So I Finally Watch “The Passion”
As part of last nights Catholic Horror Double Feature I decided to finally watch Mel Gibson’s The Passion of The Christ along with the original Exorcist, figuring that this would be a good match considering that almost every review of “The Passion” good or bad mentions the horror-movie level of gore.
Roman bully-boys work over the savior
So what did I think? Well, I think that it’s obvious Mel Gibson directed it considering his last major stint in the directors chair. Gibson tries to show depth in his films through the physical suffering of the main character, so we see William Wallace disemboweled or Jesus flayed till his ribs show. It’s obvious to this pagan that this movie misses the point of the sacrifice, mangles the Gospels, and does indeed depict the Jews as thirsty for the blood of Christ.
Of course this movie isn’t based on the Gospels, it’s based on the lunatic ravings of a German Nun who had her writings repudiated by Vatican II. Perhaps this movie might affect some Christians who aren’t up to speed on their Bible-lore and can swallow the distortions, but any clear-headed person of faith will see this film for what it is, a spiritual snuff-film, an exercise in violence removed from any context that would give it purpose, making it on par with the worst horror movies.
In the end you would be better off not seeing this film. I’m a fan of religious cinema and I have a strong tolerance for mistakes, errors and bad film-making when it comes to them, but The Passion had all the benefits and still managed to screw things up. I can only imagine what a better director with a better script would have done with it. I’m with the boys in Southpark who set off to get their money back from Mel Gibson because they thought it sucked so much. So if you are one of the five or six people who haven’t seen it yet, don’t waste your time.
The Exorcist
Speaking of horror movies, the other film we watched The Exorcist is far more effective as a religious film than The Passion, here we have the struggle for good and evil with no romance or poetry for the violence and horror in the film. Bad is bad, and it’s up to the priests to set things right. Plus its acting and direction are top-notch.
One response so far
I was quoted in a local paper and on the AP in a news story about the Passion, calling it a pornographic snuff film. I am an Episcopal priest and refuse to see the movie. The script (with photos) was enough for me to see that this isn’t biblical or healthy, and you are absolutely right. It misses the point. The Exorcist is a far better film, though disturbing in its own right. At least there, you feel compassion, even fear and not glee at the suffering of another human being.