The Passion of the Christ- Feb 25th

xm15e3

What has been the Irish (people/media/church) reaction to this movie? Is anyone planning on seeing it?

It has a large underground fallowing in the US, mainly through evangelical organizations. And will be released with the numbers of a major release, although they are avoiding "Jewish" markets like NY City.

Any buzz about this film? I'm guessing it will do quite well in the Republic of Ireland.

lodgepole

'Violent' religious movie passed by censor
Saturday February 14th 2004

A HIGHLY controversial religious film has been passed by the Irish Film Censor, but he took the unusual step last night of assuring the public that it was not anti-semitic.

The Mel Gibson movie, 'The Passion of Christ', has been the focus of widespread controversy in the United States over the last few months. Jewish groups who have seen it have claimed that it depicts them as the murderers of Jesus.

The Irish censor, John Kelleher, who gave the movie a PG 15 rating, said it was extremely violent and might upset some people but he decided to release it uncut.

"The film is clearly a strong personal statement of the director's own religious faith, but I do no believe his purpose is anti-semitic," Mr Kelleher said. "In my judgment, the film's critical stance relates to certain Jewish leaders of the period and not to the Jewish people in general."

'The Passion of the Christ' will be released here on March 2, two weeks after it opens in the US. The Irish distributors, Eclipse Pictures, say it will be the biggest release for a subtitled picture ever. The movie, which is in Latin and Aramaic, will open on 40 screens here.

Mr Kelleher described 'The Passion of the Christ' as "a serious cinematic dramatisation of an event that goes to the core of the beliefs of very many people in Ireland."

He said he believed it would have a particular resonance here and was likely to be of interest to a wide audience. As regards its violence, he said he was conscious that "some persons, irrespective of age, will find the film's scenes of explicit cruelty and violence disturbing."

Mr Kelleher has insisted that all publicity material for the picture - posters, trailers and print, radio and television advertising - include the caution: "This film contains scenes of explicit violence which may disturb some viewers."

The certificate means that no person under the age of 15 can be admitted to 'The Passion of the Christ' unless accompanied by a parent or an adult guardian.

Mr Kelleher's move is a substantial departure for an Irish censor. Traditionally, censors have been unwilling to discuss or give reasons for their decisions, but Mr Kelleher has already gone on the 'Liveline' radio programme on RTE to discuss listeners' questions about censorship.

Mel Gibson has put his reputation and a considerable part of his fortune on the line to make 'The Passion of the Christ' and to have it shown. It cost him $25m to make and his his own company, Icon, is marketing it and distributing it in over 2,000 cinemas in North America.

Philip Molloy

From the Irish Independent...

I'm looking forward to it, and i'm not Christian. I don't believe it will be anti semetic (given the limited information available to me) and will give it a fair chance. I think it could be excellent.

xm15e3

Originally posted by Lodgepole
I don't believe it will be anti semetic (given the limited information available to me) and will give it a fair chance.

Rabbi Daniel Lapin and Mike Medved (Jewish Film critic) have both seen the film and didn't find it anti-semetic. They are both very conservative, but I don't see how politics would determine ant-semetic or not. The one Jewish columnist that did claim it was, also claimed the New Testament to be "Nasty"..go figure.

From the trailer, the film looks like a Riddley Scott work. It is beautifully shot. And thee casting of a very hard looking woman to play an androgynous Satan looks very effective.

mr_angry

Mel Gibson's Creationist ideals would really put me off going to see a film where he portrays the life & death of Jesus. However, I'm hoping that the occurences are so well documented means he wont have the opportunity to put his own spin on things, and the film will remain untainted by his personal views. However, at the same time, I fail to see why he would go to the trouble and expense of making such a film, if not to promote his personal views.

I'll give it a fair chance, but I'm not optimistic.

Andrew Duffy

I can't help thinking about Father Ted's "The Passion of Saint Tibulus". Careful Now! Down with this sort of thing!

Agent Orange

Monica Bellucci plays a hooker in it. It's a must-see.

EDIT: Breaking news!
It's been given an 18 cert by the British Censor:

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/website/Classified.nsf/ClassifiedWorks/D3E1ECB136CC552F80256E3F003194FC?OpenDocument

Contains extended scenes of strong violence

I'm a big gore movie fan - I can't wait to see this.

Zoton

I hope it dies on its arse. that is all.

patch

Well, I reckon it will be true cinema experience. John casssssssa(you know who I mean) was born to play the role,and I reckon he'll be perfect in it.
I'm not big into religion of any type, but I don't mind seeing a popular story well filmed.

Ebony

what joke that movie is gonna be! even its propagana is laughable. might help those of use who are sick of being beaten to death with catholic ideals though, cause im sure when mel gibsons put jesus on lunch boxes and free crucifixs's in cornflakes people will finalnally stop taking catholicism so seriously!

I think it could be interesting.
Anyways at leasy Ill be able to see a film without having to listen to a load of people screaming and shouting and throwing stuff. Subtitled or intelligant films do not attract a crowd in my town.

adonis

what ever happened to this film just being released in latin and hebrew?
i believe this was the original idea behind it, and that he wasnt going to subtitle it at all..
it sounds like it could belong in another thread; "whats the most pretentious film youve ever seen"
it could, however, be quite good.
the monica belluci scene could be quite good, and i doubt it will be anti-semetic as after all jesus was jewish!

xm15e3

Originally posted by adonis
what ever happened to this film just being released in latin and hebrew?
i believe this was the original idea behind it, and that he wasnt going to subtitle it at all..

Gibson added them due to the feedback from his private screenings. I guess it is in Latin and Aramaic (related to Hebrew). I was almost disappointed about they changed it. I'm pretty sure most people can fallow the story without subtitles.

Roman's nailing Jews to crosses is kinda anti-semetic, however, I doubt that is what the ADL was concerned with.

Len_007

Agent Orange, U saying the only reason you'd go and see this film is because of the Gore?

adnans

"It's all -- maybe not all fiction -- but most of it is," he said, adding that the gas chambers and crematoria at camps like Auschwitz would not have been capable of exterminating so many people.

"Do you know what it takes to get rid of a dead body? To cremate it?" he said. "It takes a litre of petrol and 20 minutes. Now, six million of them? They (the Germans) did not have the gas to do it. That's why they lost the war."

from http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/02/19/1077072756433.html

adnans

Robbo

Originally posted by xm15e3
Roman's nailing Jews to crosses is kinda anti-semetic, however, I doubt that is what the ADL was concerned with.

The problem the ADL have is that apparently (having not seen this yet, I'm in no position to confirm), Gibson alludes to the Jews being responsible for Jesus' crucifixtion.

Draco

Originally posted by Robbo
The problem the ADL have is that apparently (having not seen this yet, I'm in no position to confirm), Gibson alludes to the Jews being responsible for Jesus' crucifixtion.

and if you had read those sections of the bible that deal with it, you'll see that is what it says. So it's not Gibson putting in something, rather him following the bible.

Agent Orange

Originally posted by Len_007
Agent Orange, U saying the only reason you'd go and see this film is because of the Gore?

Certainly not.

Monica Bellucci might be naked in it.

xm15e3

Originally posted by Robbo
The problem the ADL have is that apparently (having not seen this yet, I'm in no position to confirm), Gibson alludes to the Jews being responsible for Jesus' crucifixtion.

I'd heard that complaint. But it doesn't fit Gibson's theology. The entire point of Christianity is that all humanity nailed him to the cross. Gibson made a point of using his hands for the scene cuts that show the nails being driven in. The ADL is off base on this one.

A legitimate concern is if nut-job churches try to twist this into their teachings, however they are probably teaching "Diecide" anyway.

sceptre

Originally posted by xm15e3
The entire point of Christianity is that all humanity nailed him to the cross.

What about the bits where the locals tell Pilate that on their heads and those of their children be it and so on?

Like it or not, and as a non-religious type I couldn't really care any less, the bible's reasonably precise in maintaining that the Romans (Pilate specifically, historical authors such as Tacitus confirm the accuracy of this) ordered the crucifixion after Caiaphas and his cronies organised at least one illegal trial (according to the Mishnah, it was not permitted to have capital trials at night or on the eve of the Sabbath and any trial involving blasphemy had to involve the epecific utterance of the name of god (that's the whole point of the Life of Brian stoning scene) and six or seven other things), tried to fiddle Pilate's trial and the people in the crowd (who happened to be jewish) chose a robber and thief over Jesus and told Pilate they'd accept the blame. Up to yourself whether you believe the bible's narrative is a true representation of the facts, the movie is a true representation of the facts, neither is a true representation of the facts, the bible is anti-semitic or the movie is anti-semitic. Obviously not all of these options are mutually exclusive.

Regardless of how you look at it, blaming current Jews who weren't alive at the time for killing Jesus is as nutty as blaming current Germans who weren't alive at the time for killing jews and other "undesirables" in ww2. That's ignoring my own view that it's nuts anyway - every jewish person wasn't waiting outside Pilate's house. Or if you're religious they were just fulfilling prophecy and the big plan.

Either way, at the very least it'll be another worthwhile addition to the traditional Easter diet of Ben Hur, The Greatest Story Ever Told, The Robe and the Life of Brian.

xm15e3

Originally posted by sceptre
...Caiaphas and his cronies

I think that line about sums it up. It't not about Jews, but human nature.

Othwise, I completely agree. Although Ben Hur? I hope you fast forward to the chariot race. I know the movie is a classic,... but man?

sceptre

Originally posted by xm15e3
Although Ben Hur? I hope you fast forward to the chariot race. I know the movie is a classic,... but man?

I never really liked Ben Hur much to be honest. I'd go to see it if they ever did a cinematic re-release (2009 maybe) but only for the chariot race. The first time I saw the Life of Brian was when I rented it out on a good Friday though (sorry to anyone who may be vaguely offended by this, it seemed like a good day to rent it out when i was 16) - it's been something of a family Easter tradition ever since.

xm15e3

Originally posted by sceptre
.... but only for the chariot race.

I watched it only for the trivia part...freakin'd dull. I'd seen the Race part only because of a drunken "Heston Film Festival" and a buddy of mine wanted to see the part where the stunt man got squished. Not exactly the moral intent of the film.

Now Life of Brian. THAT is quality entertainment...and with a highly educational lesson in Vulgar Latin..

Rabies

So far it is doing well €20million in 24hrs ... empireonline.co.uk
Although most people would be going to see it to find out what all the media attention is about.

ixoy

Would many even bother to see this movie if it hadn't had the anti-Semitic accusations? Traditionally, the US market is very intolerant of subtitled movies. If I remember correctly, Amélie was the previous record holder for a subtitled movie gross.

I guess the fact it's got the militant religious nuts backing it, that will ensure it gets repeat viewing. The rest of us can enjoy the unrelenting violence and the funny words...

Nuttzz

I saw people in the states comming out of the cinema crying saying "I cant believe he went through that for me" on the box this morning. I wonder what they though cruxification was like before the film, It should go down well here.

I suppose I will go to see what the hype is about (slave to marketing and all that) cant she herself going though, i believe you need a strong stomach

Jewish leaders who have attended advance screenings have voiced concerns that its portrayal of the Jews' role in Christ's execution could stir up anti-Semitic feeling.

Well like they did kinda call for his death didnt they???

ixoy

Originally posted by Nuttzz
Well like they did kinda call for his death didnt they???

Always confused me too
I think the point made is that it was some Jews, whereas the impression often gotten is that it was all Jews. It'd be like blaming all the Irish people for the activities of militants in the North, or all Iraqis for Saddamn's despotic regime...

BEAT

I think it will do very well. I love all movies Gibson has done. He is wonderfully talented at making films based on historic facts and really makes the movie real. I think that anyone who wont see it becasue of its nature is ridiculous, and only the ignorant would carry out such anti-semetic acts as is predicted by the jews. I can understand thier fear, but come on....it is a movie and the subject matter has been covered for hundreds of years, its not going to stop now.

I cant wait to see it.

Dr. Loon

Originally posted by ixoy
Would many even bother to see this movie if it hadn't had the anti-Semitic accusations?

I'd heard about this movie ages ago... before all the hype started up, and I thought "Excellent. A decent modern day rendition of what happened. Can't wait to see that".

I'm still thinking the same thing. Fúck the hype. Bunch of whingers.

Badly Drunk Boy

If Mel was trying to be authentic about the languages in the film, I think he should have used Greek instead of Latin, as well as Aramaic. Greek was probably spoken by more of the Romans at that time, which is backed up by the fact that the New Testament was written in Greek rather than Latin, and largely by St Paul, a Roman citizen.

Not that it really matters much....

Originally posted by sceptre
Like it or not, and as a non-religious type I couldn't really care any less, the bible's reasonably precise in maintaining that the Romans (Pilate specifically, historical authors such as Tacitus confirm the accuracy of this) ordered the crucifixion after Caiaphas and his cronies organised at least one illegal trial (according to the Mishnah, it was not permitted to have capital trials at night or on the eve of the Sabbath and any trial involving blasphemy had to involve the epecific utterance of the name of god (that's the whole point of the Life of Brian stoning scene) and six or seven other things.

Because it was the Romans that ordered the execution, it wouldn't have mattered what the Mishnah said about capitals trials since it wouldn't be a matter of Jewish law. Andthe trial wasn't about Jesus being a blasphemer, it was be cause he was percewived as being a rebel. It was assumed that he wanted to establish a kingdom for the Jews while he was talking about a kingdom in heaven, so it was for political rather than religious reasons that he was tried.

Manach

I will go to see the film, as I would be interested to see Gibson's interpretation of the last hours of Christ and not some sanitised mainstream Hollywood version; and of course to see Monica Bellucci.

BTW, the legions of Tiberius’ time were raised from about the Empire, but I presume Latin would be their common.tongue.

koneko

Some 50-something year old woman in the States apparantly had a heart attack (and died) during the crucifixion scene (which is meant to be fairly gory).

Personally, I could not be less interested in seeing this film :dunno:

Agent Orange

Go to this movie and you're supporting anti-semitism.

It's as simple as that.

Dr. Loon

Originally posted by Agent Orange
Go to this movie and you're supporting anti-semitism.

It's as simple as that.

Yes. You're right. You fool.

BigEejit

Originally posted by Agent Orange
Go to this movie and you're supporting anti-semitism.

It's as simple as that.

Give a reason why if youre going to make statements like that .... or are you just trolling

ixoy

Originally posted by Agent Orange
Go to this movie and you're supporting anti-semitism.

It's as simple as that.

Ah more classic Agent Orange! All profits made from any other Hollywood movie generally go into the manufacture of cute teddy bears for sick children...

koneko

Don't take him too seriously, he loved the Matrix sequels.

krattapopov

if i dont go to the cinema to see it

but i will definitley be renting it at some stage

xm15e3

Originally posted by Manach
BTW, the legions of Tiberius’ time were raised from about the Empire, but I presume Latin would be their common.tongue.

I've heard it called "Street Latin". Anyone know if this is similar to or same as Vulgar (Common) Latin? I would guess it is a mix of Latin with some Greek.

xm15e3

http://www.boxofficeguru.com/022704.htm

In its second full day in theaters, Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ held up remarkably well and grossed $14,781,316, dropping 44% from its opening day haul of $26,556,573. Take out the estimated $3M in preview grosses that were added to Wednesday's figure, and the decline stands at a surprisingly mild 37%. By comparison, Wednesday-to-Thursday drops for other recent high-profile event films bowing on Wednesdays include 51% for The Return of the King, 57% for Star Wars Episode I, 47% for The Two Towers, and 55% for The Matrix Revolutions.

To date, Passion has collected a stunning $41.3M going into the Friday-to-Sunday weekend period with tremendous strength. That puts it in the same company as The Phantom Menace, which launched with a Wednesday-Thursday take of $40.9M leading to a five-day bow of $105.7M. Also performing in similar fashion was The Two Towers which took in $40M in its first two days capturing $102M over its five-day opening frame. At its current pace, the Jesus tale may also reach the neighborhood of $100M over its Wednesday-to-Sunday debut frame.

xm15e3

Friday February 27, 06:00 PM
Angry UK response to Passion
Mel Gibson's film The Passion Of The Christ screened for the first time in the UK this week to anger from Jewish leaders who called it anti-Semitic.


Neville Nagler, Director General of the Jewish Board of Deputies, said it would have been better if the film had never been made.

"The glorification of violence and the reinforcement of medieval stereotyping of the Jewish people is extremely dangerous," he told The Sun.

The first screening of The Passion Of The Christ in Ireland caused an equally strong reaction.

The Chief Rabbi of Ireland, Dr Yaakov Pearlman has called on the majority Catholic Church to denounce Gibson's movie as anti-Semitic, saying it portrays Jews as bloodthirsty and barbaric — an allegation the director has repeatedly denied.

The Passion Of The Christ is released in the UK on March 26.

....

Tyrrial

i'm sick of hearing about jesus. i thought popular cinima was the only escape from it.

in short i'd rather eat my own arm then go see it.

corkie

From English to German : - Die Neigung des Christ

From German to French : - Le penchant chrétien

From French back to English : - The leaning Christian

Using http://babelfish.altavista.com/ to Translate.

Had some time to burn on Friday evening to watch this film.

Extremely Graphic scenes of how the "Son of Man" was tutured before he was put on the cross. Not for the Faint of heart. Recomend Parents see this before accompaning teenagers.

Mel Gibson artisctic licence came into play, some of the sutle content I could not remember been in the bible.

I didn't see it been anti-semitic. But more as a representation of select a group of individuals abusing their authority/power they had over the poplulace.

During the film I though of the "Life of Brian" film.

Regards,
J.

MrPinK

Originally posted by ixoy
Would many even bother to see this movie if it hadn't had the anti-Semitic accusations? Traditionally, the US market is very intolerant of subtitled movies.

Well I'd imagine Jesus would be able to draw a crowd, subtitles or not.

RAIN

Id just like to say this film was amazing and the only message i got from was positive im not going to say anything anal but it definetly touched me and the film has stayed with me so far .

User45701

It was ok. Wasent brillent, i can not understand why some people claped at the end. A movie would have to be very VERY VERY good to make me clap at the end.
Mabe the SG1 movie or Kill bill volume 2 MIGHT be good enough to deserve a clap but clapping in a cinima dosent make much sence.

simu

I think it's gonna suck - i got enough of that Jeebus stuff at school to last a lifetime.

I wonder will all the hard core Catholics in Ireland go to see it? Generally they're not into technologhy (i.e. televangelism, religious websites etc) as the Bible thumpers in the USA.

I can imagine the reaction over there though "I've been saved by Mel Gibson" haha.

lodgepole

I thought it was superb, though I didn't really like the closing, post crucifiction, few minutes. Other than the opening sequence, all of Satan's appearances were quite weak. Especially her very final shot.

I'm going to go again to watch it without reading the subtitles, I tried the first time and found that I just had to read them.

Mr E

I loved it. Its powerful stuff.... Jim Caviezel was perfect for the role. The supernatural-type elements were a bit unusual (especially Judas' visions after he betrayed Jesus). The violence was gruesome enough - this ain't a movie for kids or squeamish parents. I'm really surprised it got a 15PG cert.

I'd be inclined to get the DVD when it comes out. I think a making-of documentary and directors commentary would be fascinating. I hear that there were some scenes cut from the theatrical release - hopefully they make it to the DVD.

- Dave.

quank

Liked it.

My friends said it was really gruesome, but IMO I think I've seen worse.
Saving Private Ryan for one.

Didn't understand the whole devil concept though.

Good thing, they kept the subtitles in too.

Mr E

"The Making Of..." was on RTE1 late last night. Very interesting to see how they did some of the special effects. Mel Gibson said that they were the best special effects he had ever seen because they don't look like special effects.

- Dave.

MrJoeSoap

I thought it was the greatest load of rubbish ever. The first half hour was fine, but from then on its pretty much just torture and gore for the rest of the movie.

To the guy who said that anyone who went to see it would be supporting anti-semitism... get a life.

PS - I preferred the book.

PPS - I wonder will they put stickers on copies of The Bible now saying "Now a hit Hollywood blockbuster". Thatd be funny.