Director Mel Gibson, a devout Roman Catholic, has created the most graphic depiction of the crucifixion in "The Passion of the Christ". Gibson had the audacity to create a realistically brutal version of the story of Jesus' crucifixion for all the world to see..
The movie has fueled controversy for being too graphic, and that it may be anti-semetic. Most people who have seen the movie don't agree there is any anti-semitism. All this may add to the public relations fuel that is helping to sell tickets, the film is surpassing sales of major studio pictures, Passion is expected to become the biggest motion picture of all time. Hollywood industry forecasts of box office revenues alone say it will reach the $1 billion dollar mark before it goes into DVD. Why do people flock to see this movie? Some say its because there's so much controversy, others say because Hollywood has simply ignored making biblical and faith oriented movies. The time has come, audiences are ripe for entertainment with meaning, and Hollywood is listening. It is expected that there will be other biblical movies to follow, the buzz in Hollywood is what will be the next hot property, will audiences respond? Time will tell.
"The Passion" is a story that gives us a real eye opener as to how very much Jesus loves us, to show the enormity of Christ's sacrifice for humanity.
The violence is extremely graphic and brutal. Some believe the brutality is unreal, too brutal and unbelievable. Others say that the graphic nature of the brutality is exactly what Jesus endured . Earlier movies of Jesus' trial and crucifixion showed a more civilized society where there was minimal violence and bloodshed, a non graphic rendition of a nail going into his hands.
The truth is much deeper than that, when bodies were hung from the crosses during the frequent executions of the period, the men suffered greatly even without nails in their hands and a piercing in their gut. Mel Gibson shows it all, not to create a horror movie, but to show what Jesus endured for all of us.
Although the movie focuses on the suffering of Jesus, it does have some flashbacks to the Sermon on the Mount, t shows flashbacks to his Sermon on the Mount where Jesus challenges his followers to love their enemies. Through his suffering he asks God to forgive, showing us that is what we should do in our lives. Critics reviews as well as audience reviews have often stated that the central message of Christ is peace, love, and how to live our lives, which is not focused on enough through the excessive gore.
Passion of the Christ is not recommended for those under the age of 14, it is a violently graphic movie, some say as close to a horror movie as one can get.
The depiction does not point fingers at any one group as being responsible for his death, Gibson's claim is that we all are to blame for his death. but if you are a Christian, you realize that Jesus chose this, he could have stopped it, but this is what he came into the world for. There are many messages one can find within the movie. Among them: That He is the Atonement for our sin; Satan is ever present and real; that we should seek to be righteous; to forgive others, to be born again; to love others as he loves us; and that He is our Savior.
