蜜芽传媒 - Beds, Herts and Bucks Films

We know the story but the simple description of "scourging" is shown blow by blow, stroke by stroke as virtually every piece of skin is flayed from Christ's body. The brutality of the Roman thugs is heightened when, after relentless torture, you and they realise Christ's chest is relatively unscathed. They turn him over and lay into him again, one instrument of torture rips into his side and exposes his rib cage. This is the first time in the film that I cried: I cried I think because of the inhumanity man is capable of against a fellow being.

The violence is perhaps the biggest point of contention with this film. It is drawn out and there is no subtlety in the filming.

You see the nails being hammered through flesh and bone (if you can bear to watch) and after the left hand is nailed there is an even more violent moment when the right arm is wrenched from its socket. You will have to be prepared for this level of anguish if you watch the Passion.

There is little room for artistic licence in this film, but where Gibson uses it, it sometimes works wonderfully but sometimes goes hopelessly awry.

The figure of Satan appears as a very effete character throughout the film, but not everybody will understand that. Gibson couldn't use the voice of Satan because he chose to make the film in Aramaic and street Latin with subtitles.

This doesn't hinder the film because everybody in the audience is in the same boat and anybody who picked up the New Testament knows the words.

Where I feel this film does well is in the acting of some of the supporting cast. Jim Cavaziel's Jesus won't win best actor because it聮s a triumph of make-up and special effects. But the character of Pontius Pilate, impotent in his control of the indigenous people and unable to control the thuggery of his own soldiers is impressive.

The offer to release Barrabas or Jesus is a masterful scene. Barrabas is a deranged mass murderer. The crowd, who seem to have been inspired by the mob in Life of Brian, choose Barrabas and Pilate has lost his last throw of the dice to save Jesus. That denouement is achieved without words and is matched by Joseph Of Arimathea's realisation that there is something special about Jesus as they reach Calvary. Typical of the film, he is then subject to Roman thuggery.

For me the use of flashbacks was impressive and I would have liked more of that and less of the gratuitous violence. On his drawn out walk with the cross, Christ remembers his entry into Jerusalem a week earlier. It is as I always imagined it to be.

For the Last Supper flashback Gibson lights the scene in the style of the Da Vinci masterpiece聟.and a brief Sermon of the Mount scene makes you wonder what could be achieved if Gibson chose to focus on the life rather than the death of Jesus.

The film has been accused of being anti-Semitic. I don't think it is, because the story in this respect is to quote the Vatican is "How it was".

The Pharisees were threatened by Jesus who said he would destroy their temple and rebuild it in three days. They wanted rid of him and harnessed the ignorant mob to sway the Romans. It was achieved in the Life of Brian to similar effect.

As the temple is rent asunder after Christ's death the Pharisees are seen to realise their mistake. The heroes and heroines of the film are Jews and the portrayal of Joseph of Arimathea and his realisation is perhaps the best example of this.

The Roman soldiers emerge as thugs although the seeds of Christianity are there in the realisation among some of them of the enormity of what they have done.

I have never thought so much about a film before. I have had to turn to the Bible to check Gibson's references and many will turn to the Bible to read the story. The duty manager at the Luton Cineworld speaks of block bookings and this film will stimulate debate wherever and whenever is shown.

When you next sing the words: "And I believe it was for us he hung and suffered there", the images of Gibson's Passion will be there in your mind. I can understand every decision Gibson made in making the film.

For many it will be unwatchable, but like Schindler's List it is a film that must be seen if you have any belief in Jesus. You won't enjoy it but you will re-examine why you have let Jesus into your life if you have. If you haven't then at least you will understand why so many believe Jesus to be the Son of God.

Mel Gibson is a brave man to have tried to film the most cataclysmic event to affect the civilised world. It has its critics including me but in the end he achieved his goal. It is as it was 聟聟and yes it ends with the Resurrection.

Matt, St.Albans	Sunday, 12-Sep-2004 16:39:53 BST

i want to see it but my family let me i think its the fact its to horrific and the fact that i am a catholic and maybe the other reason is that im only 14 and i think the certifcate is 18

Edward T. Graney, Dana Point, California	Monday, 28-Jun-2004 23:43:39 BST

Ordinarilly I do not read the comments of another when a film is being considered. But this was more than a "quote, unquote" film. It was a reality that lives within we sinners and we know we had better do something about it. I do not speak as one who has all the answers, but I do speak of one who, when asked the question, "Have you found Him (meaning Christ)", my answer is. "No. I am one of the lucky ones. I never lost Him." Now I, thank God, after "The Passion of the Christ" have another reference to guide me.

Edward T. Graney, Dana Point, California	Monday, 28-Jun-2004 23:43:39 BST

Ordinarilly I do not read the comments of another when a film is being considered. But this was more than a "quote, unquote" film. It was a reality that lives within we sinners and we know we had better do something about it. I do not speak as one who has all the answers, but I do speak of one who, when asked the question, "Have you found Him (meaning Christ)", my answer is. "No. I am one of the lucky ones. I never lost Him." Now I, thank God, after "The Passion of the Christ" have another reference to guide me.

Dorcas Bethel, New York City	Tuesday, 06-Apr-2004 00:43:57 BST

I have watched the film twice and have been very interested in the audience reaction. during my first viewing we laughed at many of the prescouging scenes. Some members of the audiece made some very funny commentary. When the scourging began, the laughter stopped. We seemingly winced twice a minute when the film depicted how Christ suffered. Many people left the theatre, resolving to 'return to church'. During my second viewing there were more young people and more tears. Some teenagers had to leave the theatre during the scourging because they were crying so hard. Other sat horrified. One woman brought her son who could not have been 12. He was dumbfounded by what he saw. One woman was bawling hysterically when the movie was over. During both viewings, people were touched in an emotional manner that had not happened during the reading of the Gospel narratives. Seeing the suffering of the Saviour forced me to see how much my sin cost Jesus. I had to lay in my bed for two days, seeking the spirit of forgiveness that Christ had. My suffering are nowhere near those of Christ. Because I now have a greater understanding of the cost of sin, I am trying harder than ever to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and to live a life set apart for God's purposes.

Joanna R., Powidz, Poland	Wednesday, 31-Mar-2004 21:39:36 BST

I saw the film a week ago and I find it very impressing. It depicts the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ very realistically (cruelty characterised those times). It's exactly as I had imagined it. Thus, it's difficult to remain indifferent to Jesus if you did not close your eyes during the projection. I hope that all Christians will strengthen their faith after seeing Gibson's film!

Ruby, Herts	Tuesday, 30-Mar-2004 14:02:30 BST

I'm not at al religious, but wanted to see the film. I thought it was brilliant. Very thought provoking. It made me want to re-read the Bible.

DD, Bedford	Tuesday, 30-Mar-2004 12:32:04 BST

First of all I wish to congratulate Mel Gibson for his courage in financing and making this film. I feel unable to view this film myself knowing what my Saviour suffered for me I find absolutely devastating. In a Godless society, people need to be made aware of what Jesus Christ, the Son of God, did to pay for all our sins. With all the "horror" and perverted films that are in the cinemas, The Passion of the Christ IS how it was, and all who see this film surely should reflect and remember just what Jesus Christ did for us all. It wasn't the Jews that killed Jesus - we all did!

Ernie Davis, Bedford	Tuesday, 30-Mar-2004 11:36:54 BST

Like others I saw this film and was struck with the pain and hardship that my Lord suffered for my sins. Full marks must go to Mel Gibson for producing this film, which I feel shows the situation as it was in those times. One can always say that something was not included or mised out or just wasn't right (Michael from Birmingham) but unless the film ran for 12 hours it is impossible to incude everything. Reading the gospels prepared me in no way for the event, as the film brought home to me fully the sacrifice made for me. Yes crucifixion was cruel and it drew the morbid to watch, laugh and jeer, but then in this country a few hundred years ago people used to watch public hangings. As regards the fear amongst some Jewish people, I feel is is unfounded if they would just accept that no true Christain would attach sole blame to them, rather it was all our sins that sent him there.

Michael, Birmingham	Monday, 29-Mar-2004 11:42:15 BST

There are PROS and CONS regarding the movie:- PROS ... the blood and the cross. CONS ... some details in the film are not based on the Holy Bible. Regarding the violence, in actual fact the result of the violence and shame to the Lord Jesus was greater than depicted in the movie. For example :- 1. They pulled out His beard (not depicted in the movie!) 2. They made his back like a plowed field ( not just superifical marks.) 3. Bible preachers believe He hung naked on the cross not with a pair of shorts on! Just as many were astonished at you, So His visage was marred more than any man, And His form more than the sons of men;(Isa.52: 14) The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows. (Ps.129:3) I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. ( Isa 50:6 ). Overall I would say the movie is very good because it depicts the measures God went to pay for a person's sin. The decision is up to the individual whether he/she accepts the gift of God, which equates to eternal life, payed for by the precious blood of Lord Jesus Christ. Michael.

Richard Page, Leighton Buzzard	Saturday, 27-Mar-2004 20:19:48 GMT

Ian, thank you, after reading your story I feel I must watch the film although I am not looking forward to it.

Michael Law, Northampton	Saturday, 27-Mar-2004 16:06:33 GMT

My wife and I saw this film on Saturday morning 11a.m 27/03/04. No more 12 people in the cinema. What a wonderful film and very well done. The violence was we thought perhaps how our Lord's passion and suffering was carried out at the time. Easter time for us in our Church will have a greater meaning for us. Well done Mel Gibson. It is a shame the world has not learnt any lessons fron our Lord's suffering, Perhaps one day !!!.

Lynda Edwards, Norwich	Friday, 26-Mar-2004 19:34:30 GMT

Thanks, Ian, for this write-up. I have been wondering about this film. Your description will suffice - I don't need to see the film now - I am too squeamish! When we read or hear the biblical stories we are led to believe that Christ was merely stabbed once in the side. I am quite prepared to believe the film's depiction as I imagine the people in those days could be a gruesome lot!

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