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Passionless dialogue [Steer clear of ABC's embarrassing, cliche-surfeited 'Judas']
WORLD ^
| 3/6/04
| Andrew Coffin
Posted on 03/03/2004 10:33:51 AM PST by Caleb1411
On March 8, within two weeks of the release of The Passion of the Christ, ABC will air Judas, a made-for-TV movie about the disciple who betrayed Jesus. The latter film will not be served by its proximity to Mel Gibson's work. The effect is tempering: Those who hope the success of The Passion will produce more Hollywood movies examining the life of Christ should have second thoughts after watching the embarrassing Judas. Or, better yet, take the advice of WORLD and don't watch it.
If nothing else, Judas reveals Mel Gibson to be an artistic genius. The two films are a study in contrasts, but it's not worth dwelling on the comparison. Judas employs nearly every cliché that has become synonymous with bad biblical epics (and that Mr. Gibson sought to avoid), from bad hair to bad sets to really, really bad dialogue.
The movie purports to tell the back story of Judas, identified by ABC as "perhaps the most complex character in the Gospels." To do this, the script makes Judas central to almost every event in Christ's adult life. Judas wants an earthly king to overthrow the Romans, becoming a foil for Jesus, who has a more spiritual mission in mind.
Judas begins by stating that "the following film is an interpretative dramatization of Judas's relationship with Jesus." What exactly the film is interpreting is not clear, since it is most certainly not working from the Bible or accepted historic documents, except in rough outline.
Most of the dialogue hovers between the painfully funny and just plain painful. Judas first meets the Messiah after witnessing Jesus clearing the Temple of merchants. Judas, to Jesus, over a cup of wine: "You know, I have to tell you, I was very impressed with what you did at the Temple today." Jesus replies, somewhat chagrined and regretful, "Well, don't be. You know, I was trying to make a point and lost my temper. You can't change a man's heart by yelling at him, by humiliating him, by taking away his livelihood."
Later, Jesus asks Judas to handle His money, saying, "I'm no good with money. Whatever I have, I tend to lose." In another scene, Herod refers to John the Baptist as "a pain in the ass." It's enough to make one long for Aramaic.
The one interesting aspect of the production is that it works overtime to avoid the perceived anti-Semitism of a literal reading of the Gospels, creating a bizarre conspiracy scenario in which Pontius Pilate (Tim Matheson of Animal House fame) orchestrates the events leading up to the crucifixion in order to pin the blame for Christ's death on the Jews.
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Extended News
KEYWORDS: abc; judas; media; thepassion
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To: Dogbert41
As a Freeper, I enjoy the slings and arrows of sarcasm as well as anybody. And once people have seen the film, I'll be happy to take my lumps. The film presents Jesus as fully divine - truly the Son of God - as well as lovingly human. We attempt to understand Judas in human terms - without ever excusing him for committing the greatest crime imaginable.
61
posted on
03/03/2004 3:24:49 PM PST
by
karnage
To: Caleb1411
We made this film before any of us were aware that Mel Gibson was contemplating his PASSION in the original languages. One of the things I like about Tom Fontana's script is that it had dialogue which was conversational and accessible, without being too anachronistic. Yes, it's risky to take this approach. But my big problem with most Bible movies is that they come off as lifeless - Christmas pageants or Hallmark cards. I was hoping to infuse this version with some emotional immediacy, to try and reach a new audience.
62
posted on
03/03/2004 3:28:42 PM PST
by
karnage
To: karnage
You better take it up with the writer of the article posted here. We on FR didn't pre-judge you. But we can read.
63
posted on
03/03/2004 3:30:35 PM PST
by
Liz
To: karnage
Does Jesus say, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father, but by me."? If not your movie is just more New Age, he is one of many ways; tripe. I cannot imagine ABC showing Christians as anything but bloodthirsty fools.
Pray for W and The Truth
64
posted on
03/03/2004 3:36:52 PM PST
by
bray
(Unemployment is the lowest in 15 years!)
To: cyncooper
My name is Charles Robert Carner. One of the things I liked about Tom Fontana's script is that it presented the dialogue in contemporary, accessible language, without being too anachronistic. I've always found most Bible films rather stilted. The idea was to try and give the story a sense of immediacy. I hope you will not be offended by the film when you see it.
65
posted on
03/03/2004 3:43:36 PM PST
by
karnage
To: Caleb1411
Jesus Christ Superstar was very sympathetic to Judas; his character was precisely recycled as Che Guevera in Evita.
66
posted on
03/03/2004 3:44:17 PM PST
by
dangus
To: karnage
I'm a traditional Catholic. I think a sympathetic portrayal of Judas is a brilliant idea; after all he was one of Jesus' closest friends... his corruption and downfall must be classic fodder for a tragedy. I sincerely hope you're not blindsided by the criticism here. We need Christians in Hollywood.
I have to ask, though: That dialog from the Temple... how could you have Jesus say that? It asserts that Jesus believed he was wrong to drive away the money-changers as he did. In fact, if it were true, it would be Jesus committing a venial sin!
67
posted on
03/03/2004 3:53:49 PM PST
by
dangus
To: dangus
With a movie like this, we tried to anticipate questions and objections wherever possible - and we all missed this one - Father Frank, Tom and myself. If I had it to do over again, I would have changed that line of dialogue so that instead of saying, "I lost my temper," Jesus would have said something about his anger - however justifiable and righteous - not being the main thrust of his mission. Or something like that.
68
posted on
03/03/2004 4:03:37 PM PST
by
karnage
To: dangus
With a movie like this, we tried to anticipate questions and objections wherever possible - and we all missed this one - Father Frank, Tom and myself. If I had it to do over again, I would have changed that line of dialogue so that instead of saying, "I lost my temper," Jesus would have said something about his anger - however justifiable and righteous - not being the main thrust of his mission. Or something like that.
69
posted on
03/03/2004 4:03:45 PM PST
by
karnage
To: Liz
So then any comments you make in support of it are a clear conflict of interest and must be dismissed as blatant self-interest. And where does that leave the comments of folks criticizing the movie who haven't even seen it?
To: karnage
I directed JUDAS. We shot the film in Morocco in the summer of 2001, and have been trying to get ABC to air it ever since. The controversy surrounding THE PASSION finally convinced the network to schedule JUDAS. The Executive Producer was Fr. Frank Desiderio, C.S.P. The script was written by multiple Emmy-winner Tom Fontana. Coincidentally, several technical personnel worked both on JUDAS and later on THE PASSION. We shot on many of the sets and locations used by Ridley Scott in GLADIATOR. I am a Catholic, and I take my faith seriously. I tried to humble myself before the Spirit and make a film that offers a new perspective on Judas while remaining faithful to the Gospels and the message and mission of Jesus. I'll tell you what -- I wasn't going to watch this movie, but I will make a point of watching this, simply because you are a fellow freeper.
To: NYCVirago
Hope you like it.
72
posted on
03/04/2004 11:53:57 PM PST
by
karnage
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