Movie: The Passion of the Christ

[josh987654321]

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

I agree, I think it would have done Christ’s passion a great injustice to tone it down for viewing pleasure. After all, it is the amount of suffering that testifies to the amount of love He has for us.

God Bless You

Thank you for reading
Josh

 

[BartholomewB]

I agree, I think it would have done Christ’s passion a great injustice to tone it down for viewing pleasure. After all, it is the amount of suffering that testifies to the amount of love He has for us.

God Bless You

Thank you for reading
Josh

This time, Josh, I fully agree with you. Nicholas Ray’s King of Kings, for instance, was released in 1961, and it seems almost incredible, now, that at that time Hollywood felt the need to show such a sanitized Passion. The scourging takes place almost entirely off screen, with just a brief glimpse of the slashes across Christ’s back.

 

[clem456]

This time, Josh, I fully agree with you. Nicholas Ray’s King of Kings, for instance, was released in 1961, and it seems almost incredible, now, that at that time Hollywood felt the need to show such a sanitized Passion. The scourging takes place almost entirely off screen, with just a brief glimpse of the slashes across Christ’s back.

Makes you wonder how, for 2000 years, Christians have held healthy beliefs in the power of redemptive suffering, without needing to fill themselves with the graphical portrayal of it.
How did all those saints find the ascetic life? How did they find reverence and awe for Christ’s sacrifice?

?

At a time when reverence seems to be at an all time low in our culture, it seems to me a stepping back is in order (part of the virtue of reverence is to step back and respect that which is holy, to give the holy it’s proper due, to give it room to work in our lives.).
We do not need to appropriate every single thing for our viewing. I don’t need to see the heads chopped off, or the video of the shootings, or the graphic WW2 battlefield photos, to know that people get hurt in this life, and that Christ himself endured gruesome torture for us. It is a distinctly modern thing, this idea that I deserve to see, that I must see the details in all their entirety. It seems to show a disrespect for human dignity.

I also don’t need to see sexual representations on-screen to know that I am to give myself to my wife as Christ gave himself for his Church. You might say that is different. Really? How is it different? There is an element of the pornographic in this kind of graphic and gratuitous representation of violence, especially in a subject matter that is holy and deserves reverence.

Out of reverence for God, some things are just not meant to be indulged in.
This movie has some edifying scenes, but in the end it turns the stomach, as it should. As I was watching this the first time my wife got up and left the room.

Somehow I don’t imagine the Mother of God would appreciate this visual over-indulgence in her son’s suffering.

 

[BartholomewB]

Makes you wonder how, for 2000 years, Christians have held healthy beliefs in the power of redemptive suffering, without needing to fill themselves with the graphical portrayal of it.

There are art historians who would query that statement. At the time of the Counter-Reformation, in particular, depictions of the Scourging and the Crucifixion became particularly vivid and gory. Not to mention the martyrdom of St. Bartholomew (flayed alive), St. Sebastian (shot to death with arrows), St. Lawrence (roasted to death on a gridiron), St. Catherine (broken on the wheel), and many others.

 

[clem456]

There are art historians who would query that statement. At the time of the Counter-Reformation, in particular, depictions of the Scourging and the Crucifixion became particularly vivid and gory. Not to mention the martyrdom of St. Bartholomew (flayed alive), St. Sebastian (shot to death with arrows), St. Lawrence (roasted to death on a gridiron), St. Catherine (broken on the wheel), and many others.

You have to admit though, a piece of art is different than an hour+ of graphic action.

 

[GEddie]

You have to admit though, a piece of art is different than an hour+ of graphic action.

Not really, other than motion pictures were not available for most of Church history.

ICXC NIKA

 

[Constantine70]

I think it is an excellent movie and every Catholic should at least see it once.

 

[Mystrx]

Makes you wonder how, for 2000 years, Christians have held healthy beliefs in the power of redemptive suffering, without needing to fill themselves with the graphical portrayal of it.
How did all those saints find the ascetic life? How did they find reverence and awe for Christ’s sacrifice?

There are art historians who would query that statement. At the time of the Counter-Reformation, in particular, depictions of the Scourging and the Crucifixion became particularly vivid and gory. Not to mention the martyrdom of St. Bartholomew (flayed alive), St. Sebastian (shot to death with arrows), St. Lawrence (roasted to death on a gridiron), St. Catherine (broken on the wheel), and many others.

I was gonna post the same thing. Go and study catholic art in history. The counter reformation paintings and sculptures are much worse to look at in some instances.

This film did not horrify me at all. What it did was make me incredibly sad and empathic to our Lords suffering. I mean I cried watching this film in the theater, and I don’t cry over films, and never in public… not a chance. Also no christian is watching this film and feeling overly indulged in some form of pleasure unless they are ill. Its a great work of cinematic ART. I watch it every good Friday.
:angel1:

 

[1377Louis]

I repeat a portion of my earlier post:

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.

It is perfectly clear that far too many young Catholics (age18-40) do not have a clue about what Christianity means. I must emphasize that secularism,… moral relativism…etc. has caused people to be enslaved and they know nothing else than being selfish and seeking only fleeting pleasure and never bonafide happiness. I sincerely hope that Catholic families would welcome an opportunity to view this film and, as necessary, explain to their children that Jesus Christ really existed and gave his life as reparation for all human sinfulness. Mel Gibson, in all of his human frailties, was inspired by the Holy Spirit in making this film.

 

[clem456]

I repeat a portion of my earlier post:

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.

It is perfectly clear that far too many young Catholics (age18-40) do not have a clue about what Christianity means. I must emphasize that secularism,… moral relativism…etc. has caused people to be enslaved and they know nothing else than being selfish and seeking only fleeting pleasure and never bonafide happiness. I sincerely hope that Catholic families would welcome an opportunity to view this film and, as necessary, explain to their children that Jesus Christ really existed and gave his life as reparation for all human sinfulness. Mel Gibson, in all of his human frailties, was inspired by the Holy Spirit in making this film.

My point is, seeing a film that is steeped in violent and self indulgent visual culture will convince no one to be unselfish.
Some things are not meant to be indulged in. The scene of an accident for instance. The rantings of a mass murderer. The tears and wailing of a mother who has lost a child. How much of a need to know is there and how edifying can it be, really??? News cameras and entertainment need to develop some self restraint. (good luck!)

You may say yes, but, the sacrifice of Christ is something everyone needs to know about. And I agree with that. If the movie had spent half again as much time simply portraying the Gospel I think it would be great.
To much violence already!!!

Our children have games that allow them to shoot defenseless people in the back of the head. Think about that.
Why would a movie showing a man tortured to death have any effect? And is the torture and death the final story? No, it is not. The violence He endured is not His glory.

 

[josh987654321]

This time, Josh, I fully agree with you. Nicholas Ray’s King of Kings, for instance, was released in 1961, and it seems almost incredible, now, that at that time Hollywood felt the need to show such a sanitized Passion. The scourging takes place almost entirely off screen, with just a brief glimpse of the slashes across Christ’s back.

I thought a similar thing with the trailer of ‘The Bible’ series, with the scourging and other parts of the passion, It looked really weak, not how it would have actually been at all, in actuality it would have been extremely brutal, which I think only Mel Gibson’s movie, really captures compared to all the others that I have heard of or seen.

God Bless You

Thank you for reading
Josh

 

[Maximilan_Kolbe]

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 have heard or read the Passion in the Gospels hundred of times in my life, and never shed a tear.

I weep like a baby every time my wife and I watch the Passion. It brings what Christ did for us to life, and not showing how brutal and violent the Passion was to our Lord and Savior (for pete’s sake, they bullwhipped God, the creator of the universe!) dwould not resonate with people.

Something making us uncomfortable is not the same as something being inappropriate. That’s the same reason the media has chosen to ignore the Planned Parenthood videos, frankly. They’re “icky.”

 

[PJM]

=1377Louis;13386660]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 AGREE with you

Here’s why:
1st. Cor. 1: 21-25

“For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world, by wisdom, knew not God, it pleased God, by the foolishness of our preaching, to save them that believe. For both the Jews require signs, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews indeed a stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness: But unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

That we OUGHT to do this is evidenced by Catholics having a Crucifix; while other Christian faiths choose only to have a cross.

God Bless you!

Patrick.

 

[TxGodfollower]

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.

I heard this statement was later disputed by the Vatican. Could be wrong though.

Personally, I thought it was a very well done piece. A little too much Mary for my personal tastes, but not too over the top.

 

[djames99]

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.

Too dramatic and unreal. The Romans would have ensured the prisoner was not bled out prior to being crucified. So many whippings(or lead balls) would kill a person. The effect desired was to experience prolonged pain and eventual asphyxiation on the cross.

 

[oldrover]

I disagree.

I have heard or read the Passion in the Gospels hundred of times in my life, and never shed a tear.

I weep like a baby every time my wife and I watch the Passion. It brings what Christ did for us to life, and not showing how brutal and violent the Passion was to our Lord and Savior (for pete’s sake, they bullwhipped God, the creator of the universe!) dwould not resonate with people.

Something making us uncomfortable is not the same as something being inappropriate. That’s the same reason the media has chosen to ignore the Planned Parenthood videos, frankly. They’re “icky.”

100% agree… I watch the Passion and think, “Which of these lashes is for MY sins?” I almost tear up now even thinking about it. I watch it during Holy Week each year. IMHO a great movie.

 

[peter26]

I’ve seen this a couple of times. Its incredibly uncomfortable viewing. But it should be. Jesus was brutally tortured and crucified. It happened. and watching the full violence of it is necessary for any Christian to grow in their understanding of the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross.

 

[FollowChrist34]

Too dramatic and unreal. The Romans would have ensured the prisoner was not bled out prior to being crucified. So many whippings(or lead balls) would kill a person. The effect desired was to experience prolonged pain and eventual asphyxiation on the cross.

I agree. I didn’t like it for the same reason - it seemed like “Christ died a horribly violent death” - check out our reenactment here - is really about all there is to the film, IMHO. I can’t think of a single thing it deepened or enriched about my faith. I was already horrified by the Passion before I walked into the theater.

 

[multitude]

Well, I pulled this one out and watched it again for the first time in years. I’ve seen it before, but it’s still a highly uncomfortable watch. I heard that many of the production crew converted to Catholicism during the making of this film. I can’t say I’m surprised.

 

[Elizium23]

My point is, seeing a film that is steeped in violent and self indulgent visual culture will convince no one to be unselfish.
Some things are not meant to be indulged in. The scene of an accident for instance. The rantings of a mass murderer. The tears and wailing of a mother who has lost a child. How much of a need to know is there and how edifying can it be, really??? News cameras and entertainment need to develop some self restraint. (good luck!)

You may say yes, but, the sacrifice of Christ is something everyone needs to know about. And I agree with that. If the movie had spent half again as much time simply portraying the Gospel I think it would be great.
To much violence already!!!

Our children have games that allow them to shoot defenseless people in the back of the head. Think about that.
Why would a movie showing a man tortured to death have any effect? And is the torture and death the final story? No, it is not. The violence He endured is not His glory.

Perhaps it is a good idea to abolish the Stations of the Cross, then. Seeing Jesus fall all those times can’t be good for our fragile psyches. Reflecting piously on His hands and feet being nailed to the Cross could scar us for life. A mental image of Veronica wiping His bloody and sweaty face could give us nightmares. Who can stand seeing the inside of a tomb as Our Lord is laid in it? The whole thing gives me the willies. Rome should do something about it.