This is NOT the official website of the movie The Passion of the Christ. It is not associated with the movie in any way, and the comments here are only representative of the views of this page author. The official site is http://www.thepassionofthechrist.com

The reason I put this page up is that I feel there needs to be an objective, balanced reporting and review of the movie. I saw the movie on Saturday, 28 February 2004.

First of all, let me deal with these claims of it being anti-Semitic. It is not. One can hardly call the film anti-Semitic (although Semitic peoples also include Arabs, the term is usually meant to indicate anti-Jewish) since the protagonist, the "hero" if you will, is Jewish. The most sympathetic characters are Jewish, and in fact, the most bloodthirsty, sadistic, coarsest, grossest characters, are the Roman soldiers who take glee and pleasure in tormenting, abusing, and torturing Yeshua (Jesus).

I've heard people saying it is "too literal" as a depiction of the Bible account. I really don't understand that view. The critics saying that, themselves don't believe in a "too literal" interpretation, per their own words. I don't know if they think that the Bible is just an allegory, fable, myth, or whatever. I personally do not agree with their belief that the Bible is just a made up story.

I've also heard people saying something about it being "extremely violent". I've seen movies with more blood, more sadistic scenes (e.g. "Seven" for example), and more killing.
I think the problem they have is that Mr. Gibson depicted a realistic violent scene, shown for the horror violence is, and what flogging does to a person, especially with a "cat-o-nine tails".

He didn't stylize or make the violence romantic, because, let's face it, real violence is NOT romantic.

I've also heard people say that Mr. Gibson has ruined his career in Hollywood, that no one will hire him as an actor. I don't know. I know that Hollywood during the 50s, under pressure in the McCarthy investigations, unfairly targeted and blackballed actors, writers, technicians. All that says to me is that those who are involved in managing Hollywood hiring, must be total cowards then and now.

I've also heard people whining that all the actors who played the Jewish people were not Jewish, or that, the man who plays Jesus the Christ, Jim Caviezel is not Semitic. In the film,
he looks Semitic enough . It's not as though Mr. Gibson cast Dolph Lundgren to play Jesus, and in fact, historically, most movies about Jesus have NOT cast a Jewish person to play Jesus.

WHY I LIKED THE MOVIE
1) It followed the biblical description found in Matthew closely in my opinion.

2) Mr. Gibson, in general, didn't play fast and loose with the dialog, and stayed fairly close
to biblical accounts of what was said.

3) I liked the way the subtitles were done, and liked the usage of Aramaic and Latin. Some people have claimed that the Roman soldiers would probably have spoken Greek...to that I say,...whatever!

4) The cinematography was very good. The lighting carried the story forward well, and in a few scenes, such as Jesus carrying the cross, there are stills that appear like the great paintings of the Renaissance.

5) I believe the story pointed out that, whether you are a Christian or not, here was a man who sacrificed his life for others. He had the courage and conviction to stare into the future and see a horrible death waiting for himself, but went ahead and became a martyr. In a time when everyone seems to be living for themselves and just looking out for number one, it is both inspiring and refreshing to see a story that is two thousand years old, that speaks to us in the 21st century.

MY RATING OF THE FILM
     I give it two thumbs up and five stars. It is a passionate view of one man's death and resurrection. I believe, that for most people, this show will cause you to reflect on your own life, on your own way of handling tough decisions, and will inspire you to bring more courage and more compassion to your daily lives, and for those who are believers, this will strengthen and rejuvenate their faith.

I thank Mel Gibson for making this film, and for his courage in bringing this film to the screen, and for having the courage of his convictions in spite of threats from the cigar chomping moguls in Hollywood.

God Bless you Mel !