Is Mel Gibson's The Passion the definitive movie about Jesus Christ?

[Kyphael]

Highly polarizing and controversial, what is your opinion? Is this the definitive movie about Jesus Christ's life to you, particularly focusing on his last 12 hours and the crucifixion?

Let me preface this topic immediately, be it in vain or not, that this is not meant to be religious. This is meant to be about an objective assessment on whether or not this is the greatest film depicting Jesus Christ you have ever seen, which is the argument I'm trying to make. That may seem contradictive, since how good the film is hinges to many people about how accurate it is in depicting Jesus Christ and how well the message is conveyed.

To many, the violence is gratuitous, and actually takes away from the message of the film. I share an opposite opinion, as to me the violence actually strengthens the message. What man could possibly endure this kind of punishment without giving up? Artistically, the movie evokes emotion in me, and this is where I evaluate how good the film is. Not that I've ever been physically chastised to any inhuman degree in this film, but we've all been down, emotionally and physically to the point where we needed to dig deep, and find the strength to pick ourselves up in the face of complete defeat, and keep moving forward. That's why this movie resonates with me.

To many, that might be an inaccurate or foolish way to even critique a movie that on the surface, is about a man, but underneath, is much more, meaning, only Jesus, and no other mortal man could have accomplished what he did, because within the context of Christianity, Jesus was only a man in guise, but he was chosen, and no other, physically, or spiritually, could have fulfilled that role, so it's not really a film about the strength of the human spirit, the way I prefer to analyze, but the passion of a creator for His creations.

Being atheist raised Catholic, I find it difficult to explain why I enjoy this movie so much, and among many movies about Jesus I watched growing up (my other favorite being the equally controversial, The Last Temptation of Christ), this one is the most emotionally powerful and artistically-inspiring. Every other movie I've seen about Jesus Christ focuses on the feel good message, the love, and the teachings, but they come off so preachy and formulaic, none stand above the bunch as anything innovative. Maybe this is because since I no longer believe in the concept of a creator, that anything safely faithful and rooted purely in the religious aspect, isn't particularly interesting because it isn't thought-provoking. It's just like being spoon fed a sermon. Mel Gibson is a devout Christian, and this is his vision, which resonates with me as a film wherein for 127 minutes, I can suspend my disbelief that we're just a cosmic anomaly, and the son of God really died on the cross for our sins. This movie does that for me the way no other movie about Jesus Christ ever could.

One might call Mel Gibson crazy, but objectively, can you name a single movie about Jesus Christ that immerses you as emotionally and as powerfully as this one? This is the point. I can't think of one. I know taste and opinions are subjective, but how strongly does The Passion resonate with you as a film compared to the rest?

[jackofwind]

No, because the movie gets so much wrong about Rome in that period and suffers from the same problems as Braveheart and Apocalypto.

The main problem being that Gibson doesn't give two shits about historical accuracy and blends periods and timelines to paint a false portrait of history.

[Orange Joe]

They cast Jesus as a white male... how can it even be considered definitive when they get the main character wrong.

[CrawlFromThePit]

I would say yes but then again I probably haven't seen many movies about Jesus Christ lol.

As for the violence, I think its perfectly fine, not enough movies portray real life's violence accurately. Most war documentaries or movies about crusades or conqueror stories barely touch the subject of rape and torture or only shows half a scene that only suggests it's gonna happen. This leaves the viewer in their little comfort and does nothing to spread the true message of what actually happened. At least the Passion of the Christ went one step further and showed something that felt real instead of "entertainment violence".

[NihilSustinet]

No, because the movie gets so much wrong about Rome in that period and suffers from the same problems as Braveheart and Apocalypto.

The main problem being that Gibson doesn't give two shits about historical accuracy and blends periods and timelines to paint a false portrait of history.

passion plays existed before the movie, and they used the same techniques; revisonist history, brutal violence and heavy guilt tripping designed specifically to evangelize to the audience. if someone wanted to make a real movie about christ it would be able his message (but they wont, he was a dirty arab commie), not about how he died.

[ldev]

Monty Python did jesus christ movie and it's the only one that didn't suck.

Also yeah, jesus christ was a paki, so basically black.

[CrawlFromThePit]

They cast Jesus as a white male... how can it even be considered definitive when they get the main character wrong.

Are there other Jesus Christ movies out there who cast an actor of the correct race along with everyone else, and using the right language, and showing the events as they were?

I mean sure they cast a white dude but that's not the ONLY thing to take into consideration lol.

[NihilSustinet]

I would say yes but then again I probably haven't seen many movies about Jesus Christ lol.

As for the violence, I think its perfectly fine, not enough movies portray real life's violence accurately. Most war documentaries or movies about crusades or conqueror stories barely touch the subject of rape and torture or only shows half a scene that only suggests it's gonna happen. This leaves the viewer in their little comfort and does nothing to spread the true message of what actually happened. At least the Passion of the Christ went one step further and showed something that felt real instead of "entertainment violence".

are you crazy? it was the definition of gore porn. you realize that no human would go through 20 seconds of what is portrayed in that movie without going into shock and slipping into a coma, right? it is not in any way close to anything to a shadow of anything that could be called "realistic".

[Aggrophobic]

It's an americanized version of a 1800 year old fairytale.
If you want to call that "definitive", sure. It's just as silly as the original though.

[XDurionX]

It's a shitty movie, like every Mel Gibson movie. Simpleminded propaganda.

[CrawlFromThePit]

are you crazy? it was the definition of gore porn. you realize that no human would go through 20 seconds of what is portrayed in that movie without going into shock and slipping into a coma, right? it is not in any way close to anything to a shadow of anything that could be called "realistic".

You sound exactly like the kind of people who have no idea what kind of atrocities happen in real life and think wars were just dudes in a hole throwing grenades like balloons.

[Orange Joe]

Are there other Jesus Christ movies out there who cast an actor of the correct race along with everyone else, and using the right language, and showing the events as they were?

I mean sure they cast a white dude but that's not the ONLY thing to take into consideration lol.

Don't know. I don't watch many/any movies about Jesus.

Nor did I say that was the only thing. Just the most glaring that you don't even have to see the movie to notice.

[Chickat]

It's a shitty movie, like every Mel Gibson movie. Simpleminded propaganda.

Idk I liked the Patriot.

[CrawlFromThePit]

Don't know. I don't watch many/any movies about Jesus.

Nor did I say that was the only thing. Just the most glaring that you don't even have to see the movie to notice.

I agree, but to decide what movie is the closest to the story we gotta take everythign into account, not just see one mistake and instantly count that movie out, otherwise there simply won't be a winner cuz all of them will be disqualified. Gotta pic kthe best among all possible choices including their mistakes.

[MelodicAssassin]

To preface this, I haven't seen many other films about Jesus Christ. As a Christian myself, I feel similarly about the film. The violence was tough to get through the first time, but as it continued, I realized how much Jesus Christ must have loved His creations since He was able to endure as much as He did. It's difficult to watch, but it reminds me that sometimes personal struggles seem so big, but they're nothing compared to that. It's insane how much He sacrificed so people didn't have to go through struggles alone, without a place to turn, because of the passion for His creations.

[jackofwind]

Idk I liked the Patriot.

Which was 100% American propaganda. I mean the whole ending with the American flag worship is ridiculously heavy-handed and cringe inducing.

[Thage]

It was a fun movie if you're into films like Saw, I suppose.

[CrawlFromThePit]

It's a shitty movie, like every Mel Gibson movie. Simpleminded propaganda.

You sound like someone who enjoyed Suicide Squad.

[Queen of Hamsters]

It's a work of fiction. I didn't care for it either way.

Hacksaw Ridge was splendid though, GG Mel.

[StillMcfuu]

Jesus movies seem to be a bit of a faux pas for Hollywood, there aren't many to choose from. As for it being the definitive version, its possible.