Is Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of the Christ' violent and anti-Semitic?

Out on 25th February 2004 in the USA, and 26th March in the UK, the film ignited strong feelings long before it was released. Some Christian and Jewish groups slated it for 'anti-Semitism.' Other people criticized the level of violence - the first UK review of the film, by John Hiscock, published in the London Daily Telegraph, was titled 'Who would want to see a film this violent?' Hiscock says that the two-hour film gives 'little respite' from violence, and he questions whether even adults will be able to stomach this level of violence.

'Who has a stomach for violence like this?' Read our first review of 'The Passion of the Christ', by Geoffrey Stevenson of Durham University's Centre for Christian Communication.

Because of its violence, the film is R-rated in the USA and rated 18 in the UK. The violence certainly means that it is not appropriate for everyone to watch this film. However, I find it odd that in a society that can tolerate 'Saving Private Ryan' and fictional gore-fests like 'Kill Bill', anyone should complain about the historically accurate violence in this film. Yes it is violent. Yes, it was violent. Christ suffered for the sins of his people - and this film shows something of the reality of his physical suffering. It is one of the few films where the level of violence is anything but gratuitous. It is an entirely necessary part of the story.

Anti-Semitic?

Some groups have accused this film of being anti-Semitic. This accusation arises because of the way the film portrays the Jewish authorities in an unremittingly negative manner, and portrays the non-Jew Pilate in a neutral or sympathetic manner.

Yes, the film is historically inaccurate at this point. But the accusation of anti-Semitism will not stand up for one moment. For a start, the hero of the film is a Jew. (Jesus was Jewish, in case this had slipped anyone's attention). So were Peter, and John, and Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of Jesus. Secondly, for me at least, the film did not leave me thinking that it was a bunch of wicked Jews who were responsible for Christ's suffering and death - it left me thinking that I was responsible. As Thomas Minarik, writing in 'Religion Today', says:

The real controversy isn't over the widely reported allegations of anti-semitism... but that Mel Gibson places the blame for the brutal death of Jesus squarely where it belongs - on each of us.

Mel Gibson chose not to appear in his own movie, except at one point: it is Gibson's own hands that are seen nailing Christ to the cross. Gibson chose to do this because it was indeed his hands (and mine, and yours) that nailed Christ there.

Conclusion

This is one of the very few films where the violence is an absolutely necessary part of the story: it may be extreme, but it is not gratuitous. And is 'The Passion' anti-Semitic? Not in the least. I cannot help wondering whether some reviewers came to this film determined to find something wrong with it, and the violence and the (supposed) anti-Semitism were simply targets of opportunity. As Tim Jackson says in Radio Bible Class's excellent FAQ about the film:

Those detractors who claim the film is anti-Semitic have more of a beef with the message of the Bible than they do with Mel Gibson's film. Frankly, their outcries seem to betray more of an underlying fear that the film may result in a resurgence of passionate faith in the suffering Christ of the Bible, not anything that smacks of anti-Semitism

There are questions for discussion and reflection on the violence of the film, at the end of the main review article.

Seen the film? Have questions?

'The Life - Explore the Passion of the Christ' - an excellent site about the story behind the film. The webmasters describe this as 'a website for people who have seen the film and have questions.' What is it about? In their own words:

After seeing the movie, thelife.com is an opportunity for people to explore the Passion of Christ. Feature articles on the site will deal with common questions people have after seeing the movie. Through articles, video clips, discussion boards and a chatroom visitors will have the chance to dig deeper into the life of Christ. There will also be the opportunity to sign-up for a 10-day email journey that will take them through a discussion of the film, scripture and what Christ's sacrifice means for them.

In early screenings of the film there has been an eerie hush when the final credits roll. This movie moves people. When people have an emotional experience of this depth, they want to talk about it. We're building thelife.com to let them do exactly that. Laced throughout the site will be opportunities for people to email us their questions and prayer requests. Everything on the site will point to who Jesus is and why He was willing to suffer so greatly, and so graphically, for each of us.

Who is Jesus? - the passion of Christ - another site mainly for people who are not yet followers of Christ.

Buy 'The Passion' here

As a DVD:

Order from the UK
Order from the USA

As a video tape:

Order from the UK
Order from the USA

More Web sites

'Passion prompts murder confession' - this, and a wide range of other Passion-related stories from the BBC

Free promotional materials for the film

Tell a friend by email (or text message) about the availability of movie clips of the film at:
http://www.buzzplant.com/passion/

See the Passion.com - 'See the Passion with your own eyes; feel it in your heart for ever.' - An independent website supporting the movie.

A News Anchor's Perspective: "Nothing in my existence... could have prepared me for what I saw on-screen last night" - Review by Jody Dean, Dallas-Ft. Worth anchor for CBS.

"...the most gut-wrenching, emotional and life-changing two hours of my life." - Review by J R Whitby, director of Gospelcom.net

Will Mel Gibson's Passion of Christ help save Christianity? Article by Daniel Johnson in the 11th February 2004 issue of the London Daily Telegraph

'Who would want to see a film this violent?' The first UK review of the film, by John Hiscock in the London Daily Telegraph

Leadership University feature article on 'The Passion' - also contains a wide range of links to additional articles.