Readers respond to 'The Passion'

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This movie should have more accurately been titled, "The Flogging of the Christ." It's easily the most sadistic, unpleasant, violent and pointless movie I have seen. This movie has absolutely nothing to say except CRUCIFIXION IS BAD. Which means it really only speaks to the few viewers who were confused and thought crucifixion was not-so-bad. It adds nothing to the story of Jesus' last hours before crucifixion. What it does do is absolutely revel in the most gleefully sadistic scenes of torture and suffering ever committed to film. Mel Gibson seems to enjoy some torture so much he needs to show us the same incident over and over. Just when you think you've seen all you're going to see of one particular form of degradation Mel heaps on another serving — or three.

Mel Gibson believes that slow-motion dripping blood enhanced with sound effects of spurting blood will heighten one's understanding of Christ's suffering, and I do not agree. I really don't think this movie has anything to offer anyone whatsoever. I know that's going a long way but it's so heartlessly violent that a little more than halfway through I was going to walk out of the theater because I no longer had compassion for the characters — I was simply numb from the violence. It's torture heaped on top of torture and to what end? We already know the story, and this visualization has only served to leave me with images that I would like to have out of my head. I'd get into the shower right now if I thought there was some way to clean the ugliness of this film off me. Again, I can't encourage you enough to avoid this painfully sadistic film.
— Greg Vernon, Seattle

I thought the film was very good. It was far more graphic than I imagined and it makes you feel the conviction of Jesus to bear unending torture to forgive us our sins. The film has caused me to go back and re-read the Gospels and understand more fully the miracle he gave us. In no way has it incited any negativity towards Jews.
— Greg Headley, Kirkland

The Book is better than the movie.
— Molly McCullough, Edmonds

When I first heard about the movie, I was very skeptical because I wasn't always sure if I agreed with Mel Gibson's theology. But I looked past that and when I watched the movie I was in awe of the movie's ability to weave the Gospels together to really show how much unbearable physical pain Jesus went through for us. I teared up as I remembered again how much Jesus sacrificed for our sins.

As far as the anti-Semitism piece, that is totally unfounded. I guess one critique would be that I think the movie was too lenient on Pontius Pilate because historically he was known as a ruthless ruler. But other than that, I think it shows a story of how people in power, whether Jew or gentile, will try everything to keep it, even kill an innocent man. This movie is a must-watch for Christians and non-Christians, Jews and gentiles.
— Christian Chin, Seattle

Having seen the movie it seems a lot of the controversy about it was pure hype. In no way would this movie hurt my respect for the Jewish faith. It is not a movie that a young child should see — no exceptions should be made. It is bloody and brutal but deeply, deeply moving.
— Camille Richards, Maple Valley

I have seen maybe a couple thousand movies in my lifetime. I own nearly 1,000 DVDs, many of them dramas because I loved to be moved. I'm not a spiritual person, but I was deeply moved by this film. Just standing waiting for the bus to take me home after seeing it this morning at the Neptune had me wondering how much this movie will affect me in the most basic ways. A great film. If your children want to see it, make sure they do so with an adult. Then again, I imagine most adults would like to have someone's hand to hold on to throughout the film and someone to talk to afterwards. One of the best movies I have ever seen. Thank you.
— Matthew Lankford, Seattle

The movie was brilliant — it is bar none the best movie I have ever encountered. The acting was superb, and the movie has given new meaning to me on many spiritual levels. I can't wait to see it again, as well as purchase the DVD when available, so that I can watch it over and over again. This movie will not incite anger against the Jews. The media is inciting this type of hatred, not the movie. The movie portrays the love of God for all people. It was for the most part biblically accurate, not violent, but presented the amazing sacrifice of Jesus, which I have never been able to visualize the extend of what He did for me. I fell in love with Him all over again.
— Sharon Swann, Mukilteo

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