The Passion Of The Christ Reviews

relentless..but make your own mind up

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.

Distasteful, distorting, disgusting

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.

[Highly rated reviewer]

An all too human tale.

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.

All blood and no passion

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.

very graphic

This film was released with conflicting reports from different people.On one hand people were saying it made them think about the whole bible and going to church stuff(born again christian).But then there were the ones that thought it was totally blasphemous and should be shelved.I personally think i am more with the people who took something positive from this movie. It won't make me go to church more often,but it did make me ponder what jesus went through in his final 12 hours before he was crucified.I know we are just following what Mr Mel Gibson wanted but i think this was a big gamble on his side financially and credibility wise, taking on this venture,which apparently is what he had wanted to do for alot of years previously but couldn't.I think the film was made more realistic with the original dialect and harrowing and graphic beating scenes,which at times where so bad all you could manage was a peep from around a cushion. In particular the flogging scene by the two guards made me feel totally nauseous.I think anyone feeling like they are down on there luck or fed up with there life should watch this film and i bet it will make them think twice about how unlucky they are and concentrate more on what people have done in our past history to give us the opportunity to be here free today. Great film in my opinion a must see,but not for the squeamish.

Deliberately exlusive

Given that I assume Christians are meant to want to spread the word of Christ, this is a feeble effort from Gibson. His religious arrogance is very apparent - key characters are not introduced to us, because we are clearly expected to know who they are already.

Of all the important things Christ did and said (which even non-Christians can agree contained a lot of insight), it is a bizarre choice to dramatise a couple of hours of torture, blood, and death.

A great deal of time is given up to a sequence which consists of Christ carrying his cross, dropping the cross, being kicked, getting back up, dropping the cross, being kicked, getting back up, dropping the cross, etc etc ad nauseum.

It is quite clear that this film was made by Gibson, for people who already think like he does, and with an emphasis on the cruelty inflicted on Christ by other races two millennia ago, rather than on the love he preached which could still be made relevant today.

Latin is used for exactly the same reason certain churches use it in services - to cloud the ability of the masses to reach their own judgement. In this case, it clouds the potency of Pilate's words "quid est veritas?" - what is Truth?

The greatest depiction of the relationship between Christ and Pilate can be found in Bulgakov's novel 'The Master and Margarita'. Read that and ignore Gibson's passion.

Whether you believe in the Bible and its contents or not this film is both moving and disturbing. Jesus is played to perfection by James Caviezel as too are all the other characters in the film ? especially Jesus? mother ? Mary, played by Maia Morgenstern whose pain you feel every step of the way.

The film is dedicated solely to the death of Christ, and is passionate in its storyline, with little or no mention of the events leading up to his death.

It has come in for much criticism, but I personally fail to see how this is justified, based on fact we know that Jesus was ridiculed, tortured and finally crucified, the film simply depicts this in depth.

The film had my wife in tears and a lump in my throat on a few occasions, and this has been the case of many people who have seen it.

Highly recommended: though perhaps not for the faint hearted.

Supreme Sacrifice - Supreme Love

I was anxious about watching this film, and to be honest there were times during the violence that it was almost turned off. I am glad I persevered as this film is a graphical and spriritual depiction of the ultimate sacrifice that both God and Jesus made for us all. The love it demonstrates for the human race is immeasurable.

A lot of people will not grasp this true meaning, however I hope that some may wish to find out more and understand how such a sacrifice could have been made.

Truly moving and inspiring. We will never suffer like this.

Attention grabbing

Depicting, I believe, the last day of Christ, this is almost a harrowing witness account of the events leading up to the ressurection.

Gibson has done a fantastic job.

It's gruesome, pulls no punches, and shows just how barbaric those times were. The flogging scene in particular was incredibly realistic. It's not for the faint hearted. Brilliant nevertheless.

A must see for ALL.2000 years ago a man dies for the friendship he wants to have with you today. This film shows the pain and the agony that this man went through for that to happen. Was he the son of God? Is he alive today?

Watch this film and make up your mind.