I thought this movie was about Jesus Alou, the late, great baseball player. Gosh, was I disappointed!!!

The film is so focused on Christ's death and how violent and terrible it was, that the film loses any kind of heart and simply becomes about guilt. Essentially, The Passion is the biggest guilt trip in history. The film offers no insight as to what Christ's death taught any of his followers, and simply tells it's viewer that Christ died for them, and now they have to earn it like in Saving Private Ryan. Nothing is learned, and only guilt is felt.… Expand

Those in extreme fringe Christian sects, living in isolated compounds, arming themselves with military weaponry in preparation for the Rapture, will love this movie. Just in case you were considering doing it, showing this film to your kids is child abuse. In fact, to do so would not be much different from beating your child's brand new puppy to death on Christmas morning screaming "This is what Jesus did for YOU! This is how Jesus died for YOU!"… Expand

An exploitive, piece-of-shit of a snuff film. It has no religious or emotional value at all and yes, it is blatantly anti-semetic. Mel Gibson has no talent as a director, he just has a laughable amount of money and a wacked out outlook on religion and culture. You should be ashamed of yourself if you claim this movie reaffirmed your relgious values. Go read a fucking Bible to learn about what Jesus taught, not how he brutally died. If Mel Gibson had done so, we may not of had this hateful lowest-common-denominator crap. An artless and soulless low point in American cinema and pop culture.… Expand

Why?!?!?!?!?! This movie was just bad. Good ole Mel Gibson, spots off a good old fashioned hunk of garbage. I had to go see this "delightful" movie in theaters. It sickened me to no end. I didn't enjoy it in the slightest. I know it's not really meant to be enjoyed, but it's a movie for Christ sakes...haha, see what I did there? Anywho, I simply couldn't stand the movie. I think I may have vomited a bit.… Expand

Mel Gibson continues his fascination with extreme violence. In essence this is pornography for christians.

This is a movie strongly geared toward satisfying true believers, leaving next to nothing for the rest of the world. It touches all the right dogmatic points and adds a few head-scratchers. You have to wonder about the mentality of the writers, who obviously spent untold hours brainstorming new and heretofore unimagined torments to inflict on the main character. The result of their fixation is violence that is absurdly over the top and a film that is a spiritual vacuum. The high rating is for a modicum of cinematic style. The movie to watch touching on this same subject is Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1959), one of the best movies ever made. Containing compassion, sacrifice, redemption, and a compelling, inoffensive melding of Judaism and Christianity, it has everything that The Passion lacks.… Expand

Turgid, boring, and self-important.

I have said for years that Mel Gibson is a self-absorbed Alpha-male wannabe. Follow this pied piper to church and flagellate yourselves if you want. This film is worthless.

A. What does it mean that Jesus "invented the tables and chairs we use today." Did I miss that in my readings of the gospels? B. When I saw the Passion, a preview for The Day After Tomorrow was screened. The large family behind me from rural Maine responded, when asked "where will you be the day after tomorrow" by exclaiming "I'll be in the rapture!" They loved the Passion. C. In contemplating the bizzare claims to authenticity this film makes, it might be a good idea to watch Passolini's The Gospel According to St. Matthew (which received official papal blessings pre-Vatican II, so it should be kosher for Gibsonians). Strange how estranged different claims to authenticity can be.… Expand

For those of you prasing this movie as a breakthrough, I hate to say this, but you have only been manipulated. Gibson did not make this movie to state a point or get a message across, he simply took a controversial subject matter and made a very controversial movie out of it to get your money. For those of you who say this movie is true, it is not. You weren't there, Gibson wasn';t there, nobody involved in any way with the creation of this movie was there. For those of you who say us athiests dont understand this movie due to lack of faith, you need to learn that christianity is not the only religion, and that you have to have respect for all beliefs. I dont care that Jesus died, Im sure he didn't care about me, and Im sure he didn't care about you. He probably only did it for the attention.… Expand

Believer or non-believer, it doesn't take much to understand that the only reason for this film's existence was purely commercial. Cinematography was good, everything else was Gibson capitalizing on people's beliefs. Faith has nothing to do with this movie, any religious person who considers this a good movie is a true hypocrite.

Let me explain several misconceptions of the Christian faith. First of all, if you believe in this stuff than you would know that nobody is responsible for Jesus's death other than GOD. Jesus was SENT to die bottom line. Secondly, as far a historical accuracy, the bible was edited by the Catholic Church far before any of us read it so, unless someone who was actually alive 2000 years ago is still alive please explain how anyone can KNOW this is actually how it happened. Now that I have gotten that out of the way I can actually review the movie. And I know someone will be upset at me for saying this but as far as the plot goes, there isn't really one. And that is why the critics panned this movie for its violence. It doesn't serve to move the plot. It's just there. The cinematography is execellent as well as the use of subtitles instead of having them speak a language foreign to them. The problem is that people aren't reviewing this as a movie they are reviewing it as a religous experiment. When I go to see a show I want to be entertained I don't want to see someone get the crap beat out of them for two hours. Say what you want about Pulp Fiction but the violence in that movie moved the plot and it was more than just blood and gore. If it isn't Jesus than nobody would give a damn about this movie.… Expand

Manipulative, over-the-top, sensationalist, ugly, pretentious GARBAGE!!

"A depiction of the last 12 hours in the life of Jesus Christ as he is crucified in Jerusalem." This monotonous movie relied on people finding this 12 hour period interesting; in reality who really cares? If the Bible or the story of Jesus was slightly believable I would of enjoyed this. However, as it is an insult to anyone remotely educated, I'd rather label this movie "The last 120 minutes of Mel Gibson's directing career."… Expand

It's sad that after all this time, we are still focusing on Jesus's death and not all the good things he did while he was alive. I'm not a Christian, but it seems a little sacreligous to make such a violent and distrubing movie about someone who's basic philosophy was "Love thy neightbor, love thy friend, and love thy enemy."

The violence just did me in.

I only give it a 1 for the elaborate production. The concept is to separate Christians from their money. Rather than see this movie I think people should look at the teachings of Jesus. That is the basis of Christianity, not gory suffering. Mel Gibson should be ashamed.

Just saw this movie recently. It's hard to believe that someone (Mel Gibson!) would use such a powerful spiritual subject that is one of the most beautiful story ever told, even the crucifixion, and knowing that Christ died for us to wash away our sins and use it to make it such a graphical gore!!! Is our society this screwed-up? Some people actually enjoyed this movie?! Do we need anymore proof of how much Jesus suffered for us before he died? Or yet again some people needed to see to believe? I shall not judge any longer ;-) So anyways, credits where it?s due: Sound and Picture quality was impeccable technically. … Expand

Nothing could be more dangerous than a Snuff Film parading around in the visage of a religious experience. Possibly the absolute worst movie ever commited to film. Stay away at ALL costs.

... And before you see this movie, remember that God is only an idea.

I liked the cinematography and that's about it. I don't feel that it reached audiences the way it should have, this could of been a great movie, but it was ghoulish. Mel should have watched the older biblical movies, that for their time were done excellent. He doesn't measure up to those movie makers.

The book was much better.

Mel Gibson has a passion all right, a passion BLOOD and GORE and TORTURE. Think of the final scene of Braveheart, but stretched out for 2 hours with poorly accented Aramaic dialogue. I should clarify that I'm not a Christian, so I was not immediately taken by the subject at hand. I went into the movie with hopes of actually learning something important and spiritual. Instead, I was given a lengthy lesson on Roman torture techniques, Jewish stereotypes (ie: the ubiquitous snarling, hissing Jews calling for BLOOD), and pretentious, grandious film-making. There is nothing moving about this film, and with the exception of Caviezel and the guy who plays Pilate, the acting and direction are mediocre. Mary has the delivery of an overanxious 8 year-old on her first comercial audition. It's laughable. But hey, who am I to criticize this, Gibson is the one with the hundreds of millions of dollars. This film will rake in the millions no matter how many critics call it crap. … Expand

If you have a choice of seeing either a real life slaughter house or this film, go with the first one. it will do you less harm. having said that, mel gibson does well what he seeks to get, which is excitement in the cinema world. however, one could argue that lighting up your hair in flames is also exciting, yet it does very little good. if there is a "behind the scenes" dvd i would like to see, it would be for this film. because i have never seen production assistants carry vomit bags before. too bad the audiences werent as prepeared. during the film, i forgot what i was looking at because i wanted to forget that i was looking at a simulated human mutilation. i realized that the film would have been more powerfull if mel gibson played jesus and they actually DID beat him up beyond sense. i mean, if you are willing to go all the way, why not reach all the way to heavenly bottom. this way gibson could have been the saviour of cinema, but he falls a bit short. i have no boundaries in cinematic creation, and have a very wide open mind...but i DO draw the line between film and crap, based upon a single rule. if it makes me wanna puke during and months after viewing...it's crap. … Expand

This movie is weeeirrd. talk about lame. i want it to go away and for all the god loving freaks to stop buying out cinemas to keep it at the top of the movie lists. i also hate mel gibson. if he really was so god-loving he wouldn't make a movie about it to show everybody. and he has never been in a good movie. go see harry potter instead... p.s god doesn't exist.

While Gibson does focus around the last 12 hours of Christ, his depiction's realism is flimsy at best. As a former christian (converted to buddhism), I was drawn to the movie out of sheer curiosity, and was bombarded with violence without any real meaning. I decided to do some research into the sources Gibson used for the movie, and found that he cited some literature from the Middle ages, as well as some early 18th century works. Delving further into the topic, I found that many of the works he cited were originally meant to stem anti-Semetism, and that may have been what caused some of the what I hope are accidental unfavorable depictions. Anyone besides a religious fanatic or an idiot would see this movie as tripe, a mere bloodying of Jesus in the name of holiness that falls short of the message meant to be presented. … Expand

terrible. The passion is a long, drawn out beating. there is no spirituality here. Anyone who thinks this movie is touching is only saying so because he believes in jesus and therefore must like it. From an objective standpoint, this is bad filmmaking. finally, don't push religion on others. Anyone who beleives that I should have been moved by this movie doesn't have the brains to understand that religion is a crock in the first place. Ther are no magic ponies, there are no unicorns, but there will always be bad movies and ignorant people.… Expand

Mel's next project will be the Crusades. Let's see how he portrays that? I never knew that Mel was a regular CNN reporter?

What a garbage! mel gibson is a smart guy and makes a fortune with a subtitled horror flick!there are much better movies about jesus out there (William Dafoe plays jesus and also Harvey Keitel plays a part.do not know the title?)!!!!!

Awful propaganda reduced to the lowest element. Jesus was great but he would never permit this to be the message of what he was about. He was about love not hatred and blame.

This is a dangerous mix of film technique and one man's interpretaion of the Gospel. He assumes one knows Jesus' message of forgivness and love before entering the theater. What is portrayed is his torture and the destructin of the Jewish Temple as an immediate divine result of his death. Troubling

As a non-Christian, and a non-Western, I watch with amusement the vehemently different views expressed on this board. It is clear that this movie is pure propaganda, just like any movie made about Chairman Mao in the Cultural Revolution. Those who put religious faith on Jesus or Mao like the propaganda. These movies are not devoid of artistic values, but they are crap anyway.

Awful. Terrible. The worst story ever told. This film has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. It cannot be saved. It is damned for all eternity. I am a devout Christian--and I saw nothing of the spiritual mystery of the Holy of Holies anywhere in this story. It was an orgy of violence--it was pornography. Yes, there is an element of the Ultimate Sacrifice of our Lord that is reminiscient of the Birth Trauma everyone of us goes through in our resurrection into Life, but the upside of Christian teaching is completely eclipsed by the blood and flesh and gore flying off the body of the Christ. Mel Gibson is a severly disturbed man. I want nothing whatsover to do with his crazy, twisted vision of Christian love and salvation.… Expand

I am shocked that someone who was as well liked as Mel Gibson was would make something this hateful. Jesus gave his own life as he knew he would rise again. Mel failed to grasp this fact, and instead fans the flames of hatred against Jews and Romans. The question we must ask ourselves is why? If this isn't an antisemitic message then I don't know what is? This film is deplorable in every sense of the word. It make me embarassed as a Catholic when I see cheap shots taken at good people who have also suffered attrocities over the centuries. Mel, you should be ashamed of yourself.… Expand

"Blood and Gore" and "Place The Blame" is the message sent by Gibson. Jesus knowingly suffered for the sins of mankind. Gibson takes this to a new low as he sensationalizes the torture as HE thought it to be? All of us who believe in the Son of God are devoted and did not need scapegoats to confirm our faith? Once you get by the hoopla that this film has created, it is quite apparent that it is antisemtic. Others have also suffered great acts of inhumanity, The Holocaust being just one example. This point has been completely lost on Mr. Gibson. … Expand

At least Gibson didn't star in this one. It was enough watching him crucify himself in Braveheart.

I felt the film was too violent and there was not enough emphasis on the humility and teachings of the subject. I would have given this a zero, but was delighted when I learned that a popular hamburger franchise will include the pop-up doll with every child's meal box.

Not a very good portrayal of Jews. I felt so small and offended.

I have long liked Mel Gibson as an actor because he appealed to me as a person. To make something this hateful and vile is beyond all human comprehension. Mel, completely does not fathom that in all societies when people speak out against the ruling powers that those in charge always take brutal action to put down the "so-called" threat. It is the same today as it was when Jesus was alive as this can be documented all the way through history. Was "The Crusades" for Christianity any less brutal than the Crucification of Jesus? Of course not. But Mel has taken brutality to a new low in presenting this terrible violent film that can only outrage us mortals. Were ordinary men also crucified like Jesus? Absolutely, but Mel doesn't present this point of view. If you or a loved one were going to be crucified, burned at the stake, electrified or dismembered, what do you think you would have done if these things were pointed at you? History has shown over a thousand examples of these type attrocities happening. The point is Jesus was aware of everything he was doing, was fully capable of stoping his own crucification, but instead chose not to. Why? Because he was placed on this Earth to pay for the then sins of all mankind so that he could be resurrected. Is there anyone else on Earth who would act in a similar mannner? The answer is yes as throughout history, brave mortal men have given their own lives to protect or support their idealogy. The saddest thing that I took away from this film is that Mel does not understand that being a Christian is all about peace, family, love, understanding and compassion for all men regardless of race, creed or color. Mel, you need to get back to bible study class and learn your own faith.… Expand

Not a good film, historicaly inacurate, theologically flawed and very anti-Jewish. All in all, a waste of $5.50 and two hourse of my life.

Superb start, to be sure, but the endless time spent on the viscious mutilation of this poor soul definitely conveyed to me a sense of being overwrought. Still, the acting by the two Mary's was very good. I think that the movie should have been called, The Two Marys, with a focus on their affection and sympathy for Jesus. So, if they change the name to The Two Marys and insert more footage on The Two Marys, I think this will be a better film. Right now, as it is, it is just a tad too focused on Jesus. The Two Marys were much better than him.… Expand

I am a practicing Hindu. My exposure to Jesus Christ has been through the remarkable presence he had within the Hebrew community of the time - the radiance and charismatic nature of his preaching - the consummate rabbi. What nonsense to underscore his death when it was his life that attracted so many disciples. This film is rubbish.

I saw Fifty First Dates and The Passion on the same day. I do not usually see multiple films on the same day, but my mother-in-law is in town and I could not stand to have to spend any more time at home than I have to. Now, know that I was raised Presbyterian. My sentiment about these two films is that they both bring strong points to the table. But, in The Passion, I could not get past the thought of my mother-in-law being flailed like that instead of Jesus Christ. Maybe I should have chosen another day to see these films.… Expand

Sad to say, I resented the relentless gore and torture. I came to be enlightened and uplifted. Instead, frankly, this movie led me to rethink my faith and consider conversion to a more reformed version of Christianity, away from my Baptist upbriniging. I was told it would have the opposite effect. What went wrong?

Superb cinematography. I was so impressed with the lighting and special effects. Scenery seemed authentic enough. I liked the acting. Actors were very convincing. Regrettably, the content of the film was sub-par and I really do not understand the message being conveyed. I thought I was a beliver but now, I guess I just don't get it. Does this mean I am an atheist or agnostic incognito? This worries me a lot. … Expand

Well, I was going to contribute a rather detailed writeup on The Passion. I just arrived home a little while ago after attending a matinee performance in my local Hickory, NC movie-plex. Well, when I read through the review entered here, I noticed that God had submitted one. Who am I to argue with God? So...... I agree. This movie was an exercise in blood-letting unparalleled in any previous film I have seen. It is shear horror. Not for human consumption, and not even a little inspiring. … Expand

Hey, I suppose a noble effort by a marginal actor/director. I liked earlier films more, but that is probably because I do not like being preached-to in the movies. Its an art form, not a church service. In particular, I thought the slow motion effects were very chilling. But, did anyone notice the Ferrari pulling away at the edge of one of the scenes that was supposed to be the Via Dolorosa? That type of anachronism detracts from the total overall quality of the film. Otherwise, very entertaining and for some, I can see, spiritual.… Expand

Ok. I went to this film last night and actually waited on line for almost 1/2 hour, so I was going with high hopes for an entertaining movie. Admittedly, I did not read any advance reviews. Well, wow, I could throw out a whole slew of superlatives to describe my abject hopelessness druing the film. Not just for the subject, but for the motivation behind the people who insisted the film be made this way. It is a graphical assault on the senses. Senseless. While I am a Christian, I feel that something was lost in Translation here. Did you ever wonder if anyone had a smidgeon of a sense of humour in the period of Christ? Did anyone belch at the Last Supper? Were whoopie cushions used as comedic accoutrements? Its all so serious. And if you think about it, the whole Middle Ages period, which is a tragic outcome of this singular event, is a testament to how many people were oppressed, persecuted, indeed, smitten, in the name of the Saviour. What is wrong with this picture?… Expand

Outrageously antisemitic and grotesquely violent.

Like so many reviews said, this is relentless, draining, and just plain awful. not a movie for kids. not a movie for almost anyone. maybe masochists and some really crazy fanatics. i saw it out of curiosity and i really regret that i did.

The book is much better.

I not understand this cine. Aramaic and Latin not my native languages. How is someone supposed to understand the words of these languages with no study.

I'm disappointed that a movie that purports to be as true to the Gospels as possible ignores one significant detail: Jesus was not a white guy! He was a Jew living before the Diaspora. We don't know what exact shade of brown his skin colour was... but he was a Semite, and definitely not European. I'm not saying that someone like Oded Fehr would have been a better choice for the role, but it would have been nice for Gibson to point out that our image of a Nordic Jesus is purely a meme of European invention brought about by generation after generation of those preferring to follow in the footsteps of tradition rather than truth. Quite disappointed, am I.… Expand

One man, one death. Think of the millions of others who died in the name of religion. Its all too lopsided.

I must say the cinematography was stunning. I felt, filming on location in Southern Italy added a sense of realism, not ulike what I inmagine Jerusalem would have looked like two millenia back. As for storyline? So much has already been written about this. Its Mel Gibson's para-phrasing of the Gospel's, principally that of Matthew, without any of the background that would detail the formative years that would explain his influence in the Jewish community where he lived and prayed. Hence, for the uninitiated, this movie is an exercise in futility. It falls far short of informing those on the periphery of what this man-deity was all about. Hence, it fails miserably in its mission. Again, great cinematography though.… Expand

I should have just rented A Clockwork Orange... Essentially, the same move.

I went to see this film with my friends - some who are Jewish, some who are not. I am indeed Jewish. I was so pained watching this film. It was an horrific experience in viewing. My parents were Holocaust survivors. So many of my aunts and uncles and cousins taken from them - I never had a chance to meet any of them. No loss of life taken by violence should ever be condoned. But one human is worth no more than the next, no matter who or what he purports to be. There was no lesson to be learned from this film. Only abject anguish. Mel Gibson - Grow up!… Expand

So much crying and wretching. I walked in feeling healthy and now, well, my heart is still palpitating. I am at my son's home and I do not have my heart medication with me. This film had a profound impact on me. Physically, that is.

Mel Gibson's next project should be the life of David Koresh.

This was solely a string of slowmo scenes tied together with some cheap brutality. Overall the movie should have lasted about 15 minutes but is drawn out over 2 hours because of the frequent flashbacks and slow motion. Near the end you are pleading for Jesus not to fall anymore. Also it is clear that the film used cheap brutality in order to have some effect on the audience. A pig being tortured like that would have had the same gut-wrenching effect. Overall the film didn't have much content and Gibson tries to manipulate the Bible and the audience to make it somewhat interesting, but he fails. … Expand

As with Lord of the Rings, I am looking very forward to the novelization of the movie.

And out of The Passion sprang: 1) The Inquisition, 2) The Crusades, and 3) The claymation TV show, Davey and Goliath. Hey, one out of three isn't bad, right?

yikes. one of the most violent and savage films ever made. should prove to be popular among the god squad who will revel in the two hours of guilt-inducing masochism.

If JC knew about what was gonna happen to him, then he shouldn't have come to earth. And exactly what is the relationship between Jesus dying and the salvation of man? I don't get it.

Boring. grotesque. horrible acting. about 120 minutes too long.

Mel, you missed the real message from Jesus. It is about Love, not Hate!

It is amusing that some people claim that people who dislike this movie did not understand the passion and sacrifice that Jesus Christ underwent. Dear Sirs, to let you all know, we are not people full of hate/contempt but we are MORE sensitive than all of you. MANY movies including movies dealing with war, DO potray gore almost to such extent. When a man is killed or burnt, his body IS shown on screen, but ONLY for a second. Mind you, such scenes of gore are nothing but SHEER horror, and they are NOT shown for more than a few seconds. THOSE images shown for a few seconds itself have such a vivid impact on us, that we IMMEDIATELY understand the nature of pain that the person went through. Instead, here we are shown such images through the ENTIRE last hour of the movie. Just ONE scene with such gore was enough to make me understand the sheer pain that Jesus underwent for us. What was MOST horrifying was that towards the end of the movie I seemed to be LESS affected by those images of violence. The movie effectively worked to dehumanize me to an extent. As one critic above said, by repeatedly showing us the gore, it seems to make an act of passion, seemingly passionless. Gory violence of such shocking magnitude is SO INHUMAN, it should NOT be seen at all. The fact that you can see it WITHOUT DISGUST for more than 2 seconds proves that you are INHUMAN. That is why, many filmmakers show mutilated bodies only for fractions of seconds, and many of them dont SHOW IT ALL. They IMPLY the violence. What the critics are objecting to, is not Mr. Gibson trying to inform us of the noble sacrifice of Christ, but Mr. Gibson's INHUMANITY that led him to show such INHUMAN gore for one FULL HOUR onscreen. It takes to be significantly HUMAN to understand the significance of my statement! How could Mr. Gibson watch images of mutilation for such long hours on the sets of his movies? NO person with a heart can ever watch mutilation for such a long while. … Expand

You know, for a movie that's supposedly incredibly accurate, I find it a bit odd that Jesus is clearly a white European looking fellow, whereas the real Jesus would have considerably darker skin with a slightly more Middle Eastern look. I'm not a Christian, and as a result I didn't get as much out of it as a Christian would. I liked the quality of the scenery and music, and the fact that nothing was sugarcoated (though the slow motion was thoroughly unecessary), but it simply came off to me as more of a tool for propoganda and punishment rather than a movie that could stand alone as something entertaining and worthwhile to watch without the need to be a Christian. To those who knock the critics for having a problem with scripture or Christianity, remember that not everyone shares your views, and its highly ignorant to judge others for such a thing.… Expand

I am amazed that I was able to sit through the entire movie. This is one film, actually an onslaught of near-slaughter, that warrants a barf bag delivered with every ticket. I did not feel inspired in the least. One thing I did not get from this film.... Religion!

Disgusting and artistically a disaster. I have lost much respect for Mel, a man I really liked and respected. So sad.

"This is not a sermon or a homily, but a visualization of the central event in the Christian religion. Take it or leave it," writes Rober Ebert in his rave review of "The Passion," and I'll leave it. The use of two dead languages and the costuming are cinematic achievements in and of themselves. I really did feel like I was taking a journey back in time while watching this movie, but all Gibson seems interested in is how many times Jesus was lashed (at least 1000 times) and how much flesh was knocked off his body in the process. I saw this with a Jewish friend and I jokingly asked her, "Doesn't this make you want to put a cross up on your wall?" Couldn't there be a better story at the center of a religion? This is supposed to make me want to become a Christian? Speaking of Jews, Gibson wants to play the blame game and we get at least a couple of hooked noses in the Jewish mob cheering for Jesus' execution. The portrayal of the Jews and Romans is filled with vitriolic bias. In the end all we get is a bloody and tortured corpse and it stinks. It's 2004 Mel. The Vatican got out of the blame game over 40 years ago, now why can't Mel? … Expand

Absolutely amazing how bigoted and single minded Mr. Gibson is. He made this violent sombering movie to demonstrate the suffering Jesus did for all of us which is true. What he failed to reveal is that Jesus, the son of God, was responsible for his own crucification as he knew the most minute detail of what was going to happen to him? If Jesus was alive today and preached against the teachings of Sadam in Iraq what do you think his fate would have been? It is the same no matter what the time period. When Jesus walked the Earth, any man who preached against the accepted norm was crucified - not just Jesus. It is unbelievable that instead of teaching us about the LOVE Jesus tried to instill in us by orchestrating his own crucification, Mr. Gibson wants to place the blame for this hideous crime. Well, all he has succeeded in is makng a violent bloody movie and presenting a blood wrenching period similar to what happened during the Holocaust. Mel, Jesus is about LOVE not HATE.… Expand

Parents beware?this film is way too violent and pornographic to show your children. Several parents removed their children during the film. Overall a very disappointing movie. While I?m not Jewish, I can certainly see why Jews feel this movie is anti-semitic.

Definitely not worth the hype. Over-rated. Almost as disturbing as Christians over their putative God. Unbelievably biased. I feel embarassed FOR Gibson.

As the grandson of a Baptist minister and one who was raised in a devout Christian home, I cannot possibly support an interpretation of Christ's sacrifice which is focused so soul-stunningly on violence and gore. A light shines brightest when surrounded by darkness, yes, but this film is all darkness and only the faintest glimmer of light. Would Christ himself, who emphasized forgiveness and love, encourage people to see a movie this violent? Would he, now? I cannot imagine it. Mel Gibson's focus on violence here strikes me as nothing less than disturbed. I am frightened for our people when imagery so carefully horrific can be seen as essential to understanding the meaning of Jesus' life. It's unspeakably sad.… Expand

Exploitation cinema at its lamest. Not nearly as powerfully gutwrenching as critics are proclaiming, nor as offensive either. The film, alas, is nothing more than an over the top shock fest designed to titialte the emotional spectrum of Christian across the country (not to mention open their wallets.) What were left with is a cheap, cable ready porno depicting the final hours of Jesus as a lame, drawn out event. Don't waste your money, the hype wasn't worth it. If your looking for a spiritual event, read a Bible, if your looking for blood and guts, check out films like Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Showgirls, both of them strive for the same effet. … Expand

If this is Jesus' Second Coming, I think the Beatles upstaged him with their First Coming in 1964.

A sad epistle from a sick mind.

Good thing I did not have any buttered popcorn during this flick. Could have been a very messy proposition.

My goodness. I was floored at the violence. I was thrown by the rantings of the crowds. Incensed by the Roman brutality. I loved the costumes and hairstyles, however.

Wow, a Marquis De Sade tour de force. I loved it. More, More, More!

"It is as it was". But, "T'wasn't very good". There are not enough tissues in a Kleenex warehouse to sop-up the tears stemming from this movie. A film clearly meant to torment and manipulate the audience into becoming hostile toward goodness.

This simply is not a movie. It is a statement - a statement of a person deranged enough to view religion, Christianity that is, as martyrdom and nothing else. Reminds me of "The Name of The Rose", where Sean Connery asks the question of Christ's humor and gets for an answer: "Jesus never laughed." And, another movie that comes to mind: A line from Kevin Smith's "Dogma", where the Metatron says unto a Catholic: "You people mourn your faith instead of celebrating it!" Mel Gibson mourns his faith. The movie is an outrage to modern Christianity and even modern Catholicism. Reducing all faith to the martyrdom of Christ on the cross means falsifying his teachings. Displaying a sympathetic Pontius Pilate trying to avoid having Jesus crucified means falsifying history. Displaying two hours of flowing blood and showing the nails hammered in in slo-mo means indulging in a sadistisc display of pain - it all simply makes me think of nothing else but medieval monks carrying out self-flagellation. Mel Gibson has a view, and he might be merited for consequently trying to get it through to the audience. Only, the view is a dangerous one - in terms of totally misunderstanding Christianity and dangerously inflicting blame on Judaism - just like in medieval times, again. … Expand

This was solely a string of slowmo scenes tied together with some cheap brutality. Overall the movie should have lasted about 15 minutes but is drawn out over 2 hours because of the frequent flashbacks and slow motion. Near the end you are pleading for Jesus not to fall anymore. Also it is clear that the film used cheap brutality in order to have some effect on the audience. A pig being tortured like that would have had the same gut-wrenching effect. Overall the film didn't have much content and Gibson tries to manipulate the Bible and the audience to make it somewhat interesting, but he fails. … Expand

Horribly bloody and not full of love but relentless hatred for the audience

Mel is off his rocker! This movie is not any different than any other Jesus movie. Ive seen ohernot so gory and I've been upset and stunned. Why must we revisit that? I'm waiting patiently for someone to do a realistic movie about Jesus. Isaiah53 propheticaly states that Jesus was not a good looking man as in Mels film nor would he have had long hair because it was considered a disgrace for a man in that day to have long hair. Also archeoligical evidence shows us that the average height of a man was in the 5 ft. range. I'm tied of seeing these models (actors) and hippy looking Jesuses I would like to see a real looking Jesus. Come on Mel didn't you read your Bible and check out the evidence before you so blaitently sprung this movie on us. Not everyone in the general public is so gullable. … Expand

Don't pay attention to my vote. If people are offended by this movie because they are not christian why do they even bother to go see it. They know it is going to be violent but they act like it was a suprise. So please stop bitchin about this movie!!!

Nicely filmed in parts, however the majority of the film is extremely violent and bloody with lots of cheap slo-mo photography. Don't expect a lot of Jesus' message of love and redemption here. The film primarily focus is on the physical torture and crucification. The acting was so-so.

Yikes! Mel Gibson's career is over! What was he thinking?

There are technically redeeming moments in this film, as well as some moving performances, but I was outraged both as a moviegoer and a Christian, The mumbledy-jumbledy nonesense with the Demon/Devil? And where oh where are some other events in the movie in the Gospel? Nowhere. Sickening over the top violence that doesn't add one iota of insight into Christ's message to us. And PLEASE, DO NOT TAKE YOUR YOUNG CHILDREN TO THIS MOVIE! It is the most violent film I have ever seen and it is beyond me how it could receive an R rating instead of the MUCH deserved NC-17.… Expand

Mel Gibson was an actor that I admired greatly. Now he has produced a film that revels in violence and once again creates the stereotype of Jews as Christ-killers. The Romans were the ones who crucified Jesus as a reaction to his stirring up unrest in the province of Judea. Does anyone seriously believe that Pontius Pilate, a prefect recalled to Rome because of his brutality in governing Judea, would become the wimpy servant of the Jewish leaders portrayed in this film? Oh, Mr. Gibson, you've "sold out" to make a lot of money! How evil is THAT? You oughta be ashamed, but you're obviously not. … Expand

To understand this film by Mel Gibson, one can look at some other films he stared in, such as the "Mad Max" series. In this series, each film may have had some theme or moral story, but by and large, display of violence was the main reason for making the films. In this current film, Mel has again found another avenue to show graphic violence.

Absolutely deplorable. Mel Gibson has placed his popularity and career in jeopardy by unfairly making the Jewish people responsible for the horrendous crucification of Jesus. The violent way in which Jesus suffered will only, once again, incinirate an antisemitic outcry from the less informed. What the Vatican tried to correct many years ago has been reopened as a Pandora's box in this film. I would caution anyone thinking about bringing small children to see this revolting and sombering crucification not to. Everyone is aware that Jesus suffering represented the sins of mankind. He knew full well what was going to happen to him and said so at the Last Supper? To incite and blame which is quite apparent in making this film is totally irresponsible. God and Jesus forgive Mel because he really does not know what he has done? Just terrible.… Expand

Sensatonalizing the violence, brutality and gore seems to be the theme.

Brutalality in its most ugly form. The purpose of this film is simply propoganda to blame others for Jesus suffering. Mel read the bible. Jesus knew that this was his fate. What would happen to anyone who preached against the majority as it is the same today as it was then?

As a priest I was very disapponted by this film. This image is too violent for me.

Anti-Semitic, copious amounts of violence, bad film-making. Some of the acting is decent, but not enough to rate this movie above a 0.