The love and single-minded passion of Jesus Christ shines through
Director
- Mel Gibson
Movie Review
ONLINE EDITOR’S NOTE: AN ADDENDUM AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS REVIEW PROVIDES INFORMATION ABOUT THE EDITS MADE FOR THE RELEASE OF THE PASSION RECUT.
This is a story of unparalleled substance told with unprecedented style. Perhaps the most powerful-and https://hookupdate.net/escort-index/fort-lauderdale/ violent-depiction of Christ’s final earthly hours ever put to film, The Passion of the Christ begins with Jesus’ tormented prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and ends with a glimpse of his resurrection. It marches unflinchingly through the suffering and death Christ endured on our behalf, using flashbacks to relieve tension and offer insight into his humanity.
Positive Elements
By its very nature, the “good news” of the gospel is the most positive message any filmmaker could ever articulate. Director Mel Gibson does it well. Reverent highlights from his life provide added context to his fulfillment of the Isaiah 53 prophecy at Calvary. For example, as an arrested Jesus watches a carpenter plying his trade, he recalls carefree days of crafting furniture in Nazareth (this includes a sweet, playful scene with Mary). Peter denies him, and we jump to the moment when the bombastic apostle vows his allegiance unto death. A glimpse of Pilate’s water bowl launches a memory of the Lord washing his disciples’ feet in the upper room. As nails penetrate Christ’s palms, the film cuts back to Jesus saying, “I am the way, the truth and the life.”
Even more stirring is the stark transition from Jesus’ scorned march down the Via Dolorosa to images from his triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Then there’s the flash from the removal of Christ’s robe at Golgotha to the unwrapping of the bread during the Last Supper (“This is my body, which is broken for you”). All examples of powerful symbolism made emotionally poignant by their cinematic treatment.
The filmmakers spend a lot of time with the man commanded to carry Christ’s cross when the weight becomes too much for him. Much of that interaction is speculation, but the prevailing point is that those who carry his cross are forever changed. Mary, John and Mary Magdalene remain by the Lord’s side until the bitter end, an amazing display of loyalty.
The movie’s prevailing tone is one of respect and adoration for Jesus Christ. It’s not excessively preachy, yet it never downplays the eternal significance of his identity and actions.
Spiritual Elements
Everything about Jesus is spiritual, and the depiction of his suffering, death and resurrection is inherently a spiritual one. “I’m not a preacher, and I’m not a pastor,” Gibson said. “But I really feel my career was leading me to make this [movie]. The Holy Ghost was working through me on this film, and I was just directing traffic. I hope the film has the power to evangelize. … Everyone who worked on this movie was changed. There were agnostics and Muslims on set converting to Christianity.”
Additionally, several scenes deal directly with supernatural issues. Judas’ spiritual/psychological struggle finds him plagued by demons disguised as children (one draws blood when he bites Judas’ arm). Satan is very effectively portrayed as an androgynous, cloaked figure who drifts through certain scenes in an attempt to convince Christ to surrender his mission (during his anxiety in Gethsemane, his whipping, etc.). The Devil also looks on as Judas slowly succumbs to the temptation of suicide. At one point the creepy presence holds an ugly “baby.” Later, as if from the pit of hell, it screams when Jesus dies. A flashback overhears Jesus preparing his disciples for the arrival of the Holy Spirit, as well as a persecutor. It’s implied that the Spirit makes an appearance in the form of a dove just before Jesus’ torture begins.
