DVD | Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ"
by: Matthew Hundley
"The Passion of the Christ" is a story with an ending that everyone knows, but it is attracting a massive audience, much to the delight of Christians and to the dismay of others who see it as an attack on Jews.
“After viewing the film people will discover something new in their heart which will lead them to questions about their life, about their relationship with God, and their need for change,” said Rev. Wiley Drake.
Like the vast majority of Christian clergy across the nation, Drake sees the film as an opportunity to strengthen current church members and attract new ones. He does not see the film as an attack on Jews, as some critics charge.
“People who see this film come away with a renewed devotion to Christ, or at least a desire to learn more. It does not inspire hate,” said Drake.
Drake's comments are a reply to those made by Rabbi Leon Lenicki, emeritus director of the Anti-Defamation League, that the film is anti-Jewish.
“The film follows the accounts in the four gospels as found in the Bible. Those who have trouble with the account in the film are also critics of the Bible,” said Drake.
“They see the Biblical account as being critical of the Jews, when in reality Christianity teaches that we are all responsible for the suffering of Jesus. My sin, your sin, the sin of all of us put him on the cross. No one group of people killed him.”
Gibson has succeeded in placing viewers in a front row seat where they can feel as though they were personally present during the last 12 hours of the life of Christ. The film makes it all real, and the reaction of initial audiences has been anything but hate.
Filmed in Aramaic and Latin, with English subtitles, "The Passion of the Christ" focuses on the agonizing and bloody details of Jesus' final 12 hours and it is rated R because of the graphic nature of those events.
Devout Christians may shy away from R-rating, but in this case the violence is necessary in order to understand what Christ really endured for us.
“It is one thing to read about it, but now we can experience in a very personal way what Christ went through. We can be there by his side, and when we leave the theater we will have a greater desire to change our lives as a result,” said Drake.
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Mel Gibson's "The Passion of Christ" is now playing at the Waverly Palace Theatre and at the Crossroads Cinemas. Check CVEA Movie Listings for exact times. Let us know your thoughts after seeing the film. Drop an e-mail to: articles@cvea.info
Posted: February 25, 2004  
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