The Passion of Mel Gibson's Christ

04.13.2004

After finally seeing The Passion of the Christ, I figure I can weigh in w/ an educated opinion on the highly polemic film. First, I don't think the film's antisemitic. Secondly, I don't think the film deviated from the "message" of Jesus. Third, I think it was a pretty faithful portrayal of standard Catholic traditions.

The third, I think, is what made the film stand out. Gibson wasn't trying to make a "modern" film w/ an updated Jesus speaking to contemporary times. The Passion merely put on film what any Catholic experiences during the various Holy Thursday & Good Friday liturgies. If you're not familiar w/ these, the film won't make much sense. You can divide the film into two parts: Holy Thursday & Good Friday. Holy Thursday covers the trial of Jesus. Good Friday covers the crucifixion.

If you're familiar w/ the Good Friday tradition of stations of the cross, the second part of the film is pretty routine. No surprises. Devout Catholics gather on Good Friday for a liturgy that goes through 14 stations, usually involving a procession of some sort where parishioners carry a cross. The 14 stations are:

  1. Jesus is condemned to die
  2. Jesus carries his cross
  3. Jesus falls for the first time
  4. Jesus meets his mother
  5. Simon helps Jesus carry his cross
  6. Veronica wipes Jesus' face (creating the Shroud of Turin Veronica's Veil)
  7. Jesus falls the second time
  8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
  9. Jesus falls the third time
  10. Jesus is stripped
  11. Jesus is nailed to the cross
  12. Jesus dies on the cross
  13. Jesus is taken down from the cross
  14. Jesus is laid in the tomb

Gibson's The Passion has all the stations, in order, and w/ a focus on each. Essentially, it's a liturgical film (a Hollywood oddity, sure). But this means that what mainstream audiences see as just a prolonged march to crucifixion, is merely a filming of the annual Good Friday liturgy (which itself usually takes over an hour).

The film's been accused of being anti-semitic. I disagree. The film clearly portrayed both "good" & "bad" Jews in various complexities. According to the gospel traditions, Jesus was tried by the Jewish high council (representing the priestly aristocracy). But the gospels also make clear (as does the movie) that Jesus was A) popular among the Jewish poor, B) teaching a form of worship w/ direct access to God (hence, a threat to the priestly aristocracy), and C) tried in secret w/ many council members (including pro-Jesus sympathizers) absent.

Although you see the scene where a crowd demands that Pontius Pilate "crucify him!" — you get a clear sense that this is a small crowd, clearly fomented by Caiphas & some other priests. (Interestingly, the Holy Thursday liturgy involves a read/response where parishioners must also call out "crucify him!" several times — the point is that we all are to blame.) On the long march to Calvary, you see Roman soldiers fight w/ crowds (clearly, Jews) protesting Jesus' crucifixion.

The film doesn't make a case that "the Jews" killed Jesus — plenty of blame can be handed to the Romans. The film's point is simply that he suffered, died, etc. (notice that even the resurrection is barely alluded to). Of course, had Gibson made a non-liturgical film, there would've been stronger character development making this clear (one assumes). But. This was a liturgical film.

Posted by Miguel at 04:43 PM

Comments

Very nice coment,I totally agree with you, I must add that the film is not as violent and crude as some stated (not that it isn't). The asset of the film, for me, is that it focuses on Christ human, besides the very humane evil presence, weird kids, and a crow, it is a mundane historic film; no multi million high tech special effects, miracles or demons. My comment was larger but i decide to post in my blog, didn't want to be a freerider on your blog :).

Posted by: Daniel at April 13, 2004 06:14 PM

Interesting, the responsorial, "Crucify him!". I have never heard of that being done before, but it makes a point.

In the Lutheran Church, it is called Maundy Thursday, and I have always found the services and the readings to be very thought-provoking.

Posted by: cat at April 14, 2004 12:08 AM

@Miguel

I mostly agree with your view of the film. Although being familar with the stations of the cross, I didn't find them that obvious while watching the movie. I am glad you pointed that out.
To station 6:
there are two famous pieces of cloth. I apologize for only knowing the German terms, but as far as I know the shroud of Turin is the one Jesus was buried in. The one from his tomb. His whole body is supposed to be visible on it. The one mentioned in station 6 is the other one, I think. Only having his face. I don't know where it is today. I don't think it is Turin. But please help me out here, because I am not quite sure.

@cat
Maundy Thursday... I wonder if that comes from the verb to mourn. The German term for this day is Gründonnerstag (literally green thursday). Originally it used to be Greindonnerstag, though.
And greinen means to mourn.

Posted by: Marco at April 14, 2004 04:34 AM

As to the shroud comment. I think you're right, Marco. But this was definitely another famous shroud, merely known as "Veronica's Veil" (online here).

Posted by: Miguel at April 14, 2004 04:09 PM

thanks for the link.

Posted by: Marco at April 14, 2004 04:31 PM