The Passion of the Christ Movie Review

Mel Gibson’s film The Passion of the Christ was an attempt to cinematically reproduce the final hours of the life of Jesus. As a whole, the film was well produced and seemed to accurately depict the life, times, and culture of Israel and the early Roman Empire during the times of Ancient Rome. It was clear from the beginning of the film that it was meant to evoke a sense of heaviness and emotion from the viewer. This is evident from the dramatic and loud music chosen to play along behind the footage.

While some see the repeated scenes of Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a reflection of director Mel Gibson’s religion and Roman Catholic heritage, others see them as using Mary’s motherly interaction with Jesus as yet another way to build emotional feelings within the hear of the viewer. I tend to agree with both ideas, realizing that the director’s worldview will always show through in their work, and recognizing that the mother-son interaction is an effective tool for conjuring emotional feelings. Overall, my general impression of the film was that it was largely meant to be first, an emotional experience for the viewer, and second, a spiritual experience depending on the spiritual life and religion of the viewer.

The Passion of the Christ clearly and effectively explained the political situation in Israel at the time of Jesus trial and crucifixion, and seemed to accurately portray the process of Jesus trial. After Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, Jesus was brought before the High Priest and his council (the Sanhedrin). While many of the Sanhedrin sought to condemn Jesus, others made note that the entire counsel was not present, and the trial was therefore illegal. The Sanhedrin proceeded to find Jesus guilty of blasphemy by claiming to be the Son of God and decided to push for His crucifixion. However, according to the law in Ancient Roman times, the Jews were unable to invoke capital punishment and therefore were forced to bring Jesus before Pilate (the governor appointed by Rome). Pilate could not find fault in Jesus claims or behavior, and had Him sent to Herod for judgment. Herod too could not find Jesus guilty, and had Him sent back to Pilate. After increased pressure from the Sanhedrin and having been threatened with blackmail, Pilate had Jesus whipped. After the punishment of scourging, the soldiers proceeded to continue to torture and humiliate Jesus by insulting His kingship with a crown of thorns and a purple robe. Pilate, fearing for his own life and political position, claimed his innocence in the matter by washing his hands and turned Jesus over to be executed by crucifixion.

In the most general and broad terms, The Passion of the Christ seemed to be a fairly accurate depiction of the gospel accounts. The film followed the basic storyline of the last hours of the life of Jesus from the time in the garden until His final breath on the cross. It did seem that at times the accuracy according to the scriptures was compromised in an effort to build entertainment value and emotional response. For example, the film introduces the character of Satan into the movie while Jesus is praying in the Garden of Gesthemane. While the Bible does imply that Jesus was undergoing a battle of wills, the text makes no mention of the devil’s physical presence in the garden. Biblical texts also do not make any mention of Satan’s presence during the punishment and scourging of Jesus.

The biblical account of Jesus crucifixion does not make any mention of Jesus’ mother Mary until the instance on Golgotha where Jesus tells John to “behold your mother”. (John 19:25-27) However, The Passion of the Christ deviates from the scriptural accounts and integrates Mary into almost every scene of the movie. In the film Mary was present at Jesus’ trials, she watched Him as he was whipped and cleaned up the puddles of His blood, she watched Jesus as He struggled to carry His cross through the streets and up the hill, and she looked on in sadness and horror as He was nailed to the cross and hours later drew His last breath.

While The Passion of the Christ did not literally coincide with the gospel accounts of Jesus final hours, I tend to think that the deviation from the scripture was one of the movie’s strengths. The fictional embellishments of Satan’s presence in the garden and at the flogging, Judas’ torment and suicide, the crow’s wrath upon the thief, and the seemingly constant appearance of Mary all assist in bringing out the heaviness and sorrow of the final moments of Christ’s life. They show that Jesus death is not something to be taken lightly or routinely. They evoke a sense of emotion and seriousness to the actions that Jesus took in order to save those who are willing from eternal punishment.

The periodic flashbacks that occur in Jesus’ mind throughout the movie are another one of the strengths of the film. I found myself wanting just a few more flashbacks and background information than just the ones given. The flashbacks contained in the movie added to the overall sense of heaviness and injustice against Jesus. In each of the flashbacks Jesus is portrayed as gentle, loving, and wise. He was clearly not the rebellious revolutionary that the Pharisees made Him out to be during the trials in front of the Chief Priest, Pilate, or Herod.

The weaknesses I found in the film are mostly cinematic, and do not specifically relate to the biblical account of Jesus’ crucifixion. First, I found the attempt at comedy, where Jesus makes a tall table and Mary tells Him that it the concept will never catch on, to be a bit unnecessary and quite out of place. The mood of the film is wrought with heaviness, and so much time was spent getting the viewer to the same point that integrating a small bit of humor detracts from the overall message of the film. Second, I thought that a few scenes, namely Jesus’ procession to Golgotha, to be a bit long and drawn out. I think it would have been a bit more effective to take a look back into Jesus life and show scenes of a few miracles or other events from His life.

I imagine it would be rather difficult for anyone to completely watch The Passion of the Christ and remain unaffected emotionally and spiritually. The film caused many to think deeply about the immense cost that Jesus paid in order to save many sinners.  The film took a well known story that many have read and re-read a number of times to a whole new significance by presenting the story visually. The images and clips will no doubt remain in the minds of many for a while, and will continue to remind Christians of what took place at someone else’s expense so that I can spend an eternity with Christ in heaven.