The Passion Of The Christ

This film is BRUTAL!! It is an unforgiving journey through torture, pain, weakness, strength and emotion.

Jesus is arrested for being, well Jesus. The Jewish high priests are not entirely enamoured by the idea that he may be the son of God, and charge him with blasphemy/heresy call it what you will. As Jesus does not deny this they take him, after a thoroughly good kicking, to the Roman authorities requesting that he be crucified for his claims. Now to give them their due the Romans, Pontious Pilate, don’t really think the punishment fits the crime and offer to give him another beating instead! Of course they get a bit carried away and by the end Jesus is in a pretty bad way. At which point the Jews again request that he be crucified. Now just to make sure that he’s heard them right Pilate offers them a choice between Jesus who is a Preacher, and Barabus a murderer and general nasty piece of work. Jesus it is then. So then the Romans give him a great big cross and tell him to carry it to the top of a hill outside the city walls where he will be nailed to it and then left until dead. This isn’t the easiest of journeys not helped by the continued whipping he receives along the way. Seeing that he is struggling the Romans pick a guy out of the crowd to help. But they also continue to whip Jesus whilst they continue on up the hill.

This is a lighted hearted way of covering the basic story which many people know very well, but Gibson’s film doesn’t show us the idea of Jesus from a Christian upbringing it shows what he believes to be a more realistic version of his persecution before and on the cross. What it also shows, which I don’t believe has come out through much of the press, is that no one group Jewish, Christian or Roman comes through this film smelling of roses. Yes the Jews want him crucified, but its the Romans in this film who relish beating and whipping Jesus with various hideous implements. Yes Pilate gives the option of Jesus or Barabus, he could have just given them back Jesus. He could have stopped the crucifixion but for political reasons he chooses not to. The Christians what do they do? Christians betray Jesus, Judas, Christians deny Jesus, Peter, and Christians stand by and do nothing whilst he is being slowly tortured and killed, John and Mary.

Whatever your religious beliefs or affiliations, I can guarantee you at leats two of three things if you choose to see this film. Firstly lots of bloody violence, secondly you will look away from the screen more than once and finally you are unlikely to watch it twice.

Pip Johnstone