I have to be careful what I write about this film since I don't want to offend anyone. I am not a believer which is probably why I have not seen this sooner, but it was such a worldwide phenomenon that I felt it should be viewed. Since it was not a religious experience for me, I can only discuss its merits as a movie and by and large I think it was very well done, if not easy to take.
Since it only covered the events leading to the crucifixion and the crucifixion itself (with the brief occasional flashback), it was hard to understand the love and hatred that Jesus inspired. And we were given ample instances of the hatred not only from the baying crowd led by the priests, but in particular from the sadistic treatment of the Roman soldiers. I am something of a horror fan and gore doesn't usually bother me, but this depiction was so over the top in terms of seeking the viewer's compassion that it did become too much. Jim Caviezel in the lead did a fine job, as did most of the European supporting cast, but it's just as well that he is a very religious man (I'm told) as I somehow doubt that his acting was pain-free. As for the film being mainly in Aramaic, I think this was a good idea, since this provided the necessary distance that American or European accents would not have done. In conclusion, I'm not sorry I finally saw this film, but I am unlikely to choose to view it again.
See you all when I'm back next week - PPP
4 comments:
Definitely gory, and Mel Gibson's finest hour. He took a great risk with this one, but as you say got it so right. Saw it when it came out in cinema. It was when bits of flesh were flying of his body when he was being whipped that you had to cover your eyes....
They use an interesting colour pallette in this too - I remember the whole thing looking various shades of brown, maybe that draws you in as well, sets the theme.
Quite unlike anything you'll ever see again. You know the story, of course - the most well known story in the world, but this was time to look at it from a fresh perspective.
Have a nice time in NY - lucky you!
New I'd mentioned it somewhere before......
http://journals.aol.co.uk/ticklatowers/TheJabberwockyOfJuliusJones/entries/1101
Hope you have a lovely time.
I'm not one for this type of film if I go to the cinema it's to watch escapism like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter etc.
But, I did just buy a DVD of a TV film which has been stuck in my head for the last 25 years, Stephen Poliakoff's 'Caught on a Train' with Michael Kitchen and Dame Peggy Ashcroft. My husband, who is a big Michael Kitchen fan had never seen it. We were not disappointed. The nearest thing to a serious film I'm likely to watch.
http://journals.aol.co.uk/lindaggeorge/GeorgeMansions/
I saw this one JP but not when it first came out. Jim did do an excellent job and I thought it well done as a film. I think you needed to know the story to get the gist of it since some parts left it to knowledge to work it out. I think it's one I'd probably see again, especially at this time of year. Rache xx
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