Photo by: Hollywoodjesus.com
Mel Gibson’s film “The Passion of the Christ” was released last week to controversy about anti-Sematism and violence.
The movie portrays the final 12 hours of Jesus’ life, played by James Caviezel, from the Garden of Gethsemene to his death on the cross, with flashbacks of his ministry mixed in. It is a beautifully filmed movie that vividly depicts what Jesus endured.
The “Passion” has been clouded by controversy months before it was even released. The Anti-Defamation League cried anti-Semitism; claiming the film portrayed the Jews as the people who killed Jesus.
Gibson said to Relevant magazine, “Anti-Semitism is not only contrary to my personal beliefs, it is also contrary to the core message of my movie. The “Passion” is a movie meant to inspire, not offend.”
Some have retracted their statements now that the film has been released. The Jewish Anti-Defeamation League and the U.S. Confrence of Catholic Bishops have both appologized for prior statements.
Others argued the graphic violence was too much. It is by far one of the bloodiest movies ever made.
However, this film accomplishes what Gibson set out to do, which is have people understand the reality of the story. The two most graphic scenes are when the Roman guards are beating Jesus and the crucifixion. The Romans are portrayed as vicious beasts that shredded Jesus’ skin by beating him within an inch of his life.
As Jesus is nailed to the cross the camera never cuts away. It shows the nails piercing his hands and feet. Gibson’s only onscreen cameo is in this seen. It is his hand that holds the eight-inch iron spike that is driven into Jesus’ hand. The realistic violent scenes are gut wrenching and many viewers left the theatres crying.
The film is unique in more ways than just one. The entire movie is in Aramaic, Hebrew, or Latin to maintain complete authenticity. Originally Gibson didn’t even want to have subtitles, he felt as if the images would speak for themselves.
“I want to transcend language with the visual,” said Gibson to Relevant magazine. However since the film is released domestically subtitles are included. This added an extra challenge for all the actors since they all had to learn a new language.
Another unique feature of this film is that Satan, played by Rosalinda Celentano, is an albino woman in a black cloak. She appears to Jesus in the garden, Judas Iscariot driving him to hang himself and the Virgin Mary, played by Jewish actress Maia Morgenstern. Satan scarcely speaks throughout the movie, but her eerie presence is felt.
Peter, played by Francesco De Vito, does a superb acting job, as he stays near Jesus’ side until he denies him three times. Mary Magdalene, played by Monica Bellucci, stays by Mary’s side throughout the entire process deeply affected herself.
Other bizarre coincidences were that Jim Caviezel is thirty three years old, the same age as Jesus when he was crucified and his initials are JC. Everyone on set was affected, there were even miracles occurring. “People have had their sight and hearing restored,” Gibson said to journalist Holly McClure. By far the most amazing occurrence was the assistant director, Jan Michellini, was struck by lightning twice and Caviezel once. Both men were unharmed. Gibson also funded a large part of the $25 million film himself, which is highly unusual.
Two campus groups have already gone to see the film. FOCUS, a Catholic ministry, and Campus Crusade for Christ, a Christian ministry on campus. Liz Kistler from Campus Crusade didn’t find the controversy justified.
“It helped me understand a more personal aspect of Jesus Christ,” said Kistler. “You can always read the Bible and read about his love, but I liked actually seeing it acted out and his servanthood shown.”
