Thoughts / Comments on The Passion DVD

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Last night, I went to Holy Hour and, whilst there, I included the sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary in my prayers in preparation to watch the DVD (which I had bought earlier that day) later.

I started watching at 11.00 p.m. all on my own (hubby away and kids in bed). First of all, there are no extras on the DVD. You have the option to turn the subtitles off and there is a scene selection where you can switch to various scenes.

Well, after having seen it at the cinema four times, I sat there for two hours with my stomach in a total knot. It still had no less of an impact than it did at the cinema. Yes, it’s definitely better to watch it on the big screen and also I did find that watching the night scenes, the clarity was not as good as on the big screen (i.e. the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus before Caiphas, etc.) but I found it more personal watching it at home. What He went through just put my stomach into an even tighter knot. That film is absolutely amazing!

I am not a technical person and did have a problem where at one stage I could only see half of Jesus’ face but then I discovered that I had to zoom out and it was fine then.

I felt emotionally drained afterwards. It just reaffirmed what Mel Gibson said – that film is all about love and forgiveness. How Jesus could go through all of that for us is just beyond our human understanding. I just felt even closer to Him afterwards and I cannot stop thinking about Him today.

Was just wondering if anyone else has any thoughts or comments on the DVD.

Katie
 
i wish there were special features. but i unerstand it is a artistic work in addition to a religious movie so i guess it makes sense that there is only the movie.
 
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Brain:
but i unerstand it is a artistic work in addition to a religious movie so i guess it makes sense that there is only the movie.
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And keeps the costs down, which could make it a fave around the world, where billions have never even placed a phone call.
 
I watched the DVD last night with my wife. It was the first time each of us had seen the movie. I had an upset stomach the entire movie. Not from the graphic scenes, but from the overall feeling of sadness. I also noticed right away that there were no special features. I wish there were as I have many questions about particular scenes, and about some of the symbolism. At the end of the movie, I looked at my wife and asked, “Did you like the movie?” I quickly realized that was not the right question to ask. Needles to say, the mood was quite somber in our home last night.
 
You guys need the Guide to the Passion of the Christ. It explains the scenes in the movie. .
 
There is one special feature: Commentary for the Visually Impaired. Though I am correctably far-sighted, I’m glad it is there for those who need it (I’d heard of a theatre or two that presented this feature as well). It is kind of interesting to listen to (I’m playing it now).

I am also pleased that subtitle-less viewing (as Gibson originally intended) is available.

As an artistic and devotional work, I can appreciate that the makers would not want to tempt viewers to allow the film to be overshadowed by other typical features (deleted scenes, artist audio commentary, making-of featurettes) in this release.

I hope a “special edition” with more features (maybe even a director’s cut) might be released in future. I, for one, would be pleased to own both. (And would not feel at all that it had been a marketing gimmick of any kind)

Two thumbs up,
tee
 
Why do I get the feeling come next Easter there will be the Passion special eddition with commentries, deleted scenes and making of features?

THe Lord of the Rings did this to me first the crummy film only version comes out and then the bonanza version comes out later with all the aformentioned goodies.

More Money for Mel’s piggy bank. Maybe he can make another pro-christian film with all that money.
 
Is there anyone else besides me that stubbornly refuses to see this movie?

I don’t have a problem with the violence or gore. Nor do I have a problem with Mel himself. Rather, I simply don’t want for the rest of my life to go to Church during Holy Week and having the movie images running through my head. Anyone else feel this way?

Scott
 
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Maccabees:
Why do I get the feeling come next Easter there will be the Passion special eddition with commentries, deleted scenes and making of features?

THe Lord of the Rings did this to me first the crummy film only version comes out and then the bonanza version comes out later with all the aformentioned goodies.

More Money for Mel’s piggy bank. Maybe he can make another pro-christian film with all that money.
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Did you purchase this DVD? If so, you will have no one to blame but yourself if a “better” version comes along. The DVD packaging is quite absent of anything that would indicate special features, and I don’t think there will be any trouble getting copies for some time. To expand on what I’d said above: What could add to the relating of the story of Chirst’s suffering and death for our salvation…?

If you’re interested in the film for cinematic and back-story reasons, by all means wait for a second release. But don’t think there is no market for those who are otherwise interested. (And some, including myself, would be happy to own two versions with separate purposes)

And as for complaining that Mr Gibson is making money from the artistic work he produced – Remember: That is his livelihood, and people have been making respectable livings at producing religious art for centuries – It seems to me he tried desparately to “share the wealth” in the months leading up to this work and no one would touch it. At least 20CFox wised up to distribute the home videos…

probably shouldn’t be posting before :coffee:,
tee
 
I, my boys (11 and 7) and a few friends of mine were watching the Passion last night. Alot of tears needless to say.

During the crucifixion part, my 7 year old son went into his bedroom, and brought out his childrens bible, went to the back of the book and showed us all the Empty Cross, and said “See, the movie has a good ending”.

WOW!..this came from the youngest one among us.

And all this time I thought my son slept through Mass.
 
Scott Waddell:
Is there anyone else besides me that stubbornly refuses to see this movie?
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We’ll see…
Scott Waddell:
Rather, I simply don’t want for the rest of my life to go to Church during Holy Week and having the movie images running through my head.
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I recall those images when the bread and the wine are consecrated every Sunday. Those images enriched my worship and piety.

God bless.
 
Folks, if you want extras I believe the ABC interview with Mel is avalible on DVD. Also, EWTN might have their interviews with him and Jim on tape. In addition, there was a “Making of The Passion of The Christ” on I believe EWTN and PAX and if you caught those shows along with the program about how The Passion of The Christ changed people’s lives, then what is the point of buying a special edition DVD?
 
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Augustine:
We’ll see…

I recall those images when the bread and the wine are consecrated every Sunday. Those images enriched my worship and piety.

God bless.
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I agree there were many powerful images like this. It was not all violent. It was well made and true to life. The image of Jesus at the Last Supper is very powerful.
 
Scott Waddell:
Is there anyone else besides me that stubbornly refuses to see this movie?

I don’t have a problem with the violence or gore. Nor do I have a problem with Mel himself. Rather, I simply don’t want for the rest of my life to go to Church during Holy Week and having the movie images running through my head. Anyone else feel this way?

Scott
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Are you afraid of other kinds of art, too?
 
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tee_eff_em:
There is one special feature: Commentary for the Visually Impaired. Though I am correctably far-sighted, I’m glad it is there for those who need it (I’d heard of a theatre or two that presented this feature as well). It is kind of interesting to listen to (I’m playing it now).

I am also pleased that subtitle-less viewing (as Gibson originally intended) is available.

…
Two thumbs up,
tee
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I was planning on getting the DVD but I’m glad to know about the Commentary for the Visually Impaired; a friend is losing her vision and can’t read subtitles. And it will be interesting to see it without the subtitles. About 10 minutes into the film I didn’t even notice them even though I was probably reading them.
 
Scott Waddell:
Is there anyone else besides me that stubbornly refuses to see this movie?

I don’t have a problem with the violence or gore. Nor do I have a problem with Mel himself. Rather, I simply don’t want for the rest of my life to go to Church during Holy Week and having the movie images running through my head. Anyone else feel this way?

Scott
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I’m with you, Scott.

Though I may have a problem with the violence and even with Mel himself. Perhaps not with Mel the human being, but with Mel the ‘moviestar’. Mel may have reached up to Heaven and dragged the Lord down into his movie. Who is to say that God wanted us to focus on his passion at this particular time in history?

Contrast this with the faithful Eagle Scout from Missoula, Montana, sitting in his chair meditating until the “fullness of time” (like Mary) and only then bringing about the ‘incarnation’ of God into the world of cinema. The Eagle Scout: David Lynch. The movie: Mulholland Drive.

But, either way, I’m with you in questioning the (freely made) decision to view “The Passion”.
 
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