Glad you asked this. I’ve wanted to know myself, on both scores - quality of film, and appropriateness for kids. Hope there are some informed responses.
I think it would be fine for children. The only graphic part is when Christ is shown on the cross. It’s a good depiction of the Roman soldier’s experience.
I went to see it yesterday. It was a very good movie. There are some scenes regarding the crucifixion that would be too gory for a young child, but anyone 13 and older could handle it. It gave an interesting perspective of the post-crucifixion events by inserting a Roman warrior who followed the disciples as they saw Jesus twice after he had arisen. Would highly recommend the movie. I’m surprised that Hollywood and Sony pictures would actually do such a good Christian movie.
My wife and I took two of our sons, 16 and 15 to see it. Our 11 year old daughter didn’t want to see it because of her impressions from the trailer of potential violent scenes, so we didn’t take her. After viewing the film I think she could have handled them. since they weren’t overly graphic and were confined to the very beginning of the movie. The movie itself was well done, Fiennes performs quite excellently in the lead role, and the cinematography and costuming is all very good. We really enjoyed the film. It was an interesting perspective to use a fictional character looking in from the outside on biblical events (portrayed very closely to the actual biblical accounts, save the presence of Fiennes character) and the effect on that character of his interaction with Jesus and the disciples.
My two cents. Saw it yesterday. Better than I expected, but not great.
There is a graphic battle scene in the beginning, the cross scene and gross views of decomposing corpses (they dig up graves trying to find Jesus whom they believe was buried by members of the Sanhedrin).
I turned my head away several times because I don’t like graphic violence. I would say a child 10 and older would be okay with that level of violence, but not younger than that.
It’s quite slow moving after the first 10-15 minutes and the story line would be hard to follow (there were parts I couldn’t understand at all because of the British accents) unless you are very familiar with the Bible accounts, so I think a child would be very bored. I found myself about to nod off several times because the pace was slow.
My recommendation - go and see it yourself and if you think it’s appropriate, watch it with your kids later at home where you would be able to pause it and explain what was happening.
Or just skip seeing it in the theater and watch it at home all together.
Pretty brutal scenes for smaller kids.
Battle scene at the beginning
Crucifixion scene including the breaking of legs of the crucified
Bloated, rotting bodies in many scenes
A very good movie, historical accuracy in terms of equipment and clothing, Roman government and social structure, and details of execution are all excellent.
Older kids (12+)? I don’t think it would be a problem.
Younger kids (less than 8)? Would be a bit much I think.
8 to 12? Depends on the kid.
A well written movie but probably not for young children.
I wouldn’t....
The crucifixion scene is perhaps the most historically accurate portrayal of that horrific event IMO.
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review on pluggedin.com