Zeffirelli Brands Mel Gibson's Passion Anti-Semitic; Calls Director “Bloodthirsty”

Yahoo ^ | Thu Feb 26,12:12 PM ET | Godfrey Deeny

[mgist]

Zeffirelli Brands Mel Gibson's Passion Anti-Semitic; Calls Director “Bloodthirsty”

Thu Feb 26,12:12 PM ET

Godfrey Deeny

Fashion Wire Daily February 26, 2004 - New York - Franco Zeffirelli, the last person before Mel Gibson (news) to direct a major feature film on the life of Christ and someone who has himself directed the actor as Hamlet, has lambasted Gibson's controversial film The Passion as anti-Semitic.

"They tell me that in America, despite the ban on minors, that mothers absolutely want their children to see the film, in order to understand the suffering Jesus underwent to save us,” Zeffirelli wrote in Thursday’s edition of Corriere della Sera, Milan’s leading daily newspaper, continuing, “I am of a completely different opinion: what conclusion can one reach (from the film), in particular young people, other than that his blood was shed because of the Jews?"

Zeffirelli, who directed Gibson in his 1991 version of Hamlet, adds that "once I knew that Gibson had decided to make a film on the Passion of Christ I began to get worried. I knew well that the family culture in which he was raised, dominated by a father who considers the Vatican (news - web sites) councils the tomb of Christianity, and suspected already that rather than the divine message of Christ, what pushed Mel into this difficult project was (an obsession) with strips of flesh, his own torments and blood."

The veteran Italian director also recounts his own curious experiences of working with Gibson, recalling one scene in Hamlet where Gibson intervened on the set when British actor Ian Holm (news), playing Polonius, acted out his character's death with his eyes closed.

Zeffirelli recalls Gibson saying: "A wounded animal about to die does not stay with a fixed look, but rolls its eyes in the final spasms, first together, then in the opposite direction, like a cross eyed person. It's almost funny."

"And how would you know?" responded Holm, according to Zeffirelli.

"I've seen plenty die,” replied Gibson, Zeffirelli claims. “When I can, to relax, I go to my farm and kill a lot of calves on the days when they are slaughtered."

The Italian director further stresses that, unlike Gibson's life of Christ, his own 1977 film "Jesus of Nazareth" was written by the famed English author Anthony Burgess with Suso Cecchi D'Amico taking into account the principles laid down by the Second Vatican Council, "To render justice to Jews and unburden them of the accusation of Diocide.” Zeffirelli finished his article with a question: “And now where have we gone back to?"

[what's up]

I seem to recall some bad Jews in Zeferelli's "Jesus of Nazareth."

Herod the Great was a real creep as was Herod Agrippa. Also, the Sandhedrin not too great.

Anyone recall the same?

[petitfour]

Truth?

Of course Jews killed Jesus. But so did we all. And that is pretty clear in this movie.

[laconic]

The public verdict on this film can be seen in the box office receipts: $26.6 million for ONE DAY. The next highest film, something called "50 First Dates" barely took in $1 million. The Top Ten films yesterday took in $29.9 million; The Passion accounted for 90 percent of it! Source: www.boxofficemojo.com.

[muawiyah]

Zeferelli's film was pure anti-semitism. Who can ever forget the enraged mobs streaming from movie theatres, burning cars, shooting dogs, chasing down Jews.....

It was horrid.

[mgist]

All I know is that these reports are a case study of character assasinations by the left. One of the highest grossing films made, and this is what they have to say? Other than a few similar articles, the media has been strangely silent. Even the entertainment media. I've been watching and reading all day long. It's beyond bizarre.

[bethelgrad]

Gee, I've seen Jesus of Nazareth about 3 times. I thought the Jews petitioned Pilate to kill Jesus in that one too (Like the gospels and Passion). I could be wrong though.

[Sloth]

"I've seen plenty die,” replied Gibson, Zeffirelli claims. “When I can, to relax, I go to my farm and kill a lot of calves on the days when they are slaughtered."

An anti-Gibsonite accuses Gibsons of bovicide.

[anniegetyourgun]

The Italian director further stresses that, unlike Gibson's life of Christ, his own 1977 film "Jesus of Nazareth" was written by the famed English author Anthony Burgess with Suso Cecchi D'Amico taking into account the principles laid down by the Second Vatican Council, "To render justice to Jews and unburden them of the accusation of Diocide.” Zeffirelli finished his article with a question: “And now where have we gone back to?"

It is the height of arrogance for this man to assume the death of Jesus was solely about the Jews. And, it is ignorant to assume that anyone could take the life of Christ.

[Jaded]

"They tell me that in America,

This is where the problem begins.... Obviously he hasn't seen the movie.

[alisasny]

Isnt this the movie with the BLUE EYED Jesus?

[tet68]

An anti-Gibsonite accuses Gibsons of bovicide.


It can't be true, Hillery! still lives!

[CaptainK]

Does Zeffirelli like his movies reviewed by individuals who have not viewed them?

[jscd3]

his own 1977 film "Jesus of Nazareth" was written by the famed English author Anthony Burgess

Who is chiefly known as the author of the book "Clockwork Orange" described best as... "Being the adventures of a young man whose principal interests are rape, ultra-violence and Beethoven"

Violence? What violence? Do these people even think before they talk?

[freekitty]

Has this guy seen the movie?

[arichtaxpayer]

Hey I was wondering the same thing. Criticize without even seeing it. Drives me nuts!

[keithtoo]

Zeferelli is himself Jewish, so it is not as if he is dissinteresteed. He just happens to be wrong.

[keithtoo]

Zeferelli is himself Jewish, so it is not as if he is dissinterested. He just happens to be wrong.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

***Isnt this the movie with the BLUE EYED Jesus?***

Almost as funny as a blue eyed Geronomo played by Chuck Conners!

[proud American in Canada]

"Zeffirelli recalls Gibson saying: "A wounded animal about to die does not stay with a fixed look, but rolls its eyes in the final spasms, first together, then in the opposite direction, like a cross eyed person. It's almost funny."

Wow... they are going after Mel Gibson with a fury.

Something really amazing and important and world-changing is happening here.....

God bless Mel Gibson for his commitment and devotion! I can't wait to see the movie.