The Passion Of The Christ

relentless..but make your own mind up

ronc from Southport , 07/11/2004

I admit I watched this simply because of all the hype. It is the only film shot in Latin that I've ever watched (it has sub-titles, if you select them: I did!).

For me, the level of violence was so relentless that eventually I just became rather numbed by it. Combine this with the fact that everybody, of course, knows how it ends ( a bit of a challenge for any film ,when you think about it) and you should be left with an empty experience. I wasn't however. It is beautifully shot, and it has a kind of morbid fascination attached to it. I suspect that anyone religious would find it either very moving or very loathsome. It didn't stir up such strong emotions in me, but I did get all the way to the end (it is actually quite well paced) so it had enough impact for me to keep watching to see how the next part of the story was going to be treated.

In the Press it was reported that jews in the USA were outraged by this film, because it portrayed them as basically evil: however I must say that, to my mind, the main villains in the film were portrayed more as politicians, or at least figures of authority in their society, rather than 'jews' - it is clear in the film that Jesus was a jew, and these were authority figures within his society that were insisting on his crucifixion.

I was puzzled by the film's treatment of the Romans, at first: Pilate (and especially his wife) were portrayed as compassionate victims, almost, of politics - whilst the soldiers were nothing less than bestial. Eventually I decided it was a plausible line to take.

If you have got this far, then you are probably going to select the movie, to make your own mind up. I think, on balance, that is the right thing to do.

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Distasteful, distorting, disgusting

Aman1 from Middlesex , 10/08/2004

Whatever your religious stance, it is hard to deny how brilliant and powerful the story of Christ's crucifixion is. Therefore despite the cloud of controversy surrounding the film, I was excited to see Gibson's take on the story.

I walked out of the movie with a slight distaste in my mouth, and a profound sense of disappointment. In many ways, the movie's was morality was far too simple. For example, the Jews are condemned as simple antagonists, when the situation was far more complex (It doesn't need a historian to work that out).

The violence of the movie is almost sadomasochistic in nature. Although some may argue this works to show just how much Christ suffered, I feel it gives a film a far too unbalanced take on Christ and his life. The interludes into his past always comes as relief, and are always far too brief.

The film, and this story's pivotal moment is the crucifixion itself, and this is the biggest letdown of the film. Both emotively, and as a symbolic device, it fails completely in the movie. The problem is that we have been shown so much violence, the viewer becomes almost numb to any violence after Jesus begins carrying the crucifix.

I had recently read a famous Old English poem called The Dream Of The Rood, and must say it moved me far, far more than anything in this film did. Both politically, and as a movie, this film fails miserably.

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An all too human tale.

Northernsky from Halifax [Highly rated reviewer] , 08/10/2004

Unless you delight in the in the suffering of others it’s hard to enjoy this film, as you would most movies, in a conventional sense. It is undeniably compelling though, and at times quite moving. You’d have to have a jagged piece of flint instead of a beating heart not to find this powerfully impelling.

The controversy surrounding this baffles me. I cannot understand the accusations of anti Semitism and although it is portraying scenes of excruciating violence in trying to remain true to the story of the last 18 hours of Jesus it doesn’t have any choice but to show the miserable pain and torture inflicted upon him. Though Gibson, who’s past record for historical accuracy is risible does linger rather too lovingly on the suffering at times. This lends the film a gruelling element so that when the crucifixion finally takes place it’s almost a relief it’s all over. The flashbacks are effective devices for showcasing the powerful personality behind the gore and the one of Mary running to Jesus as a child intercut with her comforting him lying scourged and beaten is supremely affecting.

Put aside the religious politics and consider what this man went through in order to validate his beliefs as he saw them and this is an unusually powerful piece of cinema. Very well acted and lent an air of authenticity via the use of Aramaic and Latin this is an all too human tale of a remarkable human beings last hours on Earth.

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All blood and no passion

Sam from Midlands, UK , 02/01/2005

Like marmite, people seem to either love or hate this film; I didn't have strong feelings about it either way, although to dismiss this film simply because it has subtitles as some reviewers have done is ludicrous.. There are good and points to it, it is very well shot, and it certainly does have an impact. Very violent, so only watch if you think you can take it. The trouble with all the suffering is that there isn't really a plot to go with it and the long walk with Jesus carrying the cross is frankly boring. It would have been good to see a bit more of wht led up to Jesus' betrayal. Despite being called the Passion of Christ there is very little emotion of any kind besides pain shown which prevents the film engaging the viewer further. Although equally violent, the final few scenes on the cross are among the best. Again, very well filmed, although quite why a camp Satan who seems to have escaped from the Seventh Seal keeps appearing is never quite clear, although a bit of mystery doesn't do any harm.

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Bloody portrayal of the crucifiction

CubbyPatient from Leeds , 13/03/2005

I sort of expected a religious experience following the hype that went with this film. I was moved, but not to go to church. The sincerity of the intention comes through but I found the preoccupation with suffering under pilate rather over the top. Thankfully, the script sticks to scripture and does not re-write history (unlike braveheart, for example) and some issues excellently handled (such as pilate's decision making). Moving and well told. Well acted and filmed. Stays with you. Strongly recommended, but be clear on what you want from it.

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just gore

A customer from Sussex, England , 03/07/2006

I wanted to join the debate, so I hired this film. After 30mins of seeing someone being brutally beaten I turned off. What on earth was Mel setting out to do? Make an art house snuff movie?

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