“THE PASSION OF CHRIST”
The film by Mel Gibson
It was a long time, for me to watch a movie in a theatre and the
few reviews appeared in Gulf Press and the early hic-ups not to
release the film for public viewing, in certain parts of Arabian
Gulf countries, by respective censor boards, created a special
curiosity to book the ticket in a nearby Al-Shatti Cinema Hall, in
Muscat, on a weekend.
This is surely not a review of that masterpiece - pictured on
Christ’s life of last 12-15 hours in a nutshell, but simply my
sincere feelings after watching these 2.05 hours.
Unlike the normal and liberal expression of public, while watching
any other film, it was a special atmosphere in the hall just like
I was in a Church! May be because of the majority Muslim
spectators respect Jesus as one of the Prophets or those touchy
scenes one after the other or for some, deep involvement in the
divine passion of Christ unfolding live on a silver screen!
The film begins with Garden of Gethsemane, as Jesus sweats blood –
foreseeing his coming ordeal in the hands of Jews and Roman
authorities. Only the Satan whispering that ‘one man alone cannot
bear the burden of the world’s sin’ is the difference what we read
in Gospel.
Other events narrated follows exactly what is written in Bible -
the betrayal by Judas, the kiss of death, and then is taken to
assembly of the Sanhedrin, where Christ is condemned for blasphemy
for challenging Jewish Temple Laws! It is in front of Pontius
Pilate, the Roman Prefect and Caesar’s representative in ‘ this
stinking outpost’, to be sentenced. Pilate’s wife’s role was
played to perfection with emotions and the their effects on her
husband. The dilemma of Pilate to risk a rebellion by the same
crowed sung hosannas, now wants him to be crucified, here the Jews
and their pressure tactics well presented, ultimately the Roman
protectorate order an innocent man to be put to death, and wash
his hands! The entire movie keeps everyone spellbound for next one
hour…and whipping, the scourging, the way to Golgotha and nailing
to the Cross are enough to make the most hardened of stomachs
revolt.
As the very title reads it is “The passion of Christ”
– (the passion is a Biblical term that refers specifically to
the last hours of Jesus’ life, from the last Supper to the
crucifixion) the film stick to its theme with few flashback
events of Jesus childhood, events related to Mary of Magdala and
her conversion, the last supper etc. One might have seen many
films based on Jesus and his life but a movie entirely based on
his passion may the first one. The man in chains, with one eye
swollen shut with broken body send the underlining message as an
example of the mortal who had the courage to turn the other cheek
even to the very end!!
What I feel is the film will appeal deep in one’s heart, if one
know or heard, read or believe Jesus, as the experience is back to
basics of the religion in a way Jesus walking the talk. Some of
our colleagues un-comfortable with the violence, brutality and as
it are event specific, isolated from the life and teachings of
Jesus. In other words it is not universal in appeal but one third
of the population who follows him in different measurement an
occasion to understand his faith.
Director Mel Gibson based the script on Holy books ventured to
bring the best in his less known artists James Caviezel as Jesus
at his best and Mother Mary too poignantly enacted by silent
Morgenstern to perfection. Roles like that of Peter, (looks
very young) Judas, Pilate, his wife, Simon of Syrian, Mary of
Magdala, the Jewish Priests are very effective and will be
remembered.
On 7th May the film also released all over India and in
Mangalore Prabhath theatre is going houseful is a must see
film for Catholics. It is recommended as adult movie and is shot
in Latin and Aramaic with sub-titles in local languages.
At last, let me share one of my less known friends gesture – he
purchased about a dozen tickets on a week end and took some
non-Catholics, primarily Hindus and drove them straight to
theatre, all happily watched the movie…, yes this is his way of
spreading the good-news… rather introducing Christ to his
neighbours….
P. Archibald Furtado,
Muscat,
8th May 2004. |
