This film will provide exactly that which you seek from it.  I'm not a very religious person at all, so all I really sought was a good film... and I got one.

First, let me say that I think it is a shame that this great film will be used with an agenda in mind by both proponents and opponents of its content and message. Many of the extreme right-wing Christian conservatives will use the film to fuel their fires, and some in the Jewish community will use the film to bolster their fears of worldwide anti-Semitism. Both groups will be equally misguided in their rhetoric and motivations.

Can't we all just remember that this is a film... only a film? 'The Passion of the Christ' is Mel Gibson's version of his faith-based historical beliefs, and it doesn't necessarily need to be any more than that. Most of us fall somewhere between the two extremes and, hopefully, in that group, this film will find a reasonable and open minded audience that can appreciate this work as art.

However, it is inevitable that people's beliefs will guide their opinion of this film. Most of those that believe this is all historical fact will love 'The Passion'. Most of those that think this is either folly or a twisting of truth will not. Perhaps, only those who can remove themselves from religious bias will be able to look at 'The Passion of the Christ' with an honest eye toward artistic and cinematic appreciation. Granted, that is a tremendously hard thing to do. But if you can muster that state of mind, I think you will discover a truly masterful film about a factual/fictional/symbolic man (depending on your point of view) who sacrifices himself, in the most unselfish of ways, for the benefit of mankind. In that sacrifice lies a poetic profundity that serves as a magnificent story, a magnificent lesson, and a magnificent film... but just a film.

In the spirit of honesty, I must declare that, although I believe in a higher power, I am not a particularly religious person. I don't go to Church, I very rarely pray, and I definitely don't feel the need to impose my views on anyone else. But because of the nature of Mel Gibson's work, I feel it is necessary for readers of this review to be aware of my liberal stance on religion. I believe in the ideal of 'To each his own'.

With all that being said, I think it is important to note that, among reasonably open-minded people, your beliefs shouldn't really affect your admiration, or lack thereof, toward this motion picture.

I believe a great film should possess most, if not all, of the following -- Originality, Focus, Passion, Heart, Intelligence & Wit... all framed by magnificent acting, sure-handed & inspired directing, gorgeous cinematography and a beautiful score. Pulitzer Prize winning film critic, Roger Ebert, claims that "a film should not be judged on what it is about, but how it is about it."

With those guidelines in mind, I believe that Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of the Christ' is a masterful visualization of his beliefs regarding the central moments of the Christian/Catholic religion. Those final twelve hours of Jesus' life are vividly realized in ways that many people, even devout believers, have never fully contemplated. Most Christian images have been sanitized for mass marketing over the centuries. To have the gruesome details brought back into light will shock many of those who are used to the 'greeting card Jesus' that they are so accustomed to.

The film follows Jesus' final hours as he is betrayed by Judas, arrested and tried on charges of blasphemy, brutally punished and ridiculed, sentenced to be crucified by a tormented and conflicted Pontius Pilate, and marched up to Golgotha to be nailed to the cross which he is forced to carry. It is an exhausting marathon of suffering that will move many to tears. Throughout his ordeal, Jesus is watched by an androgynous and seductively creepy apparition of Satan, who seems to revel in his pain.

This film is one of the most graphically violent you will ever see... and it needs to be. If you believe the gospel to be literal truth, as does Gibson, there needs to be an honest depiction of the horrific events that led up to and were manifested in the crucifixion. To recount those moments in this review would diminish their impact. The beating, whipping and scourging of Jesus is gut-wrenching stuff to watch. Mel Gibson's lens never turns away. He wants you to see all the suffering. He wants to convey, in the clearest possible sense, the vicious nature of this moment and the depths of man's inhumanity to man. This film offers no relief until the final fifteen seconds, when we see the first few moments of Jesus' resurrection.

This is an unrelenting film that challenges the viewer. How often can you say that about a film? It transcends the medium. It is a film that can make 'entertainment cinema' seem so astonishingly inconsequential. Its power can make so many other things in our daily lives seem inconsequential. This film demands a certain reverence, even from non-believers or casual believers like me. I found it odd that, during my screening, a number of people brought in tubs of popcorn and giant red slurpee drinks to feast on. This just doesn't feel like that kind of film to me. I think it deserves a little more respect than regular movies... a little more humility.

As for the claims of anti-Semitism, I think they are unwarranted. However, I also understand that if one approaches this film looking for anti-Semitism, you can probably find it. Biases will determine what you see or don't see in a film like this. I agree with Roger Ebert who wrote in his review, "My own feeling is that Gibson's film is not anti-Semitic, but reflects a range of behavior on the part of its Jewish characters, on balance favorably. The Jews who seem to desire Jesus' death are in the priesthood, and have political as well as theological reasons for acting. The other Jews seen in the film are viewed positively; Simon helps Jesus to carry the cross, Veronica brings a cloth to wipe his face, Jews in the crowd cry out against his torture."

I think "The Passion of the Christ" is a masterpiece. It is a great film about a profound subject, shown with astonishing clarity and unnerving conviction by Mel Gibson, who has now fashioned two of the greatest films that I have ever seen, the other being 'Braveheart'. It took a lot of guts to decide to make this film, even more to finance it himself. There are very few in Hollywood who will ever display the courage to venture beyond the next comfortable project. But Gibson wrapped himself in that conviction and surrounded himself with a tremendous cast who were willing to take this precarious journey with him. Jim Caviezel assumes the impossible task of portraying Jesus, but he does it with steely determination and unflinching emotional control. Maia Morgenstern is heartbreaking as Mary. When her sad eyes watch, as her son endures the inhumanity, we feel her pain viscerally. When she cries, we cry. Monica Bellucci is equally devastating to watch as Mary Magdalene, who remains loyal to Jesus to the end. And the supporting cast are all tremendously dedicated to delivering Gibson's vision to the silver screen.

This film is a collective effort of brave artists who risked more than we will fully appreciate. I commend all involved in the making of this transcendent motion picture. It is a profound work of art that deserves more than the petty controversies it will stir up. However, as time passes, both ends of the extremist argument will reflect as utter inconsequentiality when mirrored with Gibson's masterwork. Some films exist on a plane aside from all the other clutter. 'The Passion of the Christ' is assuredly one of those films.

Great art always demands and creates discussion!

© Written by TC Candler

How We Rated This Film TC Candler - A Richard Propes - A- Jacob Hall - A-

Richard Propes' Comment

"The Passion of the Christ" is a film that will command your attention unlike the vast majority of films that I have seen in my life. I have read reviews that have ranged between "masterful visualization" and "sadomasochistic pornography." Having read all the reviews and all the feature pieces on this film, and having seen several Mel Gibson interviews regarding this film nothing, simply nothing, prepared me for the film I was about to see.

One would easily look at the basics about me and assume that this is a film I would naturally embrace as a member of the religious community. I am a youth minister, and consider myself strong in my spiritual beliefs. That said, I am a definite liberal with non-traditional spiritual beliefs that allowed me to approach this film for what it is...a film...one man's interpretation of the last 12 hours of Christ's life.

I find myself leaning towards the idea of this film being a masterful visualization of Mel Gibson's religious beliefs. The cinematography was often stunning and beautiful. I was, however, troubled at times by the lingering shots on the wounds of Christ and during the various scenes of torture and physical abuse. It was the same camera technique that, at times, bothered me during Spike Lee's film "25th Hour," another film I love. By lingering so long on certain shots, there were times that I found myself detached from the violence. Why do I not consider this intensely graphic violence as having crossed the line? Quite simply, I believe the film is so faithful to Gibson's religious convictions that this graphic violence is portrayed as truth. If one is able to accept that this mind-boggling level of violence did, indeed, occur...then the graphic portrayal of the violence becomes tolerable. For a Christian who has searched for years for a tangible connection to the crucifixion, this film offers the tangible connection. It offers a complete sensory experience...admittedly, one that borders on excessive...borders on cartoonish at times...truly assaulting the senses relentlessly throughout the film.

The performances by the leads are uniformly exceptional, most notably James Caviezel as Jesus, Maia Morganstern as Mary and Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdalene. I'll admit that I craved a bit of balance with the character of Christ...you know, I wanted to see more of the teacher, the healer, the Messiah. I wanted to see the build-up to the reasons why he was turned in. Of course, theologically, I know them...but, I couldn't help feeling that more of these scenes would have created a stronger connection to the intense cruelty and suffering.

Morganstern was simply stunning, and offered my favorite performance in the film. Her body language, words, eyes all conveyed the intense pain and grief of a mother who accepted the destiny of her son but also grieved her little boy. It is a beautiful portrayal.

I accept Gibson's decision to not give us balance...clearly, he was intensely focused on giving us the experience of Christ's last 12 hours. These scenes are gut-wrenching and incredibly graphic. On a couple occasions, I found myself justifying a possible NC-17 rating. Certainly, this film is a strong R rating.

An additional concern I had was that, during a couple scenes, I found myself not believing the wounds that covered Caviezel's body. My companion, a nurse, disagrees with me on this point...but, when I looked at Christ's body...I felt like I was looking at make-up and not the results of torture. It was enough of a distraction that I noticed it.

I have to offer a concession to those critics who have been so offended by the graphic portrayals of violence and torture in this film. It is, in fact, incredibly offensive. I cannot deny this fact. This film, however, enters my Top 100 because it is a beautifully acted, beautifully filmed and honestly written film that has the courage to speak the director's truth. Gibson could have easily given us a more commercial, sugar-coated version of the last 12 hours of Christ...instead, he offered his true beliefs...controversial, offensive and brutal...and in doing so created a powerful, authentic and human drama.

Jacob Hall's Comment

Most movies strive to entertain. Many of them fail. Many films do entertain, but on a superficial level. Some movies are not in the least bit entertaining, but are unforgettable. Films about subjects that you can't laugh at, or enjoy watching, but will leave you in awe. The short list of such films include "Schindler's List," "Saving Private Ryan," and now, "The Passion of the Christ."

"The Passion" tells of the last 12 hours of Jesus of Nazareth's life. How he is betrayed by Judas. How he is brought before several judges. How he is deemed a criminal for claiming to be the Messiah. His brutal torture. And then, his agonizing death on the cross. During this, we witness other moments in Jesus' life, happier moments, important moments. His childhood, the Sermon on the Mound, his rescue of Mary Magdelene, and The Last Supper. These stories are put together in a film that is not only remarkable, but amazing. Whether you believe in a higher power or not, you cannot deny the power of "The Passion of the Christ."

Although filmed on a rather small budget (directly from Gibson's pocket), the film looks incredible a supreme attention to detail and accuracy is astounding. Crucifixon, torture, clothing, and buildings were painstakingly researched for the film, and believe me, it shows. The actors even speak in dead languages to achieve complete accuracy. Following the subtitles isn't difficult. Only the essential dialogue is translated. The rest of the film is told through images, raw power, and the tears of the audience. There are very few films that have reduced me to tears. This is one of them.

Jesus is played wonderfully by Jim Caviezel. He portrays Jesus' pain and suffering as real as possible, and he keeps it all dignified. I don't think anyone could have done the role better. His performance is aided by beautiful cinematography, and editing that deserves and Oscar. There are scenes of torture that are brutal and difficult to sit through. As I said above, everything is painstakingly real. Jesus is not just whipped, but scourged. Before he even picks up the cross, most of his skin is gone, and the ground has run red with blood. It's shocking and mesmerizing. "The Passion of the Christ" is easily the most violent and brutal film I have ever seen. Despite that, no on left the theater. No one stood up. No one turned away. Many watched through their hands, but they watched. A large percentage of the world belongs to a religion that is based around Jesus. We have to witness what he actually did for us. We HAVE to.

Most of what occurs is taken directly from the Bible and historical research, but Gibson has contributed some parts that have benefited the entire movie. Satan makes several appearances. Shown as an asexual being with a soft voice and a cold stare, Satan is hovering around, taunting Jesus. The Bible tells of Satan doing this early in the New Testament, so it's only natural that it is included here. Gibson's representation of pure evil is spellbinding.

Of course, many have very different opinions on the film. One critic described it as a “sado-masochistic mess.” These complaints come from people who are expecting a gentle, loving film. As you have learned above, this is not a tame movie. It’s not a movie directly about love, but about suffering because of love. Even if you don’t believe in what Gibson has to say, it’s easy to note how well made and passionate the entire film is.

I did not have fun watching this film, but I will buy it on DVD the moment it comes out. It's a grand achievement in filmmaking. Sometimes we all must examine what we believe in. Gibson has done that through film.