Barnes & Noble

Mel Gibson’s controversial but undeniably compelling account of the last hours of Jesus Christ is nothing if not correctly titled: The word “passion” is derived from a Latin term for pain and suffering. And that’s exactly what director Gibson shows us in horrifying detail. From his apprehension by Roman soldiers to his subsequent scourging and crucifixion, the self-proclaimed Son of God suffers terribly, and we see, close up, the effects of every lash, every blow, every rock, and every nail. Adapted by Gibson and Benedict Fitzgerald from the Gospels (particularly the Gospel of John), Passion barely touches on Christ’s message of love; there are brief flashbacks to such New Testament landmarks as the Sermon on the Mount, but they merely lend context to things Jesus sees, hears, or remembers while en route to his destiny: the ultimate sacrifice for humanity. James Caviezel does a fine job as Christ, although his is not a role that calls for a great deal of emoting via dialogue. It’s left to him to convey the intense suffering that Christ underwent during those awful, final hours on Good Friday. Caviezel does this with remarkable skill, and his performance is matched only by those of Maia Morgenstern (playing the Blessed Mother with heart-tugging dignity) and Monica Bellucci (an Italian sexpot oddly cast but quite effective as the reformed prostitute Mary Magdalene). The Passion of the Christ, while produced and shot with great artistry, is not a film that will engage viewers aesthetically or intellectually; it is a uniquely visceral viewing experience, and one that is not recommended for children, no matter how devout. The violence depicted here will unnerve some people, and that’s just what Gibson intended. He wants his audience to realize just how much Christ endured on behalf of his followers, and in that respect the erstwhile actor has succeeded beyond his wildest expectations. The controversy over the director’s alleged anti-Semitism faded rapidly when the oft-predicted reprisals against Jews failed to materialize even as the film attracted tens of millions of moviegoers all over the world, and it shouldn’t be factored into any decision to buy the DVD. It’s unlikely that you’ll ever see a more gripping, visceral account of Christ’s last day, and we guarantee that you’ll never forget it. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

Mel Gibson's well-publicized production The Passion of the Christ concerns the last 12 hours in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. The dialogue is spoken in the ancient Aramaic language, along with Latin and Hebrew. In the Garden of Gethsemane near the Mount of Olives, Jesus (James Caviezel) is betrayed by Judas Iscariot (Luca Lionello). Jesus is condemned to death for blasphemy and brought before Pontius Pilate (Hristo Naumov Shopov), the Roman governor of Judea, for sentencing. The roaring crowd demand his death, so Pilate orders his crucifixion. Jesus is severely beaten and made to carry his cross up to Golgotha, the hill outside Jerusalem, where he is nailed to the cross. Romanian theatrical actress Maia Morgenstern plays Mary, Mother of God, and Italian superstar Monica Bellucci plays Mary Magdalene. Amid much controversy involving Gibson and various religious organizations, The Passion of the Christ received an international theatrical release in February of 2004. In March 2005, Gibson released an unrated version of the film, dubbed The Passion Recut, that eliminated five to six minutes of the more graphic scenes of flogging and crucifixion. Andrea LeVasseur

Product Details

• UPC: 024543565819
• Source: 20TH CENTURY FOX
• Region Code: A
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: DTS 5.1-Channel Surround Sound, Dolby AC-3 Surround Sound
• Editions: Subtitled, Dubbed
• Time: 2:06:00
• Sales Rank: 4,909

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