First off, I waited until The Passion came out on video, then used my free rental coupon and fast forwarded through the worst parts–leaving me with maybe 15-20 watchable minutes of film.
So. Now The Passion Recut is coming out. As I understand it, they’ve clipped about five or six minutes from the film and worked in some angles and shots that will soften some of the most extreme portions. Example: you’ll see a hammer coming down but not necessarily a nail being driven into a hand. Or you’ll see the scourging from a wide or long shot instead of so many close-ups.
Okay…I can see re-releasing this film for Easter purposes, but I don’t see how it’s going to reach more people. It’s still very rough going. It’s not as if it’s okay to take the kiddies along now (although some people did).
Is anybody here going to see the recut version who didn’t see the original?
Comments?
Ironic, ain’t it? What Gibson and Co. actually believe is that the slightly softened version will make people realize that it’s supposed to convey a message of love…which I still don’t get, because it’s so brutal that you feel beaten up after watching it–or even pieces of it, as I did.
You guys don’t understand. They did a little token re-editing so they could re-release it as a “different” version at Easter and make some more $$$ from it. That’s all. There’s no point in getting worked up about whether or not the editing accomplishes its purported purpose, because its only real purpose is to provide an excuse for another theatre run for extra profit.
Softening? The Passion? Huh? Does not compute. There’s no way eliminating, shortening, or using long focus shots is ever going to make that movie “soft.” Nor will these techniques change the focus of the film from anything other than brutal torture.
Sometimes I think that it’s truly too bad Gibson made this film. What a wasted opportunity.
When I saw the title, I couldn’t help but think The Passion: Reloaded
(Keanu Reeves in a black frock coat as Christ confronts the Devil, a guy in a white suit with a supercilious manner, in a room full of TV monitors)
Devil: (gesturing to monitors) All these kingdoms of the Earth can be yours, if you choose the Door that I want. You’re not really the first Christ, you know.
I’m torn trying to decide if Gibson is simply trying to make more bux from the recut version, or just trying to hammer (sorry) some more proselytizing home. Regardless, I won’t be watching this version either.
My guess is that he’s not as interested in attracting new viewers so much as previous viewers who might be willing to see it again, but aren’t quite sure they’re able to handle that much gore a second time. Amongst the “Passion” viewers I know personally, that would be a very large percentage.
As for me, didn’t see it the first time, won’t see it this time. I might have been interested in seeing it as a movie (rather than “as a religious experience”) but for all the discussion of Mel Gibson’s additions to the story. Well that, and the fact that while I’m not opposed to violence or gore, I’m also not into loving depictions thereof.
Quoting from Yellowval:
“That was my first thought exactly: Hey, it’s almost Easter! Let’s re-release the film and capitalize a whole bunch more on the crucifixion!”
Well, that was my first thought also.
My second thought was, if you want to see film about carrying out some the good things Jesus supposedly said, go see “Hotel Rwanda” instead. I’d much rather see a film about someone trying to love and help his fellow man in the midst of genocidal madness, than watch a film about one man’s brutal killing.
Sorry, it’s something I recall hearing on the news. I can’t properly load or listen to the official site from this stupid computer here at work, but Gibson may have something about it in his introduction within the site: www.passionrecut.com
