[JusPasenThru]

I'm quite certain these faint-hearted citizens could watch "Saving Private Ryan" without so much as a flinch.

[atomicpossum]

But that view was not shared by the majority who filed out at the end dazed and struggling for words, but clearly moved.

So WHY are the horrified the headline?!?

[Terry Mross]

Gobsmacked? Wow! I hate it whenever I get gobsmacked!

[Eala]

The best review of The Passion I've read yet (despite the title): Passionate about The Passion [excellent homily on The Passion of The Christ]

[what's up]

The contrast between the sustained brutality and then the fabulous, quiet and powerful resurrection resurrection scene at the very end is profound.

It impacts one with a lot of power and is a fabulous note to end the film on.

I'm sure it is causing millions to deeply ponder spiritual issues and is a great service Gibson does for God IMO.

[johniegrad]

A non-churchgoer - she had been in a church last month for the first time since her christening because she was preparing to get married

Sigh.

[goodnesswins]

"One woman had to be comforted with cups of tea after she had been escorted out on the brink of tears.

OH, my...she was "on the BRINK of tears." I was balling for the first 20 minutes of Saving Private Ryan, but I did NOT leave. Sheesh. (Have yet to see The Passion.)

[rogueleader]

What we have here is the prissiness of Europeans confronted by an aspect of reality right before their eyes that they have never even thought about before in their pampered lives. Of course they're going to whine and cry like babies. They are babies.

How many Americans left the theater? What? Oh, that's right. There were about four or five of them. America has cowards, but not hordes of them.

[Cicero]

I wonder why the Telegraph is taking this position? And the BBC, by contrast, published a very fair review.

[Temple Owl]

Mrs Crown and her husband, Frank, 88, were among those who received free tickets to the screening from a group of local churches led by St Luke's in Maidstone, which spent £20,000 buying all the seats for the first three days.

Those poor people could have had a heart attack. Of course they could have had a heart attack watching Mary Poppins.

[Kirkwood]

I wonder what some of these people were thinking they would see? I'm not saying I blame them for being disturbed by the film, but after all the talk of the nature of the film, you would think people would realize it was going to be bloody, grisly, realistic, and show the barbarity of Christ's torturers and executioners.

[Solson]

The Passion was the most individual experience movie I've ever seen. Each person leaving will have a different response, different emotions and different follow through. I left not wanting to discuss the movie with anyone...not even my wife. IT is a very personal movie. It took me a full 24-36 hours to digest the movie and be willing to discuss.

[Libloather]

It is very brutal, very moving.

Anything like the Brits may have 'imposed' on any other civilization?

[GeronL]

Those farthest from Jesus in their hearts will be most likely to walk out and shout curses for the media.

[GeronL]

8 out of 180 walk out and they get a story about them... bo story about the 172 others?

[McGavin999]

It's time people were confronted with the truth. They have always known that Christ died on the cross for their sins, but they never wanted to know exactly what that meant.

We needed that reminder. Scourged, crown of thorns, crusifixion, what did they think that meant?

[potlatch]

I went to see it 3 days ago. You do come out feeling 'quiet'. When someone asks you 'how you liked it' you pause, then say "it was very moving". There is no other way to describe it.

I was not shocked at anything I saw because we have been hearing everything about it for weeks. Today it opens in London.

[sittnick]

"brutally enhanced by the digital soundtrack and graphic visual images of a Hollywood production. "

It wasn't a Hollywood production.

Icon is not a Hollywood studio. Gibson has been blackballed by Hollywood. Nearly all the actors and actresses are from Italy, with some notable roles coming from Romania and Bulgaria. No Hollywood money, not even a Hollywood distributor. The whole thing was filmed in Matera, Italy and Rome.

[vpintheak]

I am sure a lot more people felt positive about this movie than what is reported here. Funny how mostly bad comments make it in, isn't it?

[RoseofTexas]

GOOOOOOOOD, more free pubicity for the Passion!! The curiosity crowds will soon be making it's path to the theater doors! Go Mel Go!