewish actress who plays Mary said Gibson approached the film with great respect for Judaic traditions.

Gibson put up the movie's $25 million budget and will reap most of the returns. Hollywood studios passed on the movie, so Gibson put it in theaters through independent distributor Newmarket Films, which will get a cut of Gibson's profits.

"The Passion" provided a box-office jolt for theaters, whose ticket sales were running 7 percent behind last year's. After four straight weekends of declining revenue, the top 12 movies took in $132.1 million, up 53 percent from the same weekend a year ago.

"The Passion" took in more money than the rest of the top 12 combined, with other new movies making barely a ripple.

The Ashley Judd crime thriller "Twisted" debuted at No. 3 with $9.1 million from Friday to Sunday. "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights," a prequel to the 1980s hit, opened in fifth place with $5.9 million. The horror spoof "Broken Lizard's Club Dread" premiered at No. 10 with $3 million.

Playing in 3,043 theaters, "The Passion" averaged a whopping $25,041, compared to $3,367 in 2,703 cinemas for "Twisted."

The success of "The Passion" is more remarkable considering it was shot in two dead languages, Aramaic and Latin, and plays with English subtitles. The movie's violence, including a savage depiction of Christ's scourging and crucifixion, also did not deter movie-goers, who lifted "The Passion" to the second-best R-rated opening ever behind "The Matrix Reloaded" at $91.8 million for its first weekend.

"'The Passion' is the most unlikely blockbuster I've ever seen. I don't have enough adjectives in my repertoire to describe it," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. "Even nonbelievers probably felt the need to see this film because it's undeniably about one of the most important events in history, and everybody is talking about it."

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Monday.

LucyCompanyPhan

03-01-2004, 04:07 PM

that is a truck load of money. It will do good in the box office for a while but I don't expect it to gross Spiderman or Lord of the Ring numbers because of the R rating and this isn't something someone is gonna see 5 times because Orlando Bloom is in it.

Dilly

03-01-2004, 08:48 PM

I am so happy that this film is so successful. The nation has decided to see for themselves and have embraced the movie. Those movie critics (not all) and religious leaders are probably scratching their heads. The mud slinging was viscious and nasty.
Mel Gibson followed his heart and his beautiful soul.

Brad Russ

03-02-2004, 04:10 PM

Originally posted by LucyCompanyPhan
that is a truck load of money. It will do good in the box office for a while but I don't expect it to gross Spiderman or Lord of the Ring numbers because of the R rating and this isn't something someone is gonna see 5 times because Orlando Bloom is in it.

You may be right, but I think there's a strong possibility that this movie will end up with Spiderman type numbers in the end. Many Christians, (me included) have been waiting, and praying for a movie like this for years, and I know that tons of them will go and see this movie over and over again. I personally plan on seeing it atleast a few times in the theatre once all the hoopla, and controversy surrounding the film calms down a bit, and I encourage every Christian reading this to do the same thing. One thing iv'e learned over the last few years is to never underestimate persistent Christian's who've been praying for something for a long time. They'll flock to this film the same way many Star Wars fanatics flock to all the new Star Wars movies. I think they've already proven that.

Another thing to keep in mind is that in many theatres, this movie is sold out for weeks, and there's alot of people who didn't buy advanced tickets who will rush to see this film once tickets are available in their area. So there is still a very large number of interested people I'm sure who have yet to see this film. Mix that with the fact that many Churches are asking their members to take several of their non-Christian aquaintances to see this movie, and it just increases the odds even more of it reaching the Titanic, or Spiderman level.

Regardless though of whether that happens or not, this movie has already done what no other Biblically based film has, and in it's first 5 days has surpassed what it was originally expected to make in it's total theatre gross. So hopefully this will be Hollywood's wake up call, and they'll finally realize that if they put some money and effort into a good Biblically based film, that Christians, (and to the surprise of many), non-Christians alike will come out in droves to see it. It looks like the ABC network has already gotten that message, as they're going to be airing a couple Bible based films in the coming months. Hopefully the other tv networks, and movie studios will follow ABC's lead.

EricIdlefan

03-02-2004, 06:34 PM

I wouldn't take kids under 10 to see it but I would take teenagers 13 and up to see it!!

Dilly

03-02-2004, 08:39 PM

I agree with you mdntrider7. I heard that one of the networks,(maybe ABC) was immediately putting into works the story of Judas but along the lines of him being misunderstood. The network admitted that they want to ride on the coat tails of Mel Gibsons classic film The passion. They realize there is a huge market for Biblical films and they aren't shy to state they want to make money off of it.

Brad Russ

03-02-2004, 10:49 PM

Originally posted by Dilly
I agree with you mdntrider7. I heard that one of the networks,(maybe ABC) was immediately putting into works the story of Judas but along the lines of him being misunderstood. The network admitted that they want to ride on the coat tails of Mel Gibsons classic film The passion. They realize there is a huge market for Biblical films and they aren't shy to state they want to make money off of it.

I saw a commercial for the Judas movie, and I believe it'll be airing in a few days. I think they said the seventh of this month, but I'm not sure. One thing I'm becoming increasingly concerned about is whether or not ABC is going to go by the Gospels, or whether they'll write their own fantasy of the Judas story. Hopefully it will be Biblically accurate, but I can't imagine them being able to make a whole two hour film about Judas without making stuff up. I'm not going to judge beforehand though, I'll just have to wait and see.

~*Hannah_Lee*~

03-02-2004, 11:41 PM

Originally posted by mdntrider7
I saw a commercial for the Judas movie, and I believe it'll be airing in a few days. I think they said the seventh of this month, but I'm not sure. One thing I'm becoming increasingly concerned about is whether or not ABC is going to go by the Gospels, or whether they'll write their own fantasy of the Judas story. Hopefully it will be Biblically accurate, but I can't imagine them being able to make a whole two hour film about Judas without making stuff up. I'm not going to judge beforehand though, I'll just have to wait and see.
That's what I'm afraid of. As a Christian, the biblical accuracy in these films matters a lot to me. I would hope that ABC would try just as hard as Mel Gibson did to portray this story as accurate as possible.

Brad Russ

03-03-2004, 03:27 PM

Originally posted by ~*Hannah_Lee*~
That's what I'm afraid of. As a Christian, the biblical accuracy in these films matters a lot to me. I would hope that ABC would try just as hard as Mel Gibson did to portray this story as accurate as possible.

I know what you mean. But just by Dilly's description of the film alone, that it's premise is of Judas being misunderstood, it's very unlikely that it can be Biblically accurate. I don't recall ever reading anything in the Bible about Judas Iscariot being misunderstood.

I saw another commercial for the film last night, and ABC is promoting it as the story you've never heard. The dialogue in the commercial as well had no resemblance whatsoever to anything I can recall reading in the Four Gospels.

If the film is Biblically innacurate, I just hope non-Christians don't watch, and take it as Biblical fact. Someone sharing a false version of a Biblical story is a big no no.

I think what gets me the most though, is the fact that "The Passion," which, from everything Iv'e heard is very Biblically accurate with a couple small exceptions, got all kinds of controversy. But if this Judas story doesn't coincide with the Bible, I doubt that many people will be complaining about that. It just goes to show the backwardness, and hypocrasy in this world. If you tell the truth about Biblical history, you're an anti-semite, and a blood luster. But if you make stuff up, and turn God's word into a fantasy, then you have your freedom of speech.

Btw, "Judas" actually airs on Monday March 8th, not on the 7th as I originally thought. Hopefully ABC will surprise me with this movie.

~*Hannah_Lee*~

03-03-2004, 11:58 PM

Originally posted by mdntrider7
I know what you mean. But just by Dilly's description of the film alone, that it's premise is of Judas being misunderstood, it's very unlikely that it can be Biblically accurate. I don't recall ever reading anything in the Bible about Judas Iscariot being misunderstood.

I saw another commercial for the film last night, and ABC is promoting it as the story you've never heard. The dialogue in the commercial as well had no resemblance whatsoever to anything I can recall reading in the Four Gospels.

If the film is Biblically innacurate, I just hope non-Christians don't watch, and take it as Biblical fact. Someone sharing a false version of a Biblical story is a big no no.

Yeah, I don't recall anything about Judas being misunderstood either. It would look bad on ABC to produce a made-up version of a biblical person, especially since it centers around familys and a lot of Christian familys proably tune in to ABC.

FrithFan89

03-04-2004, 06:54 PM

i'm supposed to go see it with my church, and i'm really scared cause a lot of people have told me they cried during it.

Brian

03-04-2004, 06:58 PM

I merged your thread with this one, since it is sort of the same subject.

I have heard that this movie is very violent. I don't think there is anything to be scared of other than that. I doubt it's scary.

Dilly

03-04-2004, 09:04 PM

Don't be afraid.

It's sad to see the horrible torture Our Lord went through for us but I think it's important to see so you know the incredible sacrifice. I feel that people may sin less if they see this movie because it really stays with you. You will never look at a crucifix the same again.

Brad Russ

03-08-2004, 01:09 AM

'The Passion' Soars Beyond $200 Million
Sunday March 7 2:34 PM ET

Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" took in $51.4 million in its second weekend to remain the top movie, racing past the $200 million mark in just 12 days.

Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson's action comedy "Starsky & Hutch" debuted in second place with $29.05 million, while Viggo Mortensen's horse-racing adventure "Hidalgo" opened at No. 3 with $19.6 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

"The Passion," Gibson's bloody re-enactment of Christ's crucifixion, has grossed $212 million so far in the United States and Canada. The movie is expected to top $300 million, said Bob Berney, president of Newmarket Films. The independent distributor was hired by Gibson to release "The Passion" after Hollywood studios passed on it.

The film, which stars Jim Caviezel as Christ, held up strongly, with receipts down just 39 percent from its huge opening weekend of $83.8 million. Movies debuting to such high numbers often drop 50 percent or more in their second weekends.

"The Passion" propelled Hollywood to a second straight weekend of rising revenues after a prolonged slump. The top 12 movies grossed $131.5 million, up 39 percent from the same weekend last year.

Before "The Passion" opened, box-office revenues had been running 7 percent behind last year's. Two big weekends for "The Passion" have pulled the industry virtually even with last year's receipts, according to box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

The Academy Awards gave a solid bounce to best-picture winner "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" which climbed back into the top 10 with $3.2 million, raising its total to $368.3 million.

"The Passion" rode a storm of debate over its grisly violence and accusations of anti-Semitism to become the first religious blockbuster since the 1950s epics "The Ten Commandments" and "Ben-Hur."

Its success indicates Christian crowds rarely targeted by filmmakers will flock to theaters when a movie suits them.

"I think it does show there's an ignored market, but the way I look at it, it's film by film. To make this work, you have to have a brilliant film. The audience is very discerning," Berney said.

In the next week, "The Passion" will climb past the $228 million total take for "Signs," the top-grossing movie Gibson has been connected with. Even adjusting Gibson's "Lethal Weapon" grosses for inflation, "The Passion" will be his biggest hit.

"Here's one of the most popular movie stars in the world. Who would have thought he would out-gross all his big summer blockbusters with a movie about the crucifixion?" said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Exhibitor Relations.

After studios declined to handle "The Passion," Gibson orchestrated a marketing scheme that rallied Christian leaders and church groups, which spread the word and snapped up blocks of tickets.

Fueling the frenzy was criticism from some Jewish and Christian leaders, who said "The Passion" could revive the notion that Jews collectively were responsible for Christ's death.

"Starsky & Hutch," an update of the 1970s TV show, stars Stiller and Wilson as buddy cops hunting a cocaine dealer. "Hidalgo" stars Mortensen as an Old West cowboy who becomes the first Westerner invited to compete in a horse race across the Arabian desert.

"Starsky & Hutch" distributor Warner Bros. and "Hidalgo" studio Disney were happy to finish a distant second and third to "The Passion."

"I've never seen anything quite like 'The Passion,'" said Disney head of distribution Chuck Viane. "To have two other movies come in and open as strongly as they did in the face of a steamroller, you can't complain."

Here are estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Monday.

EricIdlefan

03-08-2004, 06:09 PM

Not to count the dough but it would be nice if the film passed the six-year reign of the #1 box-office film of all-time!! Titanic!!

Brad Russ

03-08-2004, 07:32 PM

Originally posted by EricIdlefan
Not to count the dough but it would be nice if the film passed the six-year reign of the #1 box-office film of all-time!! Titanic!!

Coincidentally, the last movie I saw in a theatre was Titanic, in March of 1998. I remember it like it was yesterday. All the back seats were taken, so I had to take a front row seat. My neck was stiff for three weeks straight after sitting through all 3 hours and 15 minutes of that movie. Had Titanic not been such a great film, it would have been a total waste of time. I'm going to go see The Passion tomorrow, so hopefully there will be some middle seats open, and my experience this time will be a bit different.

I agree though, it would be great if The Passion was able to surpass Titanic as the highest grossing film of all time. Can you imagine a movie about Jesus Christ being the highest grossing film of all time? What a message that would send!!! I believe Titanic was in theatres for close to a year, and with The Passion making over 1/3rd of what Titanic made in only 12 days, if they keep it in theatres long enough, it'll have a great chance of surpassing it! It's already on pace to being the highest grossing R rated film of all time, which is currently held by The Matrix Reloaded, which made a little over $285 million dollars.

Here's an interesting tidbit I heard about The Passion a few weeks ago. Jim Caviezel, (who plays Jesus), his initials are J.C., just like Jesus Christ's. Not only that, but he was 33 years old during the making of this film, which is the same age Christ was when he was crucified. Just another amazing, and intrigingly odd thing about this movie.

EricIdlefan

03-09-2004, 02:07 AM

Jim Caviezel is also a devout catholic and had his earlier co-stars Ashley Judd and Jennifer Lopez cover themselves up because he doesn't belive in sex before marriage and wants to set a great example for kids and refuses not only to do nudity but graphic love scenes!!

*Marilyn Monroe*

03-09-2004, 07:16 PM

I have never cried so hard at a movie. Ever. I was curled up in my seat and sobbing...mostly because I was letting myself think. If I would have gone into it w/ no religious background, I don't think it would have been so bad. But I'm Lutheran, and believe in God very much. Extremely sad...and really long. Probably they didn't need to prolong the beating for so long.

RWCTV

03-21-2004, 01:43 PM

Originally posted by password
I just want to give my opinion on this subject, these kind of movies are completely absurd, there is absolutely no evidence Jesus was hurt 2004 years ago.

As far as I know no one can hurt God.

No evidence that Jesus was hurt? Is this a joke, or just plain stupidity?

He was beaten, chastized, and then crucified. Nevermind the Gospels and the prophecies that were declared hundreds of years before the ancient prophecies were fulfilled, but you questioned the act 2004 years ago. Are you then saying that the earth is only 2004 years old?

If Jesus wasn't the son of God, then how come the calendars RESET after the resurrection? How come this is 2004? Why are Good Friday and Easter Sunday Holidays? Do you actually think that people get paid time and a half or the day off because of a Rabbit?

Then you said that nobody can hurt God. Only once they could. God does not allow sin into heaven, so he chose the virgin Mary (since she came from the heir of King David) and avoided the inheritance of the sinful seed of Adam, to provide a way out for us if we accept him. You see, there had to be a sinless sacrifice, and Jesus never sinned. He came on this earth so that, if we accept him, our sins are washed and "brought back through time" and forgiven through his blood. Since he was sinless and if we accept him, we can inherit heaven. Death was defeated and so was Satan. If you do not accept him, then you choose to die in your own sins. God still does not allow sin into heaven, so you would get the punishment that comes from sin.

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.