FR MOVIE REVUE: THE PASSION OF CHRIST (post your comments here)

2/24/04 | FR MOVIE REVIEWERS

[Liz]

All the world is waiting for the powerful message in Mel Gibson's ground-breaking film, The Passion of Christ.

Post here your own personal reactions after seeing the film set to open tomorrow, Ash Wednesday. Passion has previewed in some areas.

Also post reviews and pertinent comments from your state and area's newspapers and publications.

[nevergore]

"Perhaps you would be good enough to post your excellent review on this thread."

Ask and ye' shall receive....

I saw the movie last night,,, The movie wasn't violent in the "normal" Hollywierd sense...no gratiutous violence, just unrelenting barbarity agains one man.....

The movie was indeed powerful and I was surprised how much of Satan was woven into the film. Every key scene where Jesus is under severe stress, Satan appears either in the foreground or background.....

The movie truly reflected the Stations of the Cross... It helped visulize the first communion and capturedthe essence of the time.

The whipping scene was gruesome but when they brought out the scourgers, this scene was very intense and I would not not allow my kid's until they were at least ten years old.

NeverGore :^)

[Ichneumon]

There are a ton of reviews of the film at the RottenTomatoes.com page for it.

(RottenTomatoes is *the* internet resource for film reviews.)

[EternalHope]

One caution however, Mr. Gibson's "hatred" of all things Protestant English makes him exagerate. One example, the British burning the congregation in a church in the film "Patriot". Never happened!

That scene caused a minor furor. The initial reaction from what turned out to be uninformed commentators was that it never happened.

However, long after it was out of the public eye, published reports came out documenting that it did. These reports provided the details, all the way down to a specific church burned with congregation inside.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

I saw the movie last night,,, The movie wasn't violent in the "normal" Hollywierd sense...no gratiutous violence, just unrelenting barbarity agains one man.....

Gibson said last night that he tried to give the audience "escape hatches," like flashbacks, to deal with the violence. Did you notice that?

[Liz]

Thanks for the link.

Did not expect this from the Dallas Morning News.


"Controversy aside, it is dramatically intense, skillfully constructed and often harrowing, in ways that should have an impact on people of any or no particular faith." -- Chris Vognar, DMN

[tdunbar]

I saw The Passion of the Christ last night. Yes, it is very violent but the violence doesn't "stick" with you..how that's done is the most interesting thing about the movie, cinematically. A very beautiful movie with subtle allusions to various views of the atonement. I'll definitely see it again. My favorite scene was when Christ was being lifted on the cross: the music swells triumphally, Mary and others stand up and one senses the victory over sin and death. While I'm on themes perhaps more eastern orthodox/methodist than roman catholic/reformed, tho it went by quickly, it also seems that the Holy Spirit was said to "come from the Father."

[Boss_Jim_Gettys]

Thanks for the post. I have a ticket for a 5 pm showing today. My wife and I have talked about the movie with our sons (12 and 10). They both are interested in seeing it. I am pretty sure the 12 year old would do fine, but I'm not so sure about the 10 year old. I know I'll have a better idea after I see it, but I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to reply with your family's experience.

[King Black Robe]

The point of the movie is that perfect sinless Jesus, God's Son, submitted himself (thousands of angels could have rescued Him if He asked) to mindless torture and execution to tell you and me how very much God loves each one of us! He paid the price for our sin for all time. The penalty for sin is eternal death. Jesus died for me.........I don't have to die.......He saved me because I accepted His gift of eternal life.

Wow! Worth repeating.

[MineralMan]

"Since most people on this thread are too kind, I will say it. I wish you weren't here. Basically, you're the turd in the punch bowl, uninvited on this thread. Who cares what a so-called "Godless Athiest" thinks about the The Passion of Christ. I don't and I doubt many others do either."

Sorry for the delay in responding to your post. I left my office for the day, shortly after posting.

You're very clear in believing that no non-Christian should have any opinion about this film. That's very short-sighted, in my opinion. I'm not discouraging anyone else from seeing it...that's everyone's personal choice. I merely said that I would not see it, despite my interest in the Jesus story.

I gave my reasons for that decision, but did not comment on Christianity at all. Since I am an atheist, of course I refer to the story of Jesus as a myth. Sorry, but that's my belief. The mythology of societies is one of my primary interests. I'm as interested in the myths of the Roman gods as I am in the myths of Jesus. Myth is my word, since I simply don't believe in the supernatural side of the story. The real side of the story is more than adequate for me to find it interesting, and I don't doubt that a man named Jesus or Joshua was executed for being a religious and political troublemaker. The story has great power, obviously, since it has survived over 2000 years and has accumulated a huge mass of followers.

I'm happy for anyone who has some sort of religious belief, and wish them the best.

I began by commenting on this film and gave the reasons why I wouldn't see it. You respond by telling me to go away. I will not go away. In this nation, and here on Free Republic, I have the right to my viewpoint, as long as I express it in a way that does not break the rules of the forum and of society.

I'm being polite; I'm denigrating nobody. I'm in no way suggesting that people skip the movie. I'm sorry you don't appear able to accept the fact that not everyone agrees with you on every topic.

[bigeasy_70118]

If you ever wanted to see the ignorance of the Hollywood Media, it's all on display with those reviews. Only a true secularist could call the movie unaccressible. The backstory is the gospels and I'd highly recommend anyone seeing the movie giving John a once over before attending.

The guy who said the movie was the most anti-semtic thing since Nazi Germany has an agenda and is not interested in the truth.

[bigeasy_70118]

I wish you would see the movie. Your comments would provide a great perspective to a film that is limited in its scope.

[Salvation]

Must agree. But I don't think this thread needs to go that direction.

Prayers that it will stay a review thread.

[T.Smith]

"That is one reason why it is so important he publicly repudiate his father Hutton's teaching and comments about Holocaust Denial and Antisemitism."

Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee," Exodus 20:12

I think for Mel to publicly repudiate his father would not be to honor him. Devout as Mel is, I doubt he wants to violate the commandment even if he disagrees strongly with what his father says. That's just my scarcely educated $.02, though.

[eyespysomething]

No one took his life, he gave his life.

[MineralMan]

"I wish you would see the movie. Your comments would provide a great perspective to a film that is limited in its scope.
"

I'm not currently planning to view the film, but it's possible that I may change my mind, or at least view it when it appears on DVD. My wife is leaning toward seeing it, so that may be another factor.

If I do see it, I'll post my thoughts on the film.

[af_vet_1981]

Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee," Exodus 20:12 I think for Mel to publicly repudiate his father would not be to honor him. Devout as Mel is, I doubt he wants to violate the commandment even if he disagrees strongly with what his father says. That's just my scarcely educated $.02, though.

If that is your position (it is not mine; you honor your parents by obeying them as they obey G-d; if they sin you correct them; otherwise you do not love them and you enable and perpetuate shame and dishonor on them and the entire family)


Given your assertion that if a father publicly teaches antisemitism the son should remain silent to obey the commandment
1. Does you mean that if a father publicly teaches abortion the son should remain silent to obey the commandment ?
2. Does you mean that if a father publicly teaches adultery the daughter should remain silent to obey the commandment ?
3. Does you mean that if a father publicly teaches treason the son should remain silent to obey the commandment ?
4. Does you mean that if a father publicly teaches perjury the daughter should remain silent to obey the commandment ?

[nevergore]

Yes, the flashback scenes were skillfully interwoven with the barbarity and cruelty Jesus was suffering. Whenever the brutality became numbing, Jesus would find a single person in the crowd, either a disciple or Mary and a flashback of a better time would occur. The same occurred for Mary and Peter as they viewed either the crucification or his "trial".

Particularly poignant was the scene when Jesus fell carrying the cross as Mary watched from the crowd. She flashed back to when Jesus was a toddler and fell down on the ground and as any good mother she ran to help, nurture and hold Jesus. The same as when he fell carrying the cross.....

NeverGore

[Blake#1]

As a retired history (USA) teacher I would like more information on the "Church Burning". Could you possibly point me in the direction of getting to some facts on the subject? Thanking you in advance...

Blake#1 (only because there is already a Blake)

[T.Smith]

As I stated, it was suggested as a posibility and just "my scarcely educated $.02". I don't care to debate the post with you.

Have a nice day.

[MizRiz9]

That is NOT what King said at all! He was talking about people who hate Christians -- believe it or not there are such people