The Passion

[MzrtMusic]

Has anyone else seen this movie? I realize that it has been released in much of the world, but Americans here should be able to comment... I'll save my opinion on this for now, but since it's so much in the news, it seemed an appropriate topic.

Love,

Sarah

[ninja600rs]

I thought the movie was great.  It was graphic, but I dont think that it is anywhere near as violent as some reviewers make it out to be.  Also, the whole movie is subtitled but the subtitles are easy to follow along with.  I would definatly recommend this movie to anyone considering seeing it. - Jon

[Hazim]

I saw the movie in cinema last night. I think it is the hardest movie I ever saw in my entire life. It is full of horror and violence. The whole cinema cried. I could not speak for two hours after that, could not sleep the whole night. I recomend those who have weak nerves and who love Jesus not to watch the film - it is too much. On the other hand, it is good to see and know what  has he been through. But it is so hard. I mean, even if you looked at the film as just any story, you would burst in tears, because it is too painfull. And then, when you think of the fact that it was Jesus of Nazareth, who only loved... you start wondering, why?

Human stupidity has no limits.

[ninja600rs]

Is the "Human stupidity has no limits" line supposed to apply to the garbled writing of the paragraph above it?

[bernhard]

Is the "Human stupidity has no limits" line supposed to apply to the garbled writing of the paragraph above it?

Trying to make friends?

[MzrtMusic]

This is one of those movies that you don't go watch because it's fun. You don't walk out of it saying "Oh, that was a good movie, let's go see it again sometime." It is sobering. It is hard to watch. I've grown up in a Christian home, and I've known the story my whole life. Even though I knew what was coming, it was still incredibly hard to watch. In fact, there were a few times that I couldn't watch. But the message being sent here isn't one of anti-semitism. It isn't promoting violence. It is about the Son of God being willing to go through all of the torture and agony for me. And for you. He would have done it all even if there were only one person whom He would save. And the knowledge that someone who lived and died 2000 years ago did it all just for me is a bit overwhelming. But to actually see it in color with surround sound makes that even more vivid in my mind. It's not easy to talk about. Things don't always come out being perfectly coherent. But few things that stir great emotion can be talked about. If you try to explain to a non-musician how a piece of music moves you, you just get strange looks. The Passion is the same way. Because it touches the part of your soul that hides your deepest and darkest thoughts. And that is why you should go see it, even if it isn't fun.

Love,

Sarah

[liszmaninopin]

I saw the movie, and despite not being a theist, enjoyed it.  It was intense, very; but I think that the whole atmosphere created was moody, dark, and interesting, and it was indeed sobering.  I would like to see it again.

[Hazim]

This is one of those movies that you don't go watch because it's fun. You don't walk out of it saying "Oh, that was a good movie, let's go see it again sometime." It is sobering. It is hard to watch. I've grown up in a Christian home, and I've known the story my whole life. Even though I knew what was coming, it was still incredibly hard to watch. In fact, there were a few times that I couldn't watch. But the message being sent here isn't one of anti-semitism. It isn't promoting violence. It is about the Son of God being willing to go through all of the torture and agony for me. And for you. He would have done it all even if there were only one person whom He would save. And the knowledge that someone who lived and died 2000 years ago did it all just for me is a bit overwhelming. But to actually see it in color with surround sound makes that even more vivid in my mind. It's not easy to talk about.

Sarah, I totally agree with you. To be honest, I did not have much background knowledge and when I went to see the movie, I did not expect that, so I was completely unprepaired, and got completely shocked. My post was not written in a very clear language, but I really was in a state of shock.

Let me just clearify that my sentence "Human stupidity has no limits" in no way applies to anyone specifically, it is a general reaction to some things conducted by humans living on this planet. He was the most innocent man who ever lived, all he did was that he loved, he thaught, he healed ill, helped poor... and then he was crucified. That hurts, expecially in this world today which is full of violance and wars, so much that the same story is repeating. Someone who does not draw conclusions from mistakes is desperately stupid.

Also, let me clearify that I am not there to judge the today-actuality background of the movie - if it has any anti-semitism in it or not, I do not know that because I do not know enough of history. However, I think that, if the movie shows out to have anti-semitism: that would be terrible! Because, any further divisions among us are completely un-necessary.

[allchopin]

The movie was poorly done, as the whole story and idea behind it was missed (hidden behind gore and blood).  Mel was trying to draw in an audience by adding so much blood and such that he really overdid it to a point of superfluousness- saying it was horrific is truly an understatement.
I guess I radically overestimated the movie and was thus rather underwhelmed... No characters in the movie were obviously labelled, no plot was developed, and there really was no other story besides what was directly happening to Jesus.  2/5 stars.

[dj]

The movie was poorly   Mel was trying to draw in an audience by adding so much blood and such that he really overdid it to a point of superfluousness- saying it was horrific is truly an understatement.

actually, that is a historical depiction of a roman crucifixion....nothing added

[allchopin]

Yes, but my argument is that 9/10ths of the film was spent on the crucifixion while the other 1/10 was the actual story, which is not a balanced allocation of movie time.  There is much more to the story of Jesus than the lashing and the torture (which really wasn't necessary to the graphic extent they presented to get the point across).  Maybe there will be a much-improved sequel  

[Shagdac]

Many critics in our area also wrote poor reviews of this film because of the intense graphical depiction of His torment, many even stated that there was not much of a story line, or events of his life. IMO, this was not a story,....but more of a horrifically depicted documentary.  I too, feel that the "gore" was almost beyond watchable, but probably not actually as bad as it really was. And I for one, do not consider this a movie about His "life".....but about his death. And not a story at all....it was an account of the happenings that took place from his capture, the next 24 hours up to and including the crucifiction. The intent was not to tell about anyone else, or create a "storyline" or necessarily to develop any other of the characters. It was simply an account of the degree of torment (although in actuality it was probably far worse) that Jesus suffered and underwent out of love. It was suppose to be shocking. Reading in the Bible is one thing....hearing the sermon preached is another....but seeing it depicted for 2 hours in a movie theatre (I suppose they could have stretched it out to 24 hours to make it more realistic) was completely different. I believe the intent was to make one aware of just what great length Jesus went thru to give his life for our sins.....the conveying of this message was NOT covered up in blood and gore....thats what the message was...blood and gore, "look what He endured for us". Not the dialogue, not the characters, not what else was taking place,...just plain and simple brutal, bloody, non-stop torture....from capture to death.

Yes, it was hard to watch...very moving. I think Mel did an excellent job with his depiction of the event.  Sure, he could have made it easier to watch, more pleasant, but then that wouldn't have been accurate portrayal.  And as bad as it was, I'm sure nothing on screen could actually, truly and completely, show just how brutal and horrific in reality it truly was at the time it actually happened. I certainly think that most people (whether they believe or not) know why Christians believe he gave his life....to save us from our sins, because of his selfless, undying love for us....what they DON'T know is just to what EXTENT he went thru in giving his life for us.
I believe that is the message of this film....and also that it was done in the most realistic way that it could have possibly been done.  Had it been anymore realistic, it would have never hit the theatres.

Again, these are only my own opinions, and I certainly respect everyone else's. My, what a boring world this would be if we all agreed on everything!

Shag

[Legato]

I don't want to ruin the end for anyone, but I'm curious when Mel decided to conclude the movie in the story of Jesus as depicted in the gospel?  Obviously, I have not seen it yet.

A little background: I was raised Catholic and still go to church, although not regularly.  I don't really consider myself Catholic because I have difficulty reconciling all my beliefs with those of the church.  I hear so many people call themselves Catholic and then say they don't go to confession before receiving Eucharist or they have premarital sex or they believe in the death penalty or they are pro-life, etc.  Then I don't think you are really Catholic.  You may call yourself Catholic, but you are mistaken.

Anyway, back to my original question.  Does the movie touch on the resurrection at all?  I could see this as being problematic for Mel because the gospel accounts of Jesus rising from the dead are sketchy at best (whether intentional on the part of the Matthew, Mark, Luke and John or not).  Basically, according to my memory of the gospel, they show up to the tomb the next day and he is gone.  There is supposedly an eye witness account of Jesus walking around, but even priests I talked to agree, neither of these is proof of his rising.

So what happened to Jesus?  He rises from the dead and then where did he go?  Where did his body go?  It’s always puzzled me…

Rob

[allchopin]

I believe the intent was to make one aware of just what great length Jesus went thru to give his life for our sins...."look what He endured for us".

I really don't understand this when people say that Jesus died for us because he was such a martyr.  He didn't have a choice!  He was held captive by people who wanted him killed, and he had no choice in the matter whether he was really going to live.  So that statement is erroneous.
And even so, who asked Jesus to die for my sins?  I never had a say-so in this matter- textbook case of annihilation without representation.  

[schnabels_grandson]

I really don't understand this when people say that Jesus died for us because he was such a martyr.  He didn't have a choice!  He was held captive by people who wanted him killed, and he had no choice in the matter whether he was really going to live.  So that statement is erroneous.
And even so, who asked Jesus to die for my sins?  I never had a say-so in this matter- textbook case of annihilation without representation.    

Matthew 26:53: "Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?"
Jesus said this when one of his disciples sliced the ear off one of the crowd that was arresting him.  Jesus could have called some angels down to wipe out his enemies, or he could have taken everything back and gone on his merry way.  The point is that he chose to die, knowing what his death would mean.  

[Legato]

And even so, who asked Jesus to die for my sins?  I never had a say-so in this matter- textbook case of annihilation without representation.  

LMAO,
Rob

[janice]

"And even so, who asked Jesus to die for my sins?  I never had a say-so in this matter"--allchopin

(i'm sorry, but i couldn't figure out how i quote somebody, so i did it wrong, but at least you get the idea!  lol)

True, you didn't ask Jesus to die for your sins, but you might be glad after you read this--Romans 6:23--"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

From the beginning, God, being a holy God, could not allow even the slightest sin in his presence.  He set a standard, and we have fallen short of that standard.  (You've heard it said that "nobody's perfect".  That's true!) Therefore, we (humans) are separated from God forever.  But God loves us and wants to be with us forever.  So He became a man, in the person of Jesus Christ, and died a most brutal death.  So the God who SET THE STANDARD (sinlessness) is the SAME God who PAID THE PRICE.  He did this because He loved us and didn't want to be separated from us forever.  Now, go back and read that verse again.  GIFTS need to be RECEIVED, they are not crammed down our throats!  Jesus brought us that gift of salvation.  All we need is to tell God that we want to receive it.  Then, we need to follow Him and serve Him with our lives out of gratitude.  Its not about joining any particular church, baptism, communion or eucharist, confession, etc.  It's all about the person of Jesus Christ.  What do we do about his death and resurrection?  Do we choose to ignore it, or do we receive the gift?

[allchopin]

Shoof... beats me.

[janice]

Uh, that was meant to be a question that we must ask OURSELVES after we see such a powerful movie.  I challenge you to see this movie with an OPEN HEART.

[classicarts]

i havn't seem it but i think they should of beat the crap out of jesus even more so.  what what i heard it was pretty mild beating.  it was a child's play.