Without getting into anything political or religious, I think it's interesting to see the scholars coming out of the woodwork regarding this film's realism.
For example, I've heard from a few sources that Latin was NOT spoken by anyone but the religious elite at the time. Rather, Greek was the predominant language spoken, along with Aramaic.
Also, no one would have been able to carry an actual full-size cross such as the Romans used. The Romans being very efficient, they left the the vertical pieces in the ground and had the victims carry the crossbeams.
There was also no messing around with loincloths - no clothing was allowed, regardless of age or sex.
I attend a conservative, non-denominational church. It was really extraordinarily ironic that this past Sunday, each attendee received inside his or her bulletin a full-color brochure promoting this movie. I say ironic because, 1) I don't remember my church ever recommending any movie to the congregation before, but more importantly than that, 2) the "Passion" is an R-rated movie!!! 8O
I don't think it's weird for the movie to be R rated, it's not like it got that rating for sex or language. Think about it--the BIBLE is pretty R rated isn't it? Full of sex and violence and war and other things not-so-good for children. The real bible wasn't meant for children, it was meant for adults to study, and find ways to teach it to their children so that they'd understand. Don't think that there are a lot of Jews here, but I am so that's where my example comes from: During the passover seder(dinner ceremony where the story of Moses leading the Jews out of Egypt is told), there is a part where there are 4 questions asked by the youngest child present who is able to. Most people have heard of that part The next passage though is about how to ANSWER the question to different dispositions of children--The wise son, the simple son, the wicked son, and the son who does not know how to ask a question. Only the wise son does it advise to tell the whole story with all the details; the others are given simpler versions to suit their understanding.
So anyway considering the movie is about the life and death of Christ, and the death part was pretty cruel and bloody(I'll tell you when I learned the cause of death for people who are crucified, I was pretty sickened) and not good for kids to see--doesn't mean it's not good for adults to see. Same with say, Schindler's List. Not pretty, but real, and important to watch.
I don't think I'll see it, but the conversations I've heard being sparked by this film are really interesting!
For example, I've heard from a few sources that Latin was NOT spoken by anyone but the religious elite at the time. Rather, Greek was the predominant language spoken, along with Aramaic.
I think the entire movie is in Aramaic and Greek.
It also has subtitles for the one or two people in the audience who don't speak it. :lol:
This is a movie. Not a documentary. Even movie maker focused on realism, being 100% historical correct still is not the primary goal.
I totally understand that - my comment was simply based on my hope that the movie will make others want to learn more about the period of history portrayed in the movie.
As an artist myself, I respect that Mel Gibson is simply telling a story in the way that he thinks is best, based on the goals he has in mind.
Of course, he simply may not have known that he was portraying some things incorrectly, but as far as I'm concerned, those things are just interesting factoids - nothing more. :mrgreen:
My wife is dragging me off to see it Saturday, largely because her favorite conservative talk show host said something to the effect of, "only commies and liberals won't wait in line to see this movie! They don't want you to see it. Defend America." etc., etc.
I love Mel Gibson movies, especially Braveheart, and I'm looking forward to seeing this film too. But I sure do get upset when most of the world around me can't differentiate brilliant marketing from issues that are truly important. My life will NOT be raadically altered if I don't get to see this film before it comes out on DVD. The whole hoopla just reinforces my belief that many people amongst are about as smart as cattle. :cry:
(Please, no offense intended. I'm using colorful language and marketing speak to make my opinions seem more worthwhile!).
OK - I'm just home from seeing The Passion of the Christ. This is a very graphic movie. However, that's not the important part here - the movie is very confronting.
At risk of raising the ire of the mods here (sorry guys, but it's hard to talk about this movie without mentioning religion at least a little) I'm going to say a couple of things.
Christ said, more than once, that his blood would be shed for the forgiveness of our sins and transgressions. Now, that's a whole lot of sin and therefore, much blood was spilt. The Passion shows a lot of that blood.
As another poster mentioned in this thread, The Bible is a sometimes very violent and confronting book. There are many stories of war, the test of Isaac and God asking him to sacrifice his only child and Job. However, despite the graphic nature of these things they are not gratuitous.
The Passion is very graphic and I certainly won't be letting my children see it for many years (my oldest is 6). But I don't believe that it is gratuitous.
As for my feelings. At different times I felt angry, sad and, at the end, uplifted. Christ didn't die for the forgiveness of sin in a general sense; He died for the forgiveness of MY sins. This is why I have a personal relationship with Him.
Finally, would I recommend it? If you are a Christian then I highly recommend it. It does an excellent job of pulling together the different accounts of Christ's life in the four Gospels. If you are movie lover then I think there is a lot to appreciate in this movie. The score and cinematography is brilliant. Although subtitled, the movie is very easy to follow and keeps moving.
This is not a movie that you can come out of and say "I loved it" (at least IMHO). It is, however, a movie that will move you and make you feel.
Karina, in your original post you mentioned that you weren't sure you'd see it. See it, but don't see it alone. Take a friend because you'll want to talk about it afterwards (at least I did)
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The next passage though is about how to ANSWER the question to different dispositions of children--The wise son, the simple son, the wicked son, and the son who does not know how to ask a question. Only the wise son does it advise to tell the whole story with all the details; the others are given simpler versions to suit their understanding.
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