# Is Passion of the Christ worth watching? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 7, 2005, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-passion-of-the-christ-worth-watching/334547 "2005-12-07T19:25:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Tikster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@Tikster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tikster)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-passion-of-the-christ-worth-watching/334547/61 "2005-12-09T14:18:43Z")
I’m not religious, and I liked it. Sure, it’s not something I’ll _enjoy_ watching that often - but it was good, and I might watch it again sometime. I recommend it, it certainly moved something in me. But as others have said, maybe not as part of a cosy evening. -Tikster ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-passion-of-the-christ-worth-watching/334547/62 "2005-12-09T14:25:47Z")
> [@The Weird One](#): > > I’m sure that all the violence is much more realistic than what is usually shown in movies, but why would that change my aversion to it? I agree with much of Jesus’ teachings, but I’m not Christian. Maybe if I were, I would feel differently about watching PotC, but I don’t see the appeal of watching someone being tortured. We C’tians “fans” of PotC didn’t go see it because watching Christ’s suffering was appealing, but because we believe it to be good for us to see what He went through for our salvation. Obviously, you’re not the audience for whom the movie was made- it doesn’t say anything bad about you or the movie, that’s just how it is. ---
**Author:** ![Mal\_Adroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-passion-of-the-christ-worth-watching/334547/63 "2005-12-09T20:44:52Z")
Violent, sure. Gory, yes. But aside from maybe the flogging scene, nothing seriously difficult to watch. It’s a movie depicting events that are central to one particular group of people’s faith. I wouldn’t presume to mock or scoff away a film that graphically depicted a tale that’s crucial to the Muslim or Hindu religion. I’d say, well, these scenes don’t hold spiritual signifigance for me, but if it helps some of those people feel closer to their faith, rock on. It would seem Catholics aren’t often afforded that consideration. ---
**Author:** ![booksawesomefun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@booksawesomefun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/booksawesomefun)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-passion-of-the-christ-worth-watching/334547/64 "2016-03-20T17:40:26Z")
in my thought is no not worth watching i watch on video when i was like 13 something like that why do think some of bible is true but the movie is nothing strong bloody violence and look back at be 13 or somthing like that i wish did not rent the movie like scary movies can take handle gore but that movie was over too graphic and disgusting can’t believe parents kids young as 5 and ten to r rated movie !!! ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-passion-of-the-christ-worth-watching/334547/65 "2016-03-20T17:46:47Z")
> [@booksawesomefun](#): > > in my thought is no not worth watching i watch on video when i was like 13 something like that why do think some of bible is true but the movie is nothing strong bloody violence and look back at be 13 or somthing like that i wish did not rent the movie like scary movies can take handle gore but that movie was over too graphic and disgusting can’t believe parents kids young as 5 and ten to r rated movie !!! This thread is eleven years old. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-passion-of-the-christ-worth-watching/334547/66 "2016-03-20T17:47:19Z")
> [@Menocchio](#): > > No. > > It’s nothing but violence. Gibson had to invent acts of violence that are not mentioned in any gospel or in Judeo/Roman history just to satisfy his religious bloodlust. > > I’m a big fan of horror movies. Including the hugest gorefests imaginable, but never have I seen graphic acts of torture displayed in just gleeful graphic detail for such a long period of time. And what’s worse, this is all in sadistic realism presented with grim resolve, not the cartoonish bucket of bloods approach. > > There’s no discussion of Jesus’ teachings. There’s a little character work with Peter, Herod, and Judas, but it’s all sideshow to the grand guginol of Jesus being whipped over and over again. The cinematography is pretty good, it’s a pity what they shot was so despicable. > > If you want to leave during the scenes of graphic violence, bring a book. You won’t be atching this film. This is how I felt about it, and I’m Christian. p.s. Didn’t realize it was a zombie thread until I scrolled up. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-passion-of-the-christ-worth-watching/334547/67 "2016-03-20T18:33:49Z")
Well, it’s near Easter, so appropriate for a resurrection. I’ve seen almost every major Jesus movie and still won’t watch this one. Anyone remember the version that was released in 2005 that attempted to edit out some of the violence? It flopped miserably, no sure if it was because of the edit, or that everyone who was a potential viewer of the movie has already seen it. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-passion-of-the-christ-worth-watching/334547/68 "2016-03-20T20:33:38Z")
I was shocked that they decided to kill off the main character in this movie. Very edgy. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-passion-of-the-christ-worth-watching/334547/69 "2016-03-20T20:47:45Z")
Don’t worry. He comes back in the sequal. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-passion-of-the-christ-worth-watching/334547/70 "2016-03-20T21:05:50Z")
Not worth watching, imho. Rather boring story of a guy who undergoes some sort of religious epiphany, so he starts writing a bunch of letters. ---
**Author:** ![capybara](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/capybara/32/202_2.png) [@capybara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capybara)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-passion-of-the-christ-worth-watching/334547/71 "2016-03-20T21:17:55Z")
I study religious art (European 15th-16th century stuff) and it’s the most… it’s the most 15th-century film I’ve seen. I am not religious, personally, to say the least, but I found it an interesting anthropological experience and knew the late-medieval/early modern sources Gibson was pulling from which made it perhaps more amusing; had fun picking out anti-semitic dog whistles. It’s not a first-century movie, but a 15th-century one. I thought it worthwhile. ETA-- ugh, fucking zombie Jesus. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-passion-of-the-christ-worth-watching/334547/72 "2016-03-20T21:23:15Z")
Well, yes, zombie Jesus is actually kind of the point of the story, but the consensus is that the movie took a gory way to get there. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-passion-of-the-christ-worth-watching/334547/73 "2016-03-20T21:28:58Z")
> [@capybara](#): > > I study religious art (European 15th-16th century stuff) and it’s the most… it’s the most 15th-century film I’ve seen. I am not religious, personally, to say the least, but I found it an interesting anthropological experience and knew the late-medieval/early modern sources Gibson was pulling from which made it perhaps more amusing; had fun picking out anti-semitic dog whistles. It’s not a first-century movie, but a 15th-century one. I thought it worthwhile. > ETA-- ugh, fucking zombie Jesus. Sorry. You should scroll up to your post, #55. It’s very interesting and in the same vein as this post 😃 ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-passion-of-the-christ-worth-watching/334547/74 "2016-03-20T21:31:42Z")
I know this is a zombie, but I’ll just answer the question as if it had just been asked. It depends entirely on what you want to get out of it. If you want the most brutal depiction of Jesus on the Cross to date, to help you with the appreciation of what Jesus did for you, then have at it. If you want to see what people are talking about, watch it, but with the fast forward button. There are some cool scenes–most of which are when Jesus isn’t around. If you expect any sort of story to be told, or if you have no religious connection and hate “torture porn,” then it’s really not for you. If you do have a religious connection, but get grossed out by other depictions of Jesus, don’t watch it. Personally, I’m normally not a fan of gore, but I’d had the movie hyped up so much that I was expecting a lot worse. So I didn’t find it all that bad. I felt a little of what I was supposed to feel–the catharsis–but I didn’t have any sort of religious experience. My family bought the DVD. It’s still in the wrapper. None of us have wanted to see it again. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-passion-of-the-christ-worth-watching/334547/75 "2016-03-20T22:23:32Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > This thread is eleven years old. he said he’d be back - its just taking longer than expected. ---
**Author:** ![Subterraneanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Subterraneanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subterraneanus)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-passion-of-the-christ-worth-watching/334547/76 "2016-03-20T23:45:25Z")
> [@Ponder\_Stibbons](#): > > What with all the money this made, what’re the chances of there being a _Passion of the Christ II_? 😃 _There once was a fellow named “Jesus,” Whose coming again is to please us, Unless we are bad— So he said, the glib lad; I bet he just wanted to tease us._ ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2016, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-passion-of-the-christ-worth-watching/334547/77 "2016-03-21T15:54:46Z")
Zombie thread or not, I’ll answer anyways ;). I watch the Passion of the Christ every year on Good Friday or Holy Saturday (I’m a Christian, FWIW). I thought, originally, that I’d hate it, but I found it incredibly moving and powerful. It was gory, but no more than some other things I’ve seen. It tends to fully encapsulate the suffering of Christ - something that the Lutherans I belong to tend to sanitize quite a bit (out Good Friday service has roses on the cross to symbolize the blood). It is quite meaningful to me to get out of that sanitized mindset and to see what the disciples of Christ (as “you were there” type of film, that’s who would mostly identify with, I’d imagine) would have to deal with and their despair. I especially liked the use of Aramaic, Hebrew, and Latin… though I do use the subtitles. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2016, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-passion-of-the-christ-worth-watching/334547/78 "2016-03-21T16:14:09Z")
Speaking as a Christian, I had some appreciation for it. It was an interesting interpretation of the passion narrative in the Gospels with many later traditions grafted on, and for me it was interesting to see the story through a conservative Catholic lens. If I were making the movie, as a liberal protestant, I would have done things differently and I like thinking about how Mel and I approached the story differently. As a movie buff, I thought the film had its strengths and weaknesses. The decision to use the ancient tongues was ambitious and daring and I think they pulled it off really well (I don’t know if the accuracy of the language has been questioned, but for the purposes of the film it doesn’t really matter). The pacing was good; it was mostly well-cast and I liked the costumes. It at least had the _appearance_ of authenticity. I understood why Gibson felt that the depiction of the blood and gore was necessary – we was going for a true cathartic experience. I probably would have dialed it back a notch. And the final resurrection scene – well, he should have gone with his original instinct and left it out. As religious dogma, the resurrection is of utmost importance; but it didn’t fit with this film. Is it worth seeing? If you’re neither a Christian nor interested in film as a craft, probably not. If you fall into either of these categories, then it might be worth a watch. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2016, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-passion-of-the-christ-worth-watching/334547/79 "2016-03-21T19:14:55Z")
Speaking as an atheist, I enjoyed it, to an extent. I thought it was well filmed and well performed. Say what you will about Mel Gibson, he’s a really good director. The thing about it that I thought made it worthwhile is the fact that it isn’t a whitewash. Jesus doesn’t walk around in pristine white robes with a glow around him looking like he just got back from surfing. He looks of the time - Semitic, gritty, grimey, like he might have just stepped out of 2,000 years ago. I also appreciated the original languages. I find that sort of thing fascinating … to hear a dead tongue used conversationally. Now, I also appreciated the fact that a scourge across his back looked like he got a scourge across his back and not like someone spilled some ketchup on him … but, come on, enough’s enough. It’s not the gore that got to me, it was the monotony of it. I think I once described it as an hour-long cycle of - Jesus gets tortured, Jesus falls down, Jesus gets up, repeat. At one point I think I muttered under my breath, “Ok, we get it. Let the fucker get up on the cross, ferchrissakes.” ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-passion-of-the-christ-worth-watching/334547/80 "2016-03-22T05:07:41Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > I also appreciated the original languages. I find that sort of thing fascinating … to hear a dead tongue used conversationally. Except they use Latin instead of Greek, since it’s really just a dramatization of the Catholic Stations of the Cross. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-passion-of-the-christ-worth-watching/334547.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-passion-of-the-christ-worth-watching/334547.md?page=5)