Mel Gibsons "The Passion of the Christ"

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I was just wondering… how many of you will be watching Mel Gibsons “The Passion of the Christ” tonight, or tomorrow?

For a long time, I was afraid to watch it. I had heard how graphic and bloody it was. But finally, two years ago… I did watch it on Good Friday. And it has since become a part of my Holy Thursday/Good Friday tradition. It is difficult to watch, and leaves me in a very emotional state. But, I end up with at least a “sense” of what Our dear Lord did for us all. And I thank Him.

I hope that if you have it on dvd, you will watch it tonight or tomorrow. God bless.
 
I’m watching it tomorrow. I’m going to establish a self-tradition where I watch it on Good Friday.

I’m considering going through all of Jesus of Nazareth on Easter, too. Not sure about that.
 
I won’t watch it not because of the violence and gore, but because it’s Hollywood’s Same Old **** applied to the Passion narrative, and I don’t want it in my head:
Nor is it only the scourging and beating which is written in Hollywoodese. Allusions to other movies range from Chuckie-like child sprites out of mainstream horror flicks to a pale Bergmanian devil with a dramatically gratuitous snake to certify his scriptural authenticity. There is even at one point a computer-animated movie demon like something out of The Devil’s Advocate or The Ninth Gate. This kind of thing I found at least as dislocating to the sense of occasion as if, instead of Latin and Aramaic, the movie had been made in Brooklynese. All of which is simply to say that The Passion of the Christ is like every other Mel Gibson picture in being ridiculously overproduced. As the British would say, he has once again over-egged the pudding. The new age music with pan pipes and wordless choruses, the swelling orchestral sounds at moments of significance, the flashbacks cross cut with the main action so as to produce heavy-handed ironies — all these things take us annoyingly out of the period and plonk us down jarringly in the entertainment culture of the present day.
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I’ve never seen the movie, and I’m kinda afraid to watch it. I’m afraid it would be too much for me to handle, especially emotionally.
 
I will watch it today.

Unlike other good Christians who rushed out to see it in theaters, I waited about a year or so. Even then when watching it though I closed my eyes through a number of parts (the woman playing the devil is wickidly scary on first watch).

I find it prayerful. I have never heard that it turned people away from Christ or that anyone was disappointed in seeing it. I have only heard that it drew people closer, awoke in them a greater knowledge of their self and their failures, and that it also inspired many to be better for love of God and to turn away from sin. It did this with me as well. I will watch it today.
 
It is difficult for me to watch the Passion movie. I think of it as the Stations of the Cross. To get through it I pray the Rosary. There are parts where I close my eyes, especially during the Scouraging.
 
daughterofmary said:
I find it prayerful. I have never heard that it turned people away from Christ or that anyone was disappointed in seeing it. I have only heard that it drew people closer, awoke in them a greater knowledge of their self and their failures, and that it also inspired many to be better for love of God and to turn away from sin. It did this with me as well. I will watch it today.
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AMEN.

I will watch it today too. It is VERY difficult to watch, but doing so helps me to remember all that Jesus went through for me. “Seeing” it is incredibly painful, but not nearly as painful as what He endured, and I keep that in mind.

God bless you all today.
 
scottgun, I could not dissagree with you more. Yes the violence is very graphic in nature, but roman scourgings and crucifixions were not pretty. The “over the top” graphic nature drives home to us just how brutal it was, and what our Lord endured for us. The personification of evil is a theatrical tool, but rather than detract from the experience, reminded me that Satan is real and is there to tempt and accuse us. Mel Gibson explained the use of the demon child as a way of showing that evil can sometimes be disguised as innocence. When you first see the child, it looks normal until it turns its head and you see the evil. As for the music, I didn’t find it “new age” but rather meditative. Finally, the flashbacks helped to put things in context and in some cases, take the viewer away from the brutality for a moment to allow our senses to deal with it and keep us from being numbed by it at the same time. But these are just my opinions. You are certainly entitled to yours.
 
brockmac said:
scottgun, I could not dissagree with you more. Yes the violence is very graphic in nature, but roman scourgings and crucifixions were not pretty. The “over the top” graphic nature drives home to us just how brutal it was, and what our Lord endured for us. The personification of evil is a theatrical tool, but rather than detract from the experience, reminded me that Satan is real and is there to tempt and accuse us. Mel Gibson explained the use of the demon child as a way of showing that evil can sometimes be disguised as innocence. When you first see the child, it looks normal until it turns its head and you see the evil. As for the music, I didn’t find it “new age” but rather meditative. Finally, the flashbacks helped to put things in context and in some cases, take the viewer away from the brutality for a moment to allow our senses to deal with it and keep us from being numbed by it at the same time. But these are just my opinions. You are certainly entitled to yours.
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Actually I believe I am holding to a developed judgement, not merely an opinion. Here is an entry I wrote when someone else objected to my desire not to see the same ol’ movieish victim-chic of The Passion: Image Problem–Is there a Difference Between a Crucifix and Gibson’s “The Passion?”
 
No, I haven’t gotten up the will to watch it!

But, I did order Jesus of Nazareth off of Amazon yesterday (it was only about 18$!) and got the one-day shipping so I could watch it over the weekend. I have wonderful memories of this film from childhood, and when my kids get a little older, I’m looking forward to sharing it with them!

Have a holy Good Friday and a wonderful Easter!

S.
 
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Scottgun:
Actually I believe I am holding to a developed judgement, not merely an opinion.
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If you’ve never seen the movie, how can you hold a developed judgment on it? I’m not trying to coerce you into seeing something you don’t want to see. But your remarks certainly go to show that you feel that people that do see the film as part of their Lenten observance or as part of their spiritual journey into Holy week that something is wrong with them for doing so. I find that a little odd.

I saw the movie the Lenten season it came out. I was particularly moved by the scenes of the scourging and the scene where Mary tries to compassionately touch Peter after his denial and Peter withdraws in shame.
 
b_justb said:
If you’ve never seen the movie, how can you hold a developed judgment on it? I’m not trying to coerce you into seeing something you don’t want to see. But your remarks certainly go to show that you feel that people that do see the film as part of their Lenten observance or as part of their spiritual journey into Holy week that something is wrong with them for doing so. I find that a little odd.

I saw the movie the Lenten season it came out. I was particularly moved by the scenes of the scourging and the scene where Mary tries to compassionately touch Peter after his denial and Peter withdraws in shame.
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'tis exactly what I was wondering.
 
It is a glorious movie. Of course it uses Hollywood techniques. What else would one expect? It is also a wonderful evangelistic movie. I applaud those who watch it yearly.

CDL
 
Can’t wait to watch the film right after Good Friday Service with members of the area Catholic Young Adults. We’re going to watch it as a group, then pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy together. Could you ask for a greater group of friends or a better way to spend Good Friday (or any Friday for that matter)?

Then its rise early for Easter Vigil Rehearsals and t-1 day before I join the Body of Christ. 👍
 
I have seen excerpts, previous experience with Gibson’s style, and I go by people whose judgement I trust and have verified. This is perfectly acceptable under the I-don’t-need-to-eat-used-kitty-litter-to-know-I-shouldn’t rule. Really now, one can complain with the similar argument of, “how do you know you The DaVinci Code, or The Golden Compass is bad without seeing it?” or one could (gasp!) actually interact with my points. But I think I’m done trying to save the world from bad taste. 🙂 Peace be with you and ciao.
 
Someone sounds pretty grumpy for Good Friday. 🤷

Hope your day gets better Scott… it is after all… just a movie.
 
harrisunt said:
Can’t wait to watch the film right after Good Friday Service with members of the area Catholic Young Adults. We’re going to watch it as a group, then pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy together. Could you ask for a greater group of friends or a better way to spend Good Friday (or any Friday for that matter)?

Then its rise early for Easter Vigil Rehearsals and t-1 day before I join the Body of Christ. 👍
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Lucky you! 👍
 
We also love the movie. I will also echo that the pain that Christ went thru for us was not pretty and to say that it is unneeded to see it is inacurate. We watched it Wednesday night because Hubby was home that night from work. I may watch again tonight.
 
Scottgun said:
Actually I believe I am holding to a developed judgement, not merely an opinion. Here is an entry I wrote when someone else objected to my desire not to see the same ol’ movieish victim-chic of The Passion: Image Problem–Is there a Difference Between a Crucifix and Gibson’s “The Passion?”
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I can actually see your point. I watched it the other day and was a bit annoyed by some of the heavy-handed cinematic devices. I don’t think it can be helped entirely: Mel Gibson is a product of his time and place. No matter who the director, I don’t think it’s possible to create something truly “timeless.” In twenty years, this movie will look as dated as anything starring Charleton Heston.

I don’t think that means the movie has no merit and can’t be an aid to devotion. It just might not have the intended effect on everyone.
 
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