Saw the "Passion" movie tonight!

[FM2]

Just got back from seeing the Mel Gibson movie and still have my heart in my throat. I'm at a loss for the right words to share how powerful this movie is. During the movie it was like sitting in a funeral, there was no fidgeting in chairs, no talking, no munching on snacks and it was eerily quiet. I've never been in a theater and experienced this level of stillness and it lasted the entire film. During the film I was riveted to my chair, I don't even think I blinked my eyes the entire time. The film was this good and pulled me into some type trance that I could not even move; I was motionless in my chair. There were a few times I even had tears and so did my wife! After the film was over people just sat in their chairs for several minutes until finally someone got up. People were slow to leave and it was like walking through a morgue, no one was talking and people seemed zombie like leaving the auditorium. This film was that powerful!

I don't want to give out to many details about the film but I can honestly say it was awesome! The qualities of the film were outstanding and most know this is a story of the last twelve hours of the earthly life of Jesus. I think the film was accurate following the account of Jesus from the "kiss of Judas", and the trial leading up to the crucifixion. The scenes of Jesus being tortured and whipped are extremely graphic but this brings the "reality" of the suffering Jesus experienced. My heart was heavy during this time and I was petrified in my seat watching this. The scenes of Jesus carrying the cross through the city seemed very, very real, even Mary, the mother of Jesus, the disciple John and Mary Magdalene were seen following the procession. I was blown away by the constant flogging of Jesus as he made the journey to Golgotha, it was superhuman to think anyone could even remotely survive this. And to think Jesus was on his death march and he knew it makes this even more remarkable. The scenes of the nails being driven into his hands and feet were very graphic and I could feel every strike of the hammer.

I don't want to give away anymore of this film, just go and see it and be sure to take friends with you. I’m not so sure about the evangelistic impact this film would have on non-believers unless they might be seeking and will understand the depth of the pain and suffering Jesus endured for all of us.

Please be advised kids under 17 should not view this film, it is rated R. It's extremely graphic but that adds to the realism for people that are mature enough to handle this amount of torture and blood so please be discretionary when taking kids.

Anyone else have the priviledge of seeing it tonight?

Blessings, Keith :smile:

[Hawg Caller]

Cool we've heard so much about it , cant wait to see it. was the theater packed, any trouble getting tickets ? Thanks for the post !

[id. painter]

It is the most powerful story ever told .I have not seen the film , but I sort of know the plot. :grin: id. painter

[Private-Aye-Fish]

Going to the show tomorrow afternoon with my wife.

Phil

[FM2]

I was lucky enough to get invited to a private viewing in Aloha. There were two auditoriums showing the film and both were packed.

Don't miss this film, could possibly be the best film ever made driving home the point of how Jesus suffered for all of us and how because of our sin he died on the cross.

[happybrew]

Actually, I heard the DVD will have alternate endings when it comes out....... :rolleyes: graemlins/1zhelp.gif

happybrew

[Chromaflage]

But we already know the ending :shrug: :wink:

I'm looking forward to it. Our church has rented teh Sandy Theater for a showing the afternoon of the 29th.

ORS

[ 02-24-2004, 12:09 PM: Message edited by: OregonRedside ]

[jokester]

Our church rented out the theater in Cornelius on March 12th, but I don't know if I can wait that long. :shrug: I've wanted to see this movie ever since I heard about it! I guess i'll have to hold out and go with the church and my friends though! Can't wait!! Thanks for the review FM. graemlins/applause.gif

-jokester

[FM2]

hb, where did you hear or read that?

[hankstr]

i have seen good and bad reviews of this movie and WHAT A SURPRISE!! the liberal critics are the ones with the negatives that can't handle the truth of Isaiah 53 vs 5 . or the truth that we are all sinners who without Christ will not see Heaven . that steps on some peoples toes. i like Roger Eberts review of the movie in the Salem paper today, positive...only positive one in the paper out of about 10 of them. i hope to see it when it hits video or dvd.. Hankstr :grin: :grin:

[happybrew]

Tried to get in tonight after Mass, but it was sold out. :depressed: Or perhaps :grin: would be more appropriate!

My wife's class might try to go as a group on Sunday. If so, maybe we'll get a babysitter and go then... if we can get tickets.

I hope Hollywood gets the message from the success this movie is having on its opening weekend. Lots of shows are sold out for the next week.

happybrew

[duckcall]

My wife and I saw it this morning. There was nothing to say after the movie was over. Stillness. It was as if we were actualy there as witnesses and saw His compassion and suffering. It makes scripture come alive with more depth and understanding. The Gospels will take on a new and deeper understanding of our faith and His love for us. See it.

[Norski]

My wife and son, and daughter inlaw, and I are going friday night here in Bend I here that it's getting hard to get a ticket for this.
Being rased in the Luthern church, confurmn, and blesed with water, this is going to be a heart renching stept for our family, My son is now excepted God,
Well give a report on Saturday. Iam getting shivers now.

[King Fisher]

My wife bought tickets for friday. I am a little nervous and scared to see what Christ actually went through. It's easy to talk about, or read in the bible, but to see it on the big screen is going to be an impact. I will post after I see it. Thanks for the review, I look forward to getting everyone's view of the movie.

[happybrew]

I was kidding! There are no alternate endings. :tongue:

[FM2]

got me hb...lol :blush: :smile:

[Amahnee]

I saw the first showing in Sandy yesterday. I cried like a baby through most of it and was emotional until I turned out the lights last night. Very powerful movie!!! I spoke with the theatre manager last night about advertising, she said it was the biggest opening for any movie at the Sandy Regal. Bigger than the Matrix, Lord of the Rings, etc...

[happybrew]

Well, I decided to get a ticket for the late show last night, even though I had to work this morning. I figured it was my best time to go, when all the kids were in bed, and the earlier shows were sold out.

I have a somewhat different opinion of the movie.

I've heard descriptions of what Jesus went through on various internet audio files that moved me to tears. Gibson's movie did not. I felt the scourging scene was overdone and unrealistic, so much so that it seemed gratuitous. There was far too much gore, and it was poorly done at that. I felt it was a substitute for lack of acting. Either that, or it distracted from the acting. The reality of that sort of thing is not exterior, but interior. One can suffer wounds that look painful, but are not. On the other hand, a toothache can be absolutely excruciating. The gore became the central focus of that scene, rather than Christ's interior suffering. I felt that was a mistake. I thought that the way that scene was done detracted a lot from the movie. Quite frankly, I was angry with Mr. Gibson as I watched it. While I felt that the rest of the movie, apart from the necessary gore carried over from the scourging, was very powerful and well done, the gory scourging and its necessary carryover into the rest of the movie made me feel that Gibson was shouting at me, rather than singing to me. Shouting does not convey the range of emotions that singing does. Granted, people who are hard of hearing or not listening may need to be shouted at, but Gibson really overdid it. He could have cut the gore in half and still had a very gory movie, but gotten the message across much better.

We do not show videos of Sadaam Hussein's torture chambers in action in movie theaters, and there is a reason for it. While this movie has certainly a different purpose, the way Gibson overdid the scourging made it border on showing that sort of thing.

happybrew

happybrew

[Amahnee]

No offense but the poor folks that Saddam tortured, weren't tortured for me.

[happybrew]

Very true. Just my impression of the movie. Obviously, most people had a much different impression.

happybrew

[FM2]

hb, you have a point but let me interject your own words: I've heard descriptions of what Jesus went through on various internet audio files that moved me to tears. Gibson's movie did not. I felt the scourging scene was overdone and unrealistic, so much so that it seemed gratuitous. There was far too much gore, and it was poorly done at that. I felt it was a substitute for lack of acting. Either that, or it distracted from the acting. The reality of that sort of thing is not exterior, but interior. One can suffer wounds that look painful, but are not. <font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">do you think if you hadn't heard all the hype and read many articles that you might have a different opinion? We can all put Hollywood into this because it uses actors and not the real characters but given the authenticity of how this related to scripture down to the language, don't you think this overshadows the "Hollywood" image all films get.

The underlying message is very powerful and brings out the suffering Christ endured for us all and even though there might be a lack of technology to express this I think the film conveyed the fact that Christ suffered for you. Perfection has only been achieved by one person, and that person doesn't come from Hollywood so please don't detract from what the meaning of this film is about because of a lack of graphic detail.

But we are all entitled to our opinions!

Blessings, Keith :smile:

[ 02-26-2004, 11:44 PM: Message edited by: FM2 ]

[Amahnee]

I really enjoy all of your thoughts on this subject. It makes think alot more, alot deeper.
It also makes me feel like I have a very simple mind. I appreciate everybody who has written in on this subject.

[Len Spesert]

I liked the movie, but liked the Book better.

[happybrew]

Originally posted by FM2:
The underlying message is very powerful and brings out the suffering Christ endured for us all and even though there might be a lack of technology to express this I think the film conveyed the fact that Christ suffered for you. Perfection has only been achieved by one person, and that person doesn't come from Hollywood so please don't detract from what the meaning of this film is about because of a lack of graphic detail.

[/QB]<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">I agree about the message. For me personally, the message got lost. It wasn't the lack of detail that lost it for me, it was the focus on certain details to the exclusion of others. Perhaps I was a bit hasty in my assessment of the movie. I was thinking about it a lot today. I think that Mel Gibson has done a great thing. It's just that my personal opinion is that the message could have used less graphics and more acting in that one scene. I thought the scene of the Agony in the Garden was very well done, his appearance before the Sanhedrin was truly masterful, and it moved me deeply. His appearance before Pilate was great. I'm not much affected by blood though. When I was at medic school for the Army, the first thing they did on the first day was show us actual war footage of soldiers suffering horrendous injuries from the time they got wounded, with people getting killed trying to extract them, to the time they made it to the operating table. Scores of them. There were people covered head to toe in blood or burns, bullet wounds and horrific amputations. It wasn't as gory in real life film of head to toe wounds as Gibson made the scourging scene out to be. That sort of thing doesn't really get to me, but people's expressions do. If anything, I feel a bit of anger, and a lot of determination when I see it, but not anything spiritual, or sadness, or horror. My urge is to fix the problem, to do something, not to reflect on it. It's something peculiar to me as a person, I guess. Now that I've had a few days to reflect on it, the Passion movie has been affecting me more than it did when I was watching it.

happybrew

[ 02-27-2004, 07:52 PM: Message edited by: happybrew ]

[Raven1]

Good point Len.

I haven't seen the movie yet, but hope to this weekend. It'll be interesting to see how it compares to the hype.

[Blazerboy]

I went and saw the movie, and it really was powerful not much more I can really say. When you think that Jesus did all of that for Me and my sins, that is when it really hits home. I hope that people can get that from the movie and hopefully Christ will do a work in many hearts because of it.

[SharkbaitHoHaHa]

When the movie eneded my heart just broke. I have read the Gospels from front to back. Watched a lot of the other films about Jesus. This one makes me see my savior more than anything in this world. Every time they beat him my heart broke. My heart was pounding out of my chest. Before I went in last night I wondered what I was going to see. I had seen the trailers but that was it. It just broke me. I like the added tuch Mel put in with Satan telling Jesus in the garden that he could not do this and just taunting him. Then through out the film you see his Demons and Satan. I belive Satan was there watching every bit of Christs suffring because he wanted to see if he would really do it. This is what I got out of it: Jesus my Savior gave his all so that I can live in him and be with him in paradise. It will help me and remind me what Jesus truely did for me and the rest of the World. Everytime they hit his back was a sin I HAVE DONE and WILL DO. By his stripes we are healed. I know I am healed by the power of the blood of the lamb that was lead to the slaughter. HE IS ALIVE! AMEN! I also want to say that now I am more on the edge of my seat for the coming of his return to take the ones who belive in him home with him. He still has the scars from what they did to him because he was human. I want to just imbrasses him and fall to my knees and always say Thank You Jesus for doing this for me and the World. It is still brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. No I am not sad but glad that Jesus God's only son did this for me.

[PittsburghD]

Brings new meaning to the words in the worship song, "I'll never know how much it cost to see my sins up on that cross."

For the non-believer, there is plenty to criticize. For the believer, there is plenty to think about before speaking.


---D

[Len Spesert]

There are some parts of the movie that the non-believer will fail to understand that will probably contribute to that criticism. I understand that there simply wasn’t much time to set the scenario before the main theme is played, but having not done so will probably lead to some confusion among the non-believers. For example, the movie opens with Jesus in the Garden, but never explains how he came to be there. Nor does it explain why mankind needs a savior, or that the Messiah (the Christ) would suffer the wrath of God for the sins of mankind.

The movie also uses symbolism and prophecy that may be confusing to the non-believer. For instance, if one has not read Genesis 3:15, then it makes no sense when Jesus stomped the head of the serpent, other than to be a purely human response to a vile snake. When, in fact, this refers to Christ overcoming Evil.

If one has not read Isaiah 53, then the suffering appears to come at the hands of the Jews and the Romans, when in fact according to this scripture, “it pleased the LORD to bruise Him”. Those who have not read this passage will also not know that it says “He bore the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors”.

I do not believe that the true passion came with the beatings, but rather when Jesus, burdened with the sins of mankind, felt the separation from GOD as expressed in his exclamation, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani”, that is "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?". To my mind, the beatings were the final acknowledgement of the fulfillment of the prophecy, but separation was the penalty for the sin. As it was then, so it is today; without the intercession of Jesus, our sins will lead to separation from GOD! This is a hard concept for the non-believer.

[happybrew]

I do not believe that the true passion came with the beatings, but rather when Jesus, burdened with the sins of mankind, felt the separation from GOD as expressed in his exclamation, ?Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?, that is "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?". <font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Exactly!!! I thought that scene in the movie could have been greatly expanded. I thought this theme could have been acted out better in the scourging scene. Our sins separate us from God, and when Jesus took on the burden of those sins, He truly felt the reality of that separation. Our sins wound us, and when Jesus took on that burden, he truly felt what it meant to be wounded.


Luke 4:9-12
9The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. 10For it is written:
" 'He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you carefully;
11they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'[3] "
12Jesus answered, "It says: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'[4]

Jesus willingly gave Himself up. He gave up what the devil tried to tempt him with, which was his power and authority. He took on everything we have done, everything we are ever going to do. I think that this is far more crushing that what the few who participated in the scourging could physically do to him. This is something that can't come across very well in that scene. I think the scourging, while actual and horrible, were at the same time a symbol for the harm that the sins of mankind do. Christ took this harm on himself, and this was horribly more than the sins of the people holding whips at that event. This harm, and this separation from God as Jesus took on the burden of ours sins are not something that lend themselves to graphic representation very well.

happybrew

[King Fisher]

What a clouded imagination I have. After more reading and research, I am blown away with what Christ went through. I knew he went through a lot, but to see it was like as if I were there. The movie had a little"hollywood" in it, but over all was great. I pray and worship with a different sense of pride, to be a child of the living god,JESUS!! I am still saying wow!!

[PittsburghD]

Len, Josh McDowell has a great book on the last moments where God turns his back on Jesus in order to endure our sins. I can't quote the name of it, but one of my fellow brothers carries it around in his beat up Bible cover everywhere.

It leaves an impression.


--D

[bignate]

I saw the movie Sunday and I thought they did a very good job portraying it. I think you would need to know the story first though, otherwise it might not make sence who the people where. the subtitling was hard to follow at the first but you get use to it. over all a great movie.

[feisty's wife]

I am going to go see it this Sunday with my Dad , who is going out with emphysema, so he will see JC before me, must be quite a movie if it has a greater impact than the Lord of the Rings

[SalmonJeff]

this is what I posted regarding the movie on another thread. I thought it would be interesting here as well.


for the first time I am going to post in the chapel.

I am a seminary student of 3 years and I have not seen the movie but have heard about it so many times I dont feel the need to .

However the emphasis on his death to me is not as important as the resurection because if Jesus does not rise it is all for nothing. ( 1st Corinthians 15) the fact that that the movie only spent 1 minute and 5 seconds on the resurection and My profesors thought it was about 12 seconds on the resurection to me ruins the punch. Him beeing beaten is a fact and the events that transpired are " mostly fact"( from the movie aspect) I however dont read of as much Satanic activity as it portrayed or read of Mary coming up to the cross and kissing him and getting covered in his blood. The biblical punch to me is " ok " at the very best. and it is my opinion and only mine that poor biblical teaching is not made up for by length. I would rather not have the movie than have it portrait biblical mis truth's and false hoods. again this is only my 2 scents.

But again I would have liked to hear of more emphasis on the resurection because without it we can not be saved and through it is the only way to be saved as the gospel is clearly spelled out in 1st Corinthians 15:1-5. I would have hoped that the gospel would have been given if you think of all the people that saw it and the gospel was not clearly given. to me that is a missed opurtunity and I would have been overwhelmed with joy if they would have devoted time to the resurection or even in the end just ran the gospel in the credits ( 1st Corithians 15:1-5) But I have to remind myself that it is hollywood and that this is satans world system( eph 2:2).

Anyway that's what I think...

[CAPT KUJO]

I'm with Len...haven't seen the movie but it'll be tough to beat the "book"!! :bowdown: :bowdown:

[Plum Crazy]

Thanks SalmonBjeff,
I was just going to type in that I was just glad to see Him include the resurection for that is the key. I agree that it would have been hard to follow if you weren't already SAVED or schooled. However, It made me think immediatley, that if anyone sees this movie and doesn't make a LIFE change They are fools. I loved eveybit of it. The gore was real to me while I sat with every muscle in my body constricted. It really showed not only the demonic side of his final days but his true pain he endured for us as well. I prayed continuously for my salvation and his sacrifice throughout the movie. Never has a movie made me feel this way. I wouldn't have changed a thing.

If your lurking and have questions about what you saw or missed out in this movie. I urge you to visit a local church and get the word. It'll save your life.
Fire

[SharkbaitHoHaHa]

This is in Repley to Salmonberry Jeff's comments:

First things first. If Jesus did not die on the cross for our sins and just arose from the Dead. Our sins would not be forgiven. For that would mean that he was not dead at all just asleep and then they put him a tomb and he woke up three days later.
If he saved us from our sins then he had to die on the cross. He had to suffer for us to have life in him. In the movie to me the resurection could have been a little more but I feel the point was told that Jesus came to save us from our sins, and He died and arose on the thrird day. The resuration does not save us. It is his blood that does. His resurection tells us that he is alive and he beat death.

On your part of Mary being there all the time. In the Bible it might not say she was there every step of the way BUT She was there at his Crucifiction and when they took him down. I am a Mom and if I was Mary and My son was going through all of this I would want to be there for him. No matter if he was God's Son he was my son to. That is how I think Mary was. She knew this had to happen but her heart still greaved for her son.

You try to point out that the ever presense of Satan in the film seemed to be to much. I think it was right on. In the Gospels it tells us that Jesus was temped in the wilderness. Satan did that. Who do you think tempted him in the Garden? Satan. Who is the one that did not want this to happen? Satan. So he tried his hardest and failed.

You see Satan is not like God. it is not Good VS. Evil. God created this beautiful Angel. Created is the word. Satan is not omnipresent like God is and Jesus. He cannot be every where at once. He has his demons who tell him what things are going on but he cannot read your mind or Jesus mind at all. His demons put out temptations that is you take up that temptation and make it your desire then he has you and he can work that to his advantage. If you want to read a good book on a great decription of Satan and his demons. Read the Screw Tape Letters by C.S. Lewis

I acknolodge that you have been to seminary school but just because you have Bible college expreance does not mean that you undertand things. I am not claiming that I know everything about the Bible but I do know this: When I hear some one teach apon the Bible or a movie such as the passion I go back and make sure that person is teaching it right.

If I am wrong on this please feel free to e-mail me. I will check what youhave to say and then I will get back to you.

[Ryan Pultz]

opps

[ 03-06-2004, 12:00 PM: Message edited by: Ryan Pultz ]

[Ryan Pultz]

Yes the resurrection is a very important part it proved to the world that he was God he can defeat death and He was Gods son. But If I read my bible right it was the sacrifice of the lamb that forgives us of our sin. And Jesus being the unblemished lamb was slain and shed his blood to forgive all that ask for it. And I believe the movie shows perfectly the sacrifice that was made for us.
Yes the resurrection is a glorious and wonderful thing but to me the blood shed on the Cross is what saves me from my sin.
I do not want to down your education nor the views you have this is just the way i have always believed it to be rp

[Booja 1]

Hi Salmonberry,

If you haven't had a chance to see the movie yet, I strongly urge you to do so. Then make up your own mind. You see, I can tell you how much fun it is to catch, say a salmon or an albacore or any other kind of fish but you won't really know what I'm talking about until you actually experience it for yourself.

I like what a Messianic Jew said on the blaming of Jesus' death on the Jews. "How can anyone be blamed for the death of a person who is, in fact, ALIVE?

[Len Spesert]

To PittsburghD,

Actually, I have some idea from having read the original story in the Bible. But, I believe it's good to check out Josh McDowell's book, too.

Thanks.