The Passion of the Christ
Find a Conversation
| Thu, 02-26-2004 - 12:58am |
I knew it would be opening big, but I was surprised to find out this morning that one of the local 20-plexes was showing it to sold out crowds on every screen from 6:30 this morning to around 11:00 when their usual lineup started and The Passion only continued on a few screens.
I've been reading incredibly moving reactions to it like this one in National Review--
"THE PASSION IN HARLEM
I just got out of a screening at the Magic Johnson Theatres up at 123rd and Frederick Douglass in Harlem. The theatre was packed, with an audience that was about 85 percent black, and included many seniors (of course: daytime). The response to the film was just about universal: Loud applause at the end, and vocal endorsements of the movie as we exited. One sweet elderly lady, I’d say about 80 years old, was shaking her head on the way out, saying: “If you read the Bible, that’s exactly what happened.†Another woman, in her 30s, was brushing away tears. “It’s not the movie,†she said,†it’s the reality of the thing.†During the screening, the man I set next to—a guy in his 20s, tall, strong, and vigorous-looking, nobody’s wimp—gasped at some of the cruelties inflicted on Jesus. (When Jesus’ cross is turned over on its face so He can be nailed to it more securely, this man blurted out, “Oh, s***, that’s too much.â€) Before the movie started, there was a little film in which Magic Johnson explained the rules for his theatres: “No talking. . . . No hats or colors . . . . If you have a problem on the street, don’t bring it inside.†I couldn’t help thinking: There is a problem on the street, every street, and this movie is about the solution."
I wanted to see it this weekend, but now the local news is reporting that virtually every showing in Dallas through the weekend is already sold out, so now I have to wait til next Saturday.

Pages
I have been a believer for 24 years and it hit me so hard that I was wailing during the movie. You will grieve for Him and it will be hard but remember my new sister in Christ that there will be so much joy after you work through your emotions. There will be joy that He loves us so much that He willing went through the pain, the death, His Father forsaking Him, descending to Hell to retrieve the keys to death and to rise aagin and complete our salvation.
It is by His wounds we are healed.
It is by His wounds we are saved.
It is by His wounds that we are whole
Mel Gibson had to have been inspired. I totally recommend it
I have seen the movie!1 It was a great movie done by Mel Gibson. Yes, it is violent but it was make to show what a great sacrifice Jesus gave us. I was kinda of expose to the christianity world when i was 3 yrs old, and i guess i kinda of took Jesus dying on the cross 4 granted , when i accepted him as my Lord and Saviour when i was 10 yrs old. After seeing that movie "The Passion of Christ" , it really make me realized how much Jesus suffered because of his LOVE for us. I encouraged every one to see it. It has make me realized just how much i really took Jesus's death for granted , and now i can't pray enough and thanking the Lord Jesus for his love and sacrifice for my sins, because no matter how much thank you we give or thank the Lord ,that will not be enough for all what Jesus suffered. Don't U all agree.
Kitty
As far as the excessive violence, I rarely if ever – and I did not see “Kill Bill’ – see violent or R-rated films, there must be a good reason for me to see such a film, the violence and R-rating must be necessary for the integrity of the film. This is what I thought I would see in ‘The Passion’, but instead, the violence, in my opinion was excessive. However, I recommended it to Wrhen with a strong caution about the violence. There were parts of the film that I found creative and powerful, but sadly my first memory of it is excessive violence.
Nowhere did I say that one had to be an altar boy to understand what was being depicted. What I said was, “If you were an altar boy in the Roman Catholic tradition, as Rodger Ebert was, you would certainly see and feel something that others – myself included – did not.” This statement refers to the way the images on the screen affect a person, and my point was that who you are and what your background is will determine how the images affect you, not whether the story of sacrifice and redemption is personally important to you. Many, who feel exactly as you do, will be horrified by this excessively violent portrayal and may not be able to sit through the entire film.
If you reread what I wrote, you’ll see that I gave two instances where self-funding was usual – “many first time filmmakers or those who can’t get studio financing, finance their own films”. Obviously, Gibson was the second instance. My point was that self-financing is not unusual. My characterizing him as a smart businessman was not a condemnation. He knew that if a controversy continued, public interest would convince theatre chains that they would have an audience and they would then show it in their theatres (which wasn’t the case six months ago – it was to have had a very limited showing) and he was right. I see no reason why he shouldn’t get his investment back and make a profit too.
We will have to disagree on what level of torture and extreme violence is actually described in the Old and New Testaments. If you feel a renewed faith because of this film, then obviously it was a successful experience for you and I do wish you well.
C
Kitty :)
C
C
I am glad u saw it . When u said that "It will make me a better Christian, and everyone should see it!" , i totally agree with u. It has definitely make me a better christian and has bought me closer to God. Well said c6745. Like c6745 said Every 1 should see it.
Kitty [-o<
But why does Safire base his article on THIS movie anyway? Why not start with "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" which opened several weeks ago or some other film aimed at children? Why the sudden outrage over THIS film? MOST sensible people in this country have been complaining about violence and sex in movies for years without drawing much attention from film critics, commentators or journalists. Why now?
If one has no interest in the subject matter or is personally offended by Mel Gibson, then simply stay home, don't see the movie, as I chose to do when "The Last Temptation of Christ" was released several years ago. But using the violence as a main protest about this film is a little weak, IMO. Doesn't fly when so many other, more gratuitously violent films, are released and praised in our society every other day.
Edited 3/2/2004 2:39:49 AM ET by katmandoo2001
Pages