BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Bible Basics The Passion of Christ

If you saw the movie, what did you think?


What was opening day like in your town?


What will you do now?

The movie was phenomenal. One of the most thought provoking, powerful, upsetting movies I have ever seen. It picks you up, scrambles your mind, then sits you down in your chair again to figure it out. I suggest every one go see it!

Read about my own reactions to the Passion here:
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art18460.asp

Also read an interview with Jim caviezel about playing Jesus here:
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art17648.asp

Give your feedback! I'm anxious to hear it!!

I saw the movie a few weeks ago, and it definetly left an impression on me. I am not super familiar with the gospels, but am becoming more so thanks to my Theology classes.

A few days ago, I attended a Theological panel discussion on the Passion, and I thought I'd share what I learned. As most of us know, the Passion is not taken directly out of scripture. Some aspects of it definetly are, but there are a lot of ideas and events in the movie that are not in the gospels. Well, if they aren't in the Bible, then where do they come from?

The movie seems to be inspired by an 18th century writer named Anne Catherine Emeric. (I hope I spelled her name right...)

Some of the events in the movie that are in her book, but not the gospels are:

Jesus' conversations with satan, Jesus bing pushed off the wall after being captured, him being beaten before his trial, Mary's presense throughout the Passion, the prevalence of Pilate's wife, Mary and Mary Magdelene wiping up Jesus' blood after the scourging, the crow picking at the eyes of the other prisoner on the cross, Jesus' seven falls, and the destruction of the temple at the end.

One thing that is slightly misconstrued is the character of Pontius Pilate. Pilate was actually a very blood thirsty man. He was actually fired from his position because he was TOO brutal (according to Roman standards!) He was not concerned with Jesus, he was only concerned with his own image and making his life easier.

If anyone has anything to add, I would love to hear it! I like learning about this kind of stuff... it helps me develop my own faith.

Thanx for entering your opinion of this controversial movie.

When I saw it, I also noticed the things that were seemingly unusual, too. My husband who has no church history in his background was asking questions about some of it. I told him that alot of what is in the movie is from the Catholic Passion that is celebrated starting on Ash Wednesday and continuing untill Easter Sunday. This includes the seven falls during Jesus' trek to the Place of the Skull or Goltha or Golgagtha where the crucifixion happened and the birds pecking the eyes out of the other theif who did not believe. Christs mother is a notable figure in Catholic doctrine and that explains the expressness of her presence during the whole ordeal. All in all, the movie "The Passion" came from a very old school Catholic perspective. The Catholic Church is where you can find a long history of tradition and celebrating the Passion of Christ....His betrayal, His arrest, His scourging, the crucifixion, and His ressurrection....

By the way, I really liked the fact that the movie depicted Satan as being present and tormenting Jesus even up until His death. It was solid....Untill we submit to the Lord in hard times, we are being pursued by Satan and he trys to lead us astray, but the minute we turn to the Lord for help in our times of trouble, we are redeemed and he goes away. I like to think with his tail between his legs, but thats just my own personal visual.

Hi, Everyone....

I cried uncontrollably during most of the movie. I left feeling emotionally and physically drained, had a tension headache, and basically did nothing the rest of the afternoon (well, I think I took a short nap).

This movie didn't really change any of my beliefs about Jesus (I got saved about 20 years ago). But what it did do was put a stark, brutal, realistic visual to what I already understood about the Crucifixion.

For me, it was watching a Loved One being tortured and murdered 'live and in person'. If it 'changed' anything about the way I live my life, I guess it would be that I am even more conscious of the power of love and forgiveness, and that the crucifixion is the "Paid In Full Forever" stamp which allows me to be free from guilt and shame.

While I do recommend the movie to everyone (because God will certainly minister to each person in an individual way through it), I do warn them of the brutality of the reality of it. I think my Mom, a devout Christian, will not go for just that reason.

Janey

I was hesitant about the movie for the very reasons you stated, Janey.
I do warn them of the brutality of the reality of it. I think my Mom, a devout Christian, will not go for just that reason.

However, I did go and have recorded my experience here:
The Passion of The Christ

I noticed the differances in the story and the scripture that I know and the use of dramatic license. I'm glad I have the knowledge of scripture that I do so that I could follow all of the story.

Jenna, I didn't know that the bit about the birds came from Catholic tradition!

Lynn,

You should of course check on it... but I remember when I was in Catholic school it was something we kind of all knew about even tho I could for the life of me tell you WHY I knew that.
As my friends and I walked out of the movie theatre, I was surprised that I felt invigorated and wanted to keep them with me so I could share with them the joy and security found in Jesus the Christ. And now, a day later, I wonder if that may be my only mission on earth, to share the story of God�s love
I, too, felt this exuberance. I wanted to jump up and down and shout and sing. People were sitting in stunned silence and I wanted to get up on stage and shout about the salvation that is there for them with Christ. My husband, sensing that I might do soemthing strange pulled me along out of the theater. There were people who were standing in the hallway just looking mortified, but all I could say was Did you see what the Lord did for us!? We're free!! We're saved!! I was happy!! Isn't that strange?

Janey,

My Dad and Mom saw the movie and my dad said that ,y 13 year old son should not see it because of the violence....my son responded that he has probably seen worse. He did remark afterwards that it was hard for him to watch because he feels like he knows Jesus and felt angry at the people who were torturing him. My brother said the same things.