brainstorming: The Passion of Christ

February 03, 2004

The Passion of Christ - Opens Feb. 25

I've been following the story of The Passion of Christ movie, financed and directed by Mel Gibson, for what seems like forever. It will finally open in theatres Feb. 25.

World Net Daily is reporting the Mel Gibson agreed to make a change to emphasize that the film is not intended to be anti-semitic, (Link via Lilac Rose):

Mr. Gibson listened intently, hung his head, and was deeply moved. "What can I do," he asked? I responded, "When the last scene ends go to black, scroll these words across the screen: "During the Roman occupation, 250,000 Jews were crucified by the Romans, but only One rose from the dead."

"By doing this," I said, "instead of feeding Jew-hatred, you will be fighting it. You will be communicating the suffering of all Jews under Roman occupation. By simply inserting this statement, those who desire to use the film to incite hatred toward Jews will be deterred.

"Those who might use the movie to incite Jew-hatred would know that they would be doing just the opposite – challenging the evil myths (that Jews are cursed for crucifying Christ and are Christ-killers) taught throughout history, and still today. In addition, 'The Passion of the Christ' would be the first Jesus film produced to fight anti-Semitism by telling the true story of Jewish suffering during the time of Christ."

Mel Gibson became very excited, and said, "Perfect! I will do it. Yes, I will do it. I needed something for that spot anyway. This is it. I will do it. Thank you."

Do you remember when Drudge saw it?

DRUDGE: Well Mel Gibson is here, he's in town. He's two blocks away. He sends his regards. He'll be making the rounds on this one. This may be the last movie Mel Gibson makes, Pat Buchanan. This is the ultimate film. It's magical. Best picture I have seen in quite some time, and even people like Jack Valenti were in the audience in tears at this screening. There was about 30 of us. It depicts a clash between Jesus and those who crucified him, and speaking as a Jew, I thought it was a magical film that showed the perils of life on earth.
BUCHANAN: Right. "The New Republic" -- today I read a long report in "The New Republic" said it is an anti-Semitic film, just about flat-out. What's your take?

DRUDGE: They haven't seen the darn film and those of us, every single person in there, and I'm not talking about tears, I'm talking total tears. It is something Mel Gibson stood back at the end and took questions for about an hour, and he is -- he told me he's tired of Hollywood. That this is it. He's going to do it. He's going to do it his way, and this film, I tell you, is magic. It's a miracle. It's a miracle...

Hardly faint praise.

Salon interviewed a Rev. Stanger, a mainline Episcopalian pastor in San Francisco, about his preview of the film. From this interview, (admittedly a limited exposure), it's my opinion that Rev. Stanger gives the impression that he belongs to that group of clergy who does not actually believe in the bible, except as a postitive ideological goal. Therefore instead of reading the actual Salon interview, I strongly recommend reading Evangelical Outpost's version of the interview with comments.

Joe also adds comments to Salon's follow up that highlights Hugh Hewitt's review of the film.

If that doesn't sate your appetite check out Michael Medved's review and Christianity Today's weblog has multiple links.

On one hand, I know that this will not be an easy film to watch. (I'm already flashing back to breaking down in tears at Godspell when I couldn't have been older than middle school.) Yet, I'm anxious to see it nonetheless. This is one film that I'll be paying to see in a theatre.

What irony that all the negative controversy will only increase attendance.

Posted by Sandy on February 03, 2004 at 06:45 AM in Faith Dance | Permalink

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February 03, 2004

The Passion of Christ - Opens Feb. 25

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