Movie: The Passion of the Christ

[1377Louis]

This “Mel Gibson” production should be regularly presented in all Parishes. It is foundational and has great impact. I would like to have feedback on this idea as I intend to have a meeting with my Pastor soon about this. Some people I have spoken to about this seem to only want to relate the movie to Lent. I feel otherwise, since many Catholics need to re-focus on the life of Jesus Christ, especially His Passion and Death.

 

[BartholomewB]

Doesn’t the intrusive female Satan figure―Mel Gibson’s own personal addition to the Passion narrative―make the movie unsuitable for use in evangelization? Won’t your catechists have a lot of explaining to do?

 

[1377Louis]

Your observation is valid, and should raise questions. To help support my thoughts about using this movie in evangelization, I offer a link below. One must consider Mel Gibson’s overall approach in relating this horrific story. Adding ‘satanic’ elements was necessary. I stand firm that presenting this film has much to offer and points about satan must be focused on which relate to everyone. We live in “a culture of death and darkness”. Giving people ‘food for thought’ about this should help in shocking some into thinking about Eternity …“smoking or non-smoking” ?? …

christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/marchweb-only/040301passion.html

 

[BartholomewB]

I followed your link, where Mel Gibson explains what he meant by his symbolism, but he doesn’t explain why he thought it necessary to introduce any such symbolism at all. His additions to the Gospel narrative are not an improvement, I think. Personally, I would have liked the movie better without them.

 

[pianistclare]

My 2 cents?
Nothing wrong with this movie. Mel’s personal life has nothing to do with it.
It’s a devastating account of what really happened. We watch it during Holy Week…very moving. I never even thought that the satan figure was a woman. It seems an androgynous evil portrayal. Gives me the creeps just thinking about it.
I doubt your pastor will want to show it outside of Lent.

 

[josh987654321]

This “Mel Gibson” production should be regularly presented in all Parishes. It is foundational and has great impact. I would like to have feedback on this idea as I intend to have a meeting with my Pastor soon about this. Some people I have spoken to about this seem to only want to relate the movie to Lent. I feel otherwise, since many Catholics need to re-focus on the life of Jesus Christ, especially His Passion and Death.

The movie was also inspired by the book ‘The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ’ by Anne Catherine Emmerich (after Mel Gibson read the book) which contains the Roman Catholic Imprimatur and Nihil Obstat. I have read the book and watched the movie and found them both to be very moving.

God Bless You

Thank you for reading
Josh

 

[josh987654321]

Doesn’t the intrusive female Satan figure―Mel Gibson’s own personal addition to the Passion narrative―make the movie unsuitable for use in evangelization? Won’t your catechists have a lot of explaining to do?

The following I believe might help -

christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/marchweb-only/040301passion.html

When asked why he portrayed Satan—an androgynous, almost beautiful being played by Rosalinda Celentano—the way he did, Gibson replied: "I believe the Devil is real, but I don’t believe he shows up too often with horns and smoke and a forked tail. The devil is smarter than that. Evil is alluring, attractive. It looks almost normal, almost good—but not quite.

“That’s what I tried to do with the Devil in the film. The actor’s face is symmetric, beautiful in a certain sense, but not completely. For example, we shaved her eyebrows. Then we shot her almost in slow motion so you don’t see her blink—that’s not normal. We dubbed in a man’s voice in Gethsemane even though the actor is a woman … That’s what evil is about, taking something that’s good and twisting it a little bit.”

I hope this has helped

God Bless You

Josh

 

[BartholomewB]

Josh

That is exactly the quote that I was replying to in my post #4, where I wrote:

I followed your link, where Mel Gibson explains what he meant by his symbolism, but he doesn’t explain why he thought it necessary to introduce any such symbolism at all. His additions to the Gospel narrative are not an improvement, I think. Personally, I would have liked the movie better without them.

 

[josh987654321]

I personally believe you would be misjudging the movie with such views. I believe the books that inspired the film were very good and the film likewise was very good and I didn’t find any taint of Gibson’s personal anti-Semitic views/tones at all. I think he stuck relatively well to the Gospel account.

I hope this has helped

God Bless You

Thank you for reading
Josh

 

[josh987654321]

Josh

That is exactly the quote that I was replying to in my post #4, where I wrote:

haha, yes, I realized that a couple minutes after I posted, so I quickly deleted it, I was hoping you didn’t read it before I deleted it.

God Bless You

Thank you for reading
Josh

 

[Dorothy]

This “Mel Gibson” production should be regularly presented in all Parishes. It is foundational and has great impact. I would like to have feedback on this idea as I intend to have a meeting with my Pastor soon about this. Some people I have spoken to about this seem to only want to relate the movie to Lent. I feel otherwise, since many Catholics need to re-focus on the life of Jesus Christ, especially His Passion and Death.

I was very moved by the movie; it really brought home how horrific our Lord’s Passion was. Also, the relationship between Our Lord and His Mother was portrayed in an excellent way.

A Catholic Church in my area showed scenes from this movie during the Divine Mercy Chaplet, starting at 3:00 PM on Divine Mercy Sunday.

After reading the critiques of this movie, perhaps it is not a good idea.

I would like to see more children and adults taught how to meditate on the Stations of the Cross, and not only during Friday nights of Lent.

I admit, that as a parent I did not fully understand how to be a spiritual director for my children; now, I am aware how minimal I was and drawing them together in prayer and teaching should have been much more frequently.

I have the movie and have shown it to many relatives, friends, and grandchildren. For the grandchildren (14 and over) with the permission of their parents.

Perhaps if your pastor says okay it would seem to me that only those who wanted to would come.

 

[GEddie]

I’d say seeing this film is one thing every Christian should do at least once.

Too many times, the “Christian film message” is presented as a rush of gooey feelings and “prayer conquers all.” But that is not the message and POTC shows just how tough the message can be.

ICXC NIKA

 

[Todd977]

This “Mel Gibson” production should be regularly presented in all Parishes.

The movie is recommended for adults only; it is not recommended for young children and adolescents.

Due to gory scenes of torture and crucifixion, a suicide and some frightening images, the USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III - - adults. (source)

 

[Sarcelle]

I personally resisted seeing this movie for years for the same reason Jharek gave.

I finally saw it a couple of years ago and what I took away from this movie is that while we have all heard the slick and glossy “I have been saved by Jesus” that Evangelicals like to tell others, the Catholic focus on the Passion tells us that this saving act of Jesus also came with blood, death and a lot of suffering.

 

[pianistclare]

I’d say seeing this film is one thing every Christian should do at least once.

Too many times, the “Christian film message” is presented as a rush of gooey feelings and “prayer conquers all.” But that is not the message and POTC shows just how tough the message can be.

ICXC NIKA

Exactly. Many children view the Passion as something that happened along time ago, and everything turned out good for us.
Maybe so, but the horror and the sacrifice should be portrayed. We see far worse on Law and Order and think nothing of watching it.
We don’t recommend it for anyone younger than 13.

If it were made by any other person, would be still be opposed to it?
Probably not.

 

[GEddie]

Exactly. Many children view the Passion as something that happened along time ago, and everything turned out good for us.
Maybe so, but the horror and the sacrifice should be portrayed. We see far worse on Law and Order and think nothing of watching it.
We don’t recommend it for anyone younger than 13.

If it were made by any other person, would be still be opposed to it?
Probably not.

Absolutely.

I couldn’t give less of a flip about the private lives of film celebrities; what matters to me is what’s on the screen. And in POTC, very masterfully done indeed. Full-stop!

ICXC NIKA

 

[Edmundus1581]

This “Mel Gibson” production** should be regularly presented in all Parishes**. It is foundational and has great impact. I would like to have feedback on this idea as I intend to have a meeting with my Pastor soon about this. Some people I have spoken to about this seem to only want to relate the movie to Lent. I feel otherwise, since many Catholics need to re-focus on the life of Jesus Christ, especially His Passion and Death.

I think that you need to re-focus on the joy in life.

Please watch The Sound of Music.

How did that feel?

It’s not our place to make un-solicited comments on other people’s spiritual lives or to recommend particular remedies - especially to recommend remedies which involve a significant effort and come from our own personal preferences (no matter how worthy they may be). If people ask advice, then give it, but otherwise just pray for others.

You don’t know what penance people are doing in their private lives, or their journey. Your priest is probably in much better contact with these than you are.

By all means suggest this to your priest, but try to avoid the motive of improving other people, and accept your priest’s decision without anxiety.

 

[Antegin]

St. Pope John Paul II found that the movie was true to the Gospel of John. That gospel is harsh with the Jews. I found it interesting though that there was very little in the way of praise for this film by someone who is probably the greatest saint of the century and possibly a future Doctor of the Church.

 

[clem456]

There are edifying moments in the movie but it is gratuitously and unnecessarily violent. Not everything that happens in life need be portrayed in graphic detail. I think his over the top graphic portrayal is a symptom of a voyeuristic culture.

 

[GEddie]

There are edifying moments in the movie but it is gratuitously and unnecessarily violent. Not everything that happens in life need be portrayed in graphic detail. I think his over the top graphic portrayal is a symptom of a voyeuristic culture.

I disagree, I think that certain events that are far enough into the past should indeed be shown in their full ugliness, and what happened to our LORD sure qualifies, IMNAAHO.

ICXC NIKA