The latest major motion picture about Jesus has yet to make its first appearance in theaters, but it has already been the target of many negative comments and a lot of controversy. Its name is "The Passion of Christ" (changed from its original title "The Passion" due to a conflict with another film), and it recounts the story of the last 12 hours of His life.
Behind the project is a very high-profile personality: Mel Gibson, Oscar winning actor and director, better known for his action films. Gibson "wore many hats" in the making of "The Passion of Christ." He directed, was co-writer, co-producer, and also a major financial backer (putting up 80 per cent of the $25 million production costs.) In addition, the film will be distributed through Gibson’s Icon Entertainment company in conjunction with New Market Films.
This movie is based on the four Gospels and diaries of St. Ann Catherine Emmerich collected in her 19th century book "Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ." It’s now scheduled to be premiered on February 25, 2004 (Ash Wednesday). Even though it has not yet been seen by theater audiences, criticism of "The Passion of Christ" has been plentiful, originating in several quarters:
(1) Jewish groups find too much weight is placed on their role in Jesus’ crucifixion, portraying them as being largely responsible for His death, when it was the Roman rulers of Judea who carried out the execution.
(2) A statement from the Anti-Defamation League stated the film will "fuel hatred, bigotry, and anti-Semitism if it is released in its present form." After condemning it, they reported receiving hate mail.
(3) Some Catholics object to the fact that Gibson did not follow the "modern approach" to the Bible and fear it will "damage relations with the Jewish community." Without actually viewing the film, a group of bishops accused Gibson of being anti-Semitic. Their criticism was based on a stolen, "unofficial" copy of the script; they later apologized and returned it.
It should be noted that a Vatican statement has praised "The Passion of Christ." In fact, a Vatican Ecumenical Council (1962-1965) issued a series of decrees rejecting charges that Jews must bear responsibility for Jesus’ death.
Christian theology teaches Jesus’ death takes away the sins of the world, and each person must recognize his or her sins were responsible. Through the centuries, many Christians have tried to ignore that aspect, transferring blame to the Jewish people instead.
Catholics and other Christian groups, along with biblical scholars, have defended Gibson’s film. They say it sticks closely to accounts of the crucifixion found in the New Testament.
Filming took place from November, 2002 to February, 2003 in Matera and Craco in southern Italy and finished at the studios of Cinecetta in Rome. Matera was chosen because "Certain sections of the city are 2,000 years old, and the architecture, the blocks of stone, the surrounding areas and rocky terrain added a vista and a backdrop ... we (used) to create ... our ... sets of Jerusalem. We relied heavily on the look that was there."
The movie was shot entirely in original languages, Latin and Aramic, and will reportedly be shown without subtitles. Asked about that, Gibson said: " ... (Hearing) the words spoken as they were spoken at the time ... can kind of stun you ... It gets . . . clarity ... through the acting ... the nuances of the characters ... movement of the camera ... (and) timing. All of a sudden it (becomes) very, very clear.. . "
Actor James Caviezel portrays Jesus. During filming near Rome, he and assistant director Jan Michelini were struck by lightning. A witness said, "I’m about a hundred feet away when I glance over and see smoke coming out of Caviezel’s ears." In fact, Michelini had been struck once before in Matera, receiving light burns to several fingers after his umbrella was hit.
In early December of this year, the Reverend Billy Graham was invited to watch a special showing of "The Passion of Christ" in Charlotte, N. C., and later he spoke to Gibson about the "decade-long spiritual journey that led to the film." Graham commented, "I was moved to tears ... No one who views this film’s compelling imagery will ever be the same ..."