Heralded by extensive media coverage, not all of it positive, Mel Gibson's film, The Passion of the Christ opens in cinemas all over the UK on 27 March. The distributors arranged for a preview showing for church leaders in Cambridge last Tuesday. Is it worth seeing? Is it worth inviting a non-Christian friend to come with you? Your roving film correspondent offers a few thoughts.
This is a biblically based film. Mel Gibson has given us a straightforward presentation of the final hours of Jesus' life, from his prayer in Gethsemane to his resurrection. It is based very closely on the gospel narratives, particularly on John. Some scenes owe more to Gibson's imagination or church tradition than to Scripture but these seemed to harmonise acceptably with the Bible story. Mary has a more constant presence than the gospel writers give us but I did not feel that Gibson's highly traditional Roman Catholicism distorted the moving portrait of a mother watching her son suffer and die.
This is a well-made film. Gibson has poured $30m of his own money into its making and he has spent it well. Historical detail is recreated painstakingly. The sets and costumes are convincing. The camera work and music are equal to any. The acting is first rate. Even the bold decision to have the actors speak in Latin and Aramaic with English subtitles worked brilliantly. Overall it has the mark of a highly professional piece of cinema - and I mean that positively. As an artistic achievement it is impressive.
This is a violent film. Mel Gibson has not gone beyond the gospel accounts of the way Jesus was treated. But he has shown in detail what the gospel writers refer to briefly. John describes the flogging of Jesus in a single verse (John 19:1). The film takes 20 minutes to show us a shocking and horrifying scene, full of blood and brutality. We are not spared other details like the crown of thorns, the abuse of the soldiers, the carrying of the cross, and the nailing of Jesus' hands. The effects on Jesus' body of the hours of sustained violence are portrayed through all too convincing special effects.
This is a subtle film. There is much more here than the explicit violence. Brief flashback scenes from Jesus' childhood and early adulthood flesh out the humanity of the Lord. Aspects of his teaching are used to illuminate the unfolding events. Jesus' struggle with God's will in Gethesemane, the continual presence of Satan, the dilemma that Pilate faced, the agony of Peter's betrayal, the role of Judas - these are all pictured thought-provokingly and with theological and pastoral sensitivity.
This is a gospel film. It opens with the words of Isaiah 53:5: 'He was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace was upon him. And by his wounds we are healed.' This beginning, enhanced by flashbacks to Jesus' teaching throughout the film show that the horrific violence has a point to it - he was suffering for us.
This is a spiritually moving and upbuilding film. At least it was for me and the other Eden staff members who came with me. The opening quotation from Isaiah 53 provided a meaning for the explicit violence: 'he suffered for me'. The final scene showing the risen Christ striding from the tomb was a glorious moment of triumph.
Should you go and see it? I think it would be a spiritually uplifting experience for many adult Christians. However it is only right to warn you that it does carry an 18 certificate because of the extended scenes of brutality. You may well decide that you want to avoid it for that reason.
Should you invite a non-Christian friend? By all means. Providing that they are warned about the explicit brutality in advance, this film would give them a gripping evening's viewing and a unique opening for the gospel. I can imagine few people who would not be held by the unfolding drama and who would not want to discuss it afterwards. As such it presents the most marvellous chance to introduce people to Jesus and to explain why he had to suffer so much - all through a first class piece of cinema.
A final thought. We are sometimes told we live in a post-Christian society and in some ways that it so. But it is remarkable that a privately made film which has been vilified as anti-Semitic and ultra-violent, has made such a big impact. In America total ticket sales in the first two weeks after release have passed $200 million - a level of interest only matched by blockbusters like Titanic and the Lord of the Rings. It seems that a culture which is on the run from God, cannot escape its own fascination with the death of his Son. We should pray that God uses this film to bring many to faith - and I would encourage you to consider inviting someone to come with you to see it.
Julian