Here's a review someone sent me by e-mail. I dunno when it's coming out in Australia, but I can't wait to see it.
THE PASSION OF CHRIST
A great deal of interest has been aroused in Mel Gibson’s new 25 million dollar production The Passion of Christ (Icon Productions). All sorts of stories have been circulated. It is anti-semitic. It will have Aramaic and Latin dialogue without subtitles. The theatres will not handle it. And so on. None of these rumours is true.
In early November, I was privileged to attend a private screening of The Passion (its original title) as a guest of the Bible Society and Icon Films. I thought it was a remarkable production. Here, from a secular film company, is the most stunning, moving, heart-rending presentation of the story of salvation that I have ever seen. It seems that like Cyrus, who unexpectedly appeared as the financier of the rebuilt temple in the days of Ezra, Mel Gibson has emerged from left field as a champion of the Cross.
The Passion tells the story of the last twelve hours of the life of Jesus. It is very graphic, extremely realistic and both stunning and shocking in its presentation. The sufferings of Christ are portrayed so realistically that it will probably have an MA rating. It is certainly not a film for children.
I only saw an unfinished cut, and there could, I suppose, be some modifications. But overall, I expect my reflections will apply to the finished product. Let me comment on some of the common questions people are asking.
Is the dialogue in Aramaic and Latin? Yes it is. And this gives the film a further touch of authenticity (especially if you can remember the odd Latin phrase from your school days!) But there are English sub-titles. It is easy to follow.
Is it anti-semitic? No. The hero is a Jew. The good guys are Jews. And so are some of the bad guys, along with the Romans, who appear particularly cruel. It is a film about humanity, not nationality.
Is it pro-Catholic? Given that Gibson is a dedicated Catholic, you might expect it to be, but it is not. Mary has a prominent role but so does she in Scripture. She adds a human, sensitive touch to the story.
Is it overly violent? Possibly. But it is also authentic. I don’t think I will ever be able to think of the sufferings of Jesus in the same way again. The scourging scene, for example, is almost too much to bear. I was sitting there thinking, ‘Surely they must stop doing this to him.’ But they go on, as they must have gone on two millennia ago, until the merciless thrashing runs its course. The crucifixion is also presented realistically and authentically. For example, at one point, Mary reaches up to kiss Jesus’ feet and when she steps back, she has blood on her face, as no doubt, she would have had at the time. No detail seems to have been spared.
Is the story true to Scripture? Allowing for the occasional film producer’s embellishment, fundamentally it is. And even the embellishments are not inconsistent with Scripture. In fact, in most cases, I thought they added to the impact of the story.
Is the gospel message clearly presented? Yes, it is. In the version I saw, the opening screen was simply a blank frame on which appeared these words from Isaiah 53, ‘He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities and with his wounds we are healed.’ At other points during the movie, the idea of substitutionary death is made very clear (even Satan mentions it!).
Can The Passion be an effective evangelistic tool? Yes, very much so. I hope Christians all over the country will arrange to invite their friends and watch the movie with them, then sit down for coffee afterwards and discuss the issues raised. People will want to talk about it.
Finally, be warned, there were plenty of tears shed by the group who saw the film with me—who were nearly all men, by the way. So take your tissue box. When the film concluded we all simply sat in silence. No one spoke. No one moved. It seemed as though we were on holy ground.
I don’t know how you could see The Passion without being moved to the core. If this film doesn’t touch your heart, I don’t know what will.
Find out more at http://www.passion-movie.com
THE PASSION OF CHRIST
A great deal of interest has been aroused in Mel Gibson’s new 25 million dollar production The Passion of Christ (Icon Productions). All sorts of stories have been circulated. It is anti-semitic. It will have Aramaic and Latin dialogue without subtitles. The theatres will not handle it. And so on. None of these rumours is true.
In early November, I was privileged to attend a private screening of The Passion (its original title) as a guest of the Bible Society and Icon Films. I thought it was a remarkable production. Here, from a secular film company, is the most stunning, moving, heart-rending presentation of the story of salvation that I have ever seen. It seems that like Cyrus, who unexpectedly appeared as the financier of the rebuilt temple in the days of Ezra, Mel Gibson has emerged from left field as a champion of the Cross.
The Passion tells the story of the last twelve hours of the life of Jesus. It is very graphic, extremely realistic and both stunning and shocking in its presentation. The sufferings of Christ are portrayed so realistically that it will probably have an MA rating. It is certainly not a film for children.
I only saw an unfinished cut, and there could, I suppose, be some modifications. But overall, I expect my reflections will apply to the finished product. Let me comment on some of the common questions people are asking.
Is the dialogue in Aramaic and Latin? Yes it is. And this gives the film a further touch of authenticity (especially if you can remember the odd Latin phrase from your school days!) But there are English sub-titles. It is easy to follow.
Is it anti-semitic? No. The hero is a Jew. The good guys are Jews. And so are some of the bad guys, along with the Romans, who appear particularly cruel. It is a film about humanity, not nationality.
Is it pro-Catholic? Given that Gibson is a dedicated Catholic, you might expect it to be, but it is not. Mary has a prominent role but so does she in Scripture. She adds a human, sensitive touch to the story.
Is it overly violent? Possibly. But it is also authentic. I don’t think I will ever be able to think of the sufferings of Jesus in the same way again. The scourging scene, for example, is almost too much to bear. I was sitting there thinking, ‘Surely they must stop doing this to him.’ But they go on, as they must have gone on two millennia ago, until the merciless thrashing runs its course. The crucifixion is also presented realistically and authentically. For example, at one point, Mary reaches up to kiss Jesus’ feet and when she steps back, she has blood on her face, as no doubt, she would have had at the time. No detail seems to have been spared.
Is the story true to Scripture? Allowing for the occasional film producer’s embellishment, fundamentally it is. And even the embellishments are not inconsistent with Scripture. In fact, in most cases, I thought they added to the impact of the story.
Is the gospel message clearly presented? Yes, it is. In the version I saw, the opening screen was simply a blank frame on which appeared these words from Isaiah 53, ‘He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities and with his wounds we are healed.’ At other points during the movie, the idea of substitutionary death is made very clear (even Satan mentions it!).
Can The Passion be an effective evangelistic tool? Yes, very much so. I hope Christians all over the country will arrange to invite their friends and watch the movie with them, then sit down for coffee afterwards and discuss the issues raised. People will want to talk about it.
Finally, be warned, there were plenty of tears shed by the group who saw the film with me—who were nearly all men, by the way. So take your tissue box. When the film concluded we all simply sat in silence. No one spoke. No one moved. It seemed as though we were on holy ground.
I don’t know how you could see The Passion without being moved to the core. If this film doesn’t touch your heart, I don’t know what will.
Find out more at http://www.passion-movie.com
Buy on AliExpress.com
:thumb:
