The Passion of the Christ. The most thing that people think of when they hear this term is controversy. This film was probably one of the most controversial movies ever made. Mel Gibson had a idea stirring in his heart for quite some time and he describes that while he was filming "We Were Soldiers", he had this idea of doing the crucifixion of Jesus. Now Mel grew up catholic but his faith was front and centre in this venture and we can see it. I remember fondly when this movie came out, the long interviews, the religious leaders debating and complaining, the parents and critics judging and criticizing Mel for his sadism. It's funny how people pointed the finger at Mr. Gibson but really he's showing us a glimpse and a taste of how cruel crucifixion was. I remember my friends at school discussing this movie, I remember people in my community discussing this movie and I remember almost anyone I knew discussing this movie. This movie did impact everyone in any place whether it was good or negative. This movie was the talk of the town. I remember signs outside the theatre, beside the ticket box office, and right outside the theatre door, the sign read something like this:
"This is a warning that the film, "The Passion of the Christ", has extreme scenes of violence, mutilation, and torture. These scenes are grim and not meant for youth or children, blah blah blah"
It's funny that the movie "Hostel" didn't have this sign but a movie about Jesus has it. Interesting.
This movie is breathtaking. Mel Gibson paints us a picture every "christian" film failed to paint. I grew up thinking Jesus was tall and elegant and everyone in bible times were white and clean cut. They all had cheesy lines, lame effects, and dumb music, "christian" films were just lame. Sure they had good intentions but really the execution was not there. But with this film it's different. Wow. I remember not knowing what to expect with this film. I remember thinking, wow this movie is going to be gory and gross and intense. It's all these things but Mel focuses on something else much more important, the heart of Jesus. This movie is a tear jerker, even if you believe that Jesus is Lord, or you just believe he was a man, this movie is emotional. The movie has an epic scale that Mel is so good at in creating his films. The music creates an amazing pace but it's also very dark and moody. Amidst all the evil that lurks in this movie the act of Jesus on the cross is so epic and triumphant. Mel's portrayal of Satan is bang on, Satan is creepy but charismatic and he/she continually mocks Jesus. It paints a perfect good/evil portrait that suits the film nicely. Now the violence.
This is a very violent film. Blood pours over the screen, whips dig into Jesus' body as he yells in pain, there is even a shot of the lash ripping into his eye. The guards are sadistic and laugh as they whip his body then they turn in over on his back and start lashing his stomach. It's intense. I've never seen Jesus crucified like this and I grew up watching films about this. I couldn't watch some of it, and I couldn't help but feel emotional as I seen my saviour and an innocent man get battered, but that's what happened. It's funny how people complained about the violence, but Mel showed tons of restraint. The romans weren't nice and being crucified is still one of the worst ways to die. They didn't even crucify roman citizens, they saved the cross for the worst of criminals. Some criminals even had there genitals nailed to the cross, the romans were great at torture and punishment. This is what happened to Jesus, I grew up watching films that showed Jesus with a scratch here and there, in Mel's film, he looks like a piece of meat. For the first time in my life I actually grasped how brutal it really was, it is emotional to watch and hard to watch but it actually makes me think of the crucifixion in a totally different way. This is an emotional film that is dark, sad, brutal, violent and ultimately triumphant as Jesus is resurrected and beats Satan. Mel's portrayal of the crucifixion is epic, beautiful, caring and spellbinding. I'm so glad that this was so violent, for the first time we see what Jesus could have actually gone through and that He loved us so much to be the ultimate lamb and go through such hell and torment. This film is authentic and sound and is a perfect way of showing people a little glimpse of what I personally believe in. I believe that Jesus showed us how to love others ultimately and his love shines through this film, even after all of the blood and gore, he is always victorious. Thank you Mel for showing an authentic vision of the most important and famous spiritual story ever told.
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