The Passion of the Christ [2004] - Mgm Home Ent. (Europe) Ltd.

A Manufactured Messiah

Unfortunately, 'Passion' and 'Logic' are two words that never make good bedfellows. People have very heated discussions about not only this film, but the story of Christ itself. And my belief is that it is just that - a story. Jesus Christ, whoever/whatever he was, was 'promoted' to Messiah at the Council of Nicea in 325 AD by a show of hands. Even religious scholars agree that the four Gospels are not an entirely accurate description of what may or may not have happened. Yet here is Mel Gibson trying to pass this film off as something that is based on 'fact'. Was Mel Gibson actually there in 33 AD? I doubt it. For those who can actually be bothered to do a little research, there are several religions that pre-date Christianity that had at their roots the idea of a Messiah born of a virgin, crucified and raised from the dead after three days. Don't take my word for it - there are plenty of sources that you can research - and they are all accurate. I don't think there's anything wrong with anybody being passionate about their view of this film - but people who say 'well that's how Christ suffered' really are making comments based on no factual evidence whatsoever. At least if people go and see Macbeth and write passionate reviews, they know that ultimately it is only a play and Macbeth is a fictional character. With the story of Christ, there is no objectivity whatsoever. People are raised in Christian families, believe what they are told from an early age and don't think to do any objective research themselves. I also find people like Mel Gibson very hypocritical. Isn't divorce supposed to be forbidden in the Catholic church (I cannot verify this for certain as I am not Catholic). Yet Mel Gibson has left his wife only to take up with a young bit of fluff. Says it all. That's why I like atheists - they have no axe to grind, they don't suffer from religious snobbery (my imaginary God is better than your imaginary God and if you don't believe me, when you die you're going to hell) and they don't accuse Jews of being Christ killers (no, I am not Jewish either). It always amazes me how the most religiously obsessed accuse the Jews of killing Christ, yet if the crucifixion story is based on any fact at all, then surely it stands to reason that Jesus himself was the person who arranged his own death. It had to be so, otherwise he couldn't have risen from the dead after three days and ascended into heaven. If that is the case, then the Jews actually did Christianity a big favour. But then as I said at the beginning of this review, passion and logic really don't make very good bedfellows at all.

Why not subtitles in different languages?

This extended dvd is good, but I do not understand why there are not any subtitles? This so called director's edition is informative and is still not available in the Netherlands.

He loved me and gave Himself up for me

A great film, watch it, pray and live in His love.

O Blood and Water which gushed forth
from the Heart of Jesus
as a fount of Mercy for us
I trust in Thee

Prayer of St.Faustina

Very Good Purchase

This DVD arrived very quickly and in very good condition.

It is an excellent emotive film, that is truly inspiring as it puts this historical event into perspective.I feel that it is a very worthwhile purchase!

Great achievement

Having watched this for the first time I must say it is no more gruesome to watch this movie than to the read the corresponding parts of The new Testament; it sort of depends on your mood and receptability at the given time. It works exquisitely in the Time context - you virtually feel the seconds pass, and the characters and their expression are great; one steeped in nothern european evangeilc lutheranism may find the appeareance of Christ where scenes of the Last Supper, the Sermon of the Mount and elsewhere are inserted too Catholic and children-story book like. The sadistic drunken Roman soldiers are horribly effective, and the music is perfect. It's truly impressive.