The Passion of the Christ

Name: The Passion of the Christ
Genre: Drama, History
Released: February 25, 2004
Duration: 127 min
Rating: 47
Cast: James Caviezel, Monica Bellucci

2004

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 43 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 428 Ratings

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6.5

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6.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 428 Ratings

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THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST: RECUT

Movie Details & Credits

Unrated

Newmarket Films | Release Date: February 25, 2004

Starring: James Caviezel, Monica Bellucci

Summary: A depiction of the last 12 hours in the life of Jesus Christ as he is crucified in Jerusalem.

Director: Mel Gibson

Genre(s): Drama, History

Rating: Unrated

Runtime: 127 min

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Awards & Rankings

9	#9 Most Discussed Movie of 2004
5	#5 Most Shared Movie of 2004

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Critic Reviews

100

Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert

This is not a sermon or a homily, but a visualization of the central event in the Christian religion. Take it or leave it. Read full review

New York Post - Lou Lumenick

A highly personal, provocative and in some ways riveting vision with an inspired performance by Jim Caviezel as Jesus. Read full review

Miami Herald - Rene Rodriguez

It's a strange kind of spiritual movie -- one that aims for the gut more often than the heart. Read full review

Salon - Stephanie Zacharek

Mel Gibson may have changed the face of cinema forever. I think he has: He's made the first true Jesusploitation flick, a picture that, despite its self-righteous air of grave religiosity, is barely spiritual at all. Read full review

Seattle Post-Intelligencer - William Arnold

Did it move me? And the answer is no. I thought it has a certain ghoulish, voyeuristic fascination, but I found it strangely remote and uninvolving on both emotional and spiritual levels. Read full review

Wall Street Journal - Joe Morgenstern

What I do know is that I was gripped for a while by the strength of Mr. Gibson's filmmaking, only to be repelled and eventually excluded by his literalist insistence on excruciation. There is watching in horror, and there is watching in horror. Read full review

Chicago Reader - Jonathan Rosenbaum

If I were a Christian, I'd be appalled to have this primitive and pornographic bloodbath presume to speak for me. Read full review

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User Reviews

House

May 22, 2006

Obviously, everyone has differing views and beliefs relating to this story. But as no sane moviegoer cares for gangland violence, most would agree "The Godfather's I & II" are timeless masterpieces. "In Cold Blood" is terrifyingly real and uncompromising and not the least bit uplifting Obviously, everyone has differing views and beliefs relating to this story. But as no sane moviegoer cares for gangland violence, most would agree "The Godfather's I & II" are timeless masterpieces. "In Cold Blood" is terrifyingly real and uncompromising and not the least bit uplifting but still fabulous film making, dealing with controversial and important topics. To appreciate "Passion of the Christ" many must lay aside views as to the truth of this story as well as the avalanch of hype that surrounded it's director, Mel Gibson. Yet if these sacrifices are made what is uncovered is a film that represents everything that is great about independant film making. A film that skillfully and beautifully expresses the view point of the film makers free of any outside spin from "big Hollywood". As the digital revolution continues to develope, altering Hollywood's method of dealing with "independent film", "the Passion" is a film that will stand the test of time as a major achievement in film, encouraging indie film makers to take bold, unpopular chances and express their deepist concerns and feelings without hesitation or compromise.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

gzayas91

Jul 4, 2017

Amazing Christian film that Mel Gibson. This should have been critical praised, but instead it got slammed. Gibson captured the spirit of Christ very brilliant.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

mbrownd

Jul 15, 2011

Im sorry but 47/100 on Critic Reviews? C'mon people! This was, and still remains, as a classic film about the true nature of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This film will not only bring you to tears, but put a smile on your face once you realize that one man put his own life on the lineIm sorry but 47/100 on Critic Reviews? C'mon people! This was, and still remains, as a classic film about the true nature of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This film will not only bring you to tears, but put a smile on your face once you realize that one man put his own life on the line for us. Christian or non-Christian, you need to see this film. Now.… Expand

11 of 16 users found this helpful115

PaulF.

Dec 2, 2006

Overall I felt the Passion was a powerful movie that got me all teary eyed several times, especially the love Mary felt for her son and the grief she had to bare watching him suffer the way he did. I was also very impressed that the movie was entirely made in Aramaic and I believe it was Overall I felt the Passion was a powerful movie that got me all teary eyed several times, especially the love Mary felt for her son and the grief she had to bare watching him suffer the way he did. I was also very impressed that the movie was entirely made in Aramaic and I believe it was Latin the Romans were speaking. WOW, to trust the general public with subtitles shows a lot of faith in us. I deeply respect the vision and hard work it took to make the movie all that more authentic to the feel of the times. One of my few points of critique were that it seemed overly gory. I cannot say how historic this was or not but they really laid it on thick. It was pretty much non-stop from his floggings all the way to his death. I was a bit mixed on how they portrayed the Devil. I liked the way they portrayed the devil all bald headed and mysteriously quiet. It was interesting to see how the demons disguised themselves as children or the Devil using the mother and child as a cloak. However for some reason the devils anguish in hell when Jesus died seemed hokey to me. I was also disappointed that more wasn't shown after Jesus left the tomb. I thought it a bit hokey you could see right through his hand. I loved the characters of Jesus, Mary, Mary, and Pilot. They really stood out in their performances. Pilot's reason and compassion but compromisingly worldly position was an interesting conflict. He also was quite existential in his philosophical outlook. In many ways I identified with his character the most. On a theological interpretive level I thought the way one of the condemned men on the cross and especially Judas was treated in a unduly harsh way. It really seemed Judas was grieved by what he had done. He even tried to make amends by offering the money back in exchange for Jesus release. Ultimately he did not even take the money (in the movie) and even threw it at the priests feet when they refused to release Jesus. It also seemed strange that he hanged himself as if I recall rightly in Acts 1:18 Judas falls "headlong" I presume over a cliff. I thought the rope might break and then he would either fall from this or throw himself over a cliff after failing to hang himself. But the movie makes his hanging seem like the end which seems out of sync with Acts 1:18. My biggest beef with the theology presented is that some are eternally spiritually condemned which IMO is not a compassionate theological positions. It creates conflict within our souls which says some at some point and to never be loved again. I'm sorry but Godliness is Love, unconditionally. Still the Passion was a powerful movie that I am sure will affect many lives. It was good that Jesus teachings were flashed back to from time to time. The juxtaposition of his extreme suffering with his teachings on loving ones enemies was quite profound. I just wish there was a bit more of this movie which would have made the experience more well rounded. But what there was of it I can definitely say this is a good movie to see that I would recommend any adult to see at some point in their lives.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

SEROJ

Apr 30, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Too violent and bloody, but overall a good movie about the last 12 hours of Jesus and almost no scenes with the resurrection! I liked the few scenes with his students and Saint Mary more, and i think we needed more of that! Overall i give my respect for mr. Gibson, but it was unnecessary brutal.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

YoursTruly

Nov 9, 2012

Yo...my man got his ass whooped! For hours! Non-stop! But seriously this is a big steaming pile of unrealized potential.

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

CamN.

Sep 9, 2005

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.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

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