Film Review by Andrew Jackson

The Passion of The Christ

Directed and Produced by Mel Gibson

"It is as it was", allegedly declared the Pope, stating that 
Mel Gibson's The Passion of The Christ is an accurate 
account of events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. 
Yes, the Pope is very, very old but frankly, he wasn't there. And 
this is where The Passion falls down.

The Passion of The Christ has divided and polarised 
critics and audiences — both religious and secular — in a way 
perhaps not seen since The Exorcist in 1973.

On the one hand there are those who say the unrelenting and 
excruciatingly graphic scenes of torture, violence and murder are 
so overworked it kills off any enjoyment that otherwise might 
have been gained from the film.

Yet those who promote The Passion claim the visual horror 
is an accurate portrayal of Jesus' crucifixion — as recounted by 
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the New Testament.

And therein lies the problem.

While professing the film's truth on television Mel Gibson 
admitted to the interviewer: "I cannot remove myself from the 
equation".

Mel is affiliated to Opus Dei, a cult-like fundamentalist and 
supremacist faction within the Catholic Church whose teachings 
and practices are of concern to many Catholics, including many 
clergy. (There is evidence to suggest that the present Pope is a 
keen supporter of Opus Dei. For example, he gave Opus Dei the 
privilege of having its own Bishop and he is proceeding towards 
the canonisation of the founder of Opus Dei.)

Therefore from the outset we are watching "Mel Gibson's Inspired 
Version of the Four Gospels".

It is also an established fact that up until the King James 
Version the Four Gospels themselves had been rewritten and 
retranslated numerous times to suit the Church of the day. 
Numerous other Gospels giving account of Jesus' life — including 
one by Mary Magdalene — have been discarded completely.

Even Matthew, Mark, Luke and John themselves were writing of 
events as observed through human eyes and only as remembered some 
years after the crucifixion took place.

A true recreation based on scientifically-proven historical facts 
this is not.

Examining just one simple scene of the film shows the extent to 
which history and science are set aside so as not to spoil a 
great story.

As Jesus struggles under the weight of the cross a young woman 
rushes forward to wipe his face. An imprint of Jesus' bloodied 
visage is visible — a nod to the Shroud of Turin, which has for 
centuries been touted by the Catholic Church as a holy icon.

The Turin shroud first surfaced in 1355 in Lirey, France, and was 
immediately claimed to be the authentic burial shroud of Jesus.

But as early as 1389, Bishop Pierre d'Arcis of Lirey wrote to 
Pope Clement VII and explained how a predecessor, Bishop Henri de 
Poitiers, had "discovered the fraud and how the said cloth had 
been cunningly painted, the truth being attested by the artist 
who had painted it"

Modern scientific analysis has confirmed the Bishop's statement -
- that the Shroud is a product of the 14th century.

Yet the myth continues to be perpetuated, with revisionist 
"scientists" and "historians" continuing to attest to the 
Shroud's authenticity, and declaring those scientists who have 
denounced the Shroud as having an "agenda".

Likewise there have been numerous historians and theologians come 
forward to denounce The Passion of the Christ. Mel Gibson 
has openly declared that those who oppose his film are "agents" 
of "dark forces" who are "conspiring to prevent the truth being 
told".

Setting aside the "True Story" element of The Passion for 
a moment, what is left for the film-goer? Lashings of blood and 
gore — literally.

And apart from Christians who are seeking to rekindle their faith 
via a blood-drenched horror-induced catharsis, this film has 
limited appeal to a wider audience

To enhance The Passion's authenticity Mel Gibson had the 
film scripted in the "original" Latin and Aramaic languages. 
While this is an added torture for most viewers it would be a 
god-send to students of those languages — a once-in-a-lifetime 
opportunity to hear them spoken in conversation outside of a 
university class.

If you have a penchant for History Channel high-budget docu-
dramas, or Spartacus-type Hollywood recreations of ancient 
legends this would certainly provide an afternoon's entertainment 
— if you have the iron stomach to match the iron nails which are 
pounded through Jesus' wrists.

And if you do enjoy the film and want to take home a little 
memento of the occasion be sure to drop by The Passion's 
website for an array of movie merchandise that would put 
Lord of the Rings to shame.

Mugs, framed stills, and a stunning array of jewellery — lapel 
pins, necklaces, bracelets, pendants and crosses featuring 
Aramaic inscriptions and Biblical verses — are all available for 
purchase.

Or for as little as A$17 you can have a replica pewter 
crucifixion nail complete with leather cord.

Along with these are a wealth of specially designed "witness 
tools" to help you capture the hearts and minds of expectantly 
stunned audience members as they exit the cinema. (A pack of 25 
Aramaic Witness Cards will set you back only $8.)

Wise old Bishop d'Arcis warned the Pope back in 1389 that a 
church official was "falsely and deceitfully, being consumed with 
the passion of avarice, and not from any motive of devotion but 
only of gain, falsely declaring and pretending that this was the 
actual shroud in which our Saviour Jesus Christ was enfolded in 
the tomb".

Mel Gibson should hear those words and hang his head in shame.

The Passion of The Christ is now showing at cinemas 
everywhere, and is rated MA for strong violence.