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U.S audiences flock to “Passion”
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Monday, February 23, 2004
LOS ANGELES - Some audiences will love it; others will not.
One thing is certain: when Mel Gibson?s ?The Passion of the Christ? debuts Wednesday, moviegoers will finally have a chance to decide for themselves.
Christian churches and others say Gibson?s film, which covers the last 12 hours in the life of Jesus Christ, spreads the Gospel?s message of love, and they have bought thousands of advance tickets to get the faithful to theaters.
Jewish groups worry the film?s negative depiction of their ancient leaders will cause a resurgence in anti-Semitism linked to the ancient fallacy that all Jews are responsible for Jesus? death.
Hollywood is eyeing box office reports for signs of whether the movie?s Christian message will appeal to mainstream audiences and generate ticket sales beyond an expected big opening week. And blowing in the coastal breeze is speculation that Gibson may make more Christian films.
A Gibson spokeswoman told Reuters she was unaware of any such plans.
Christian leaders are hoping the controversy does not detract from the Biblical story of how Jesus committed the ultimate sacrifice for his fellow man and showed that love can triumph over hate.
?I think if someone comes in and sees the film, it [the message] won?t get lost,? said Pastor Greg Laurie of southern California?s Harvest Christian Fellowship.
The movie follows the New Testament?s tale of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, opening with his betrayal at the hands of his own disciple.
Jewish leaders of the time believed Jesus had the power to lead an uprising against them, so they plotted to have him tried for blasphemy — a crime punishable by crucifixion.
Initially, the Roman ruler overseeing the Jews, Pontius Pilate, decides to have Jesus scourged, or whipped, instead of crucified. Roman soldiers pummel Jesus (portrayed in the film by Jim Caviezel) with leather straps fixed with metal prongs. Flesh rips from Jesus and leaves his ribs exposed. From this point on, the bloodletting in ?The Passion? is relentless.
Jesus is eventually condemned to death by Pilate and marched through the streets bearing the cross to which he will be nailed. But after death, he arises to triumph.
In between the beatings, Gibson flashes back to Jesus? life and shows his teachings of love, kindness and respect.
Major concerns Jewish groups have over anti-Semitism stem from several factors, including the idea that for centuries, some Christians have held that all Jews are responsible for the death of Jesus.
Laurie and others say that is a faulty assumption because Jesus ultimately sacrificed himself for the love of others.
Gibson has deflected charges of anti-Semitism by portraying some Jews in the film as sympathetic to Jesus and many Romans as hate-filled. However, the portrait of a reluctant Pilate has brought criticism from some Jewish leaders and biblical scholars.
The subtitle for a line about a ?curse? on Jewish people was lifted from the movie, although the words can still be heard in Aramaic. Jewish leaders asked Gibson to attach a statement deploring anti-Semitism, but he did not.
Yet, Gibson has repeatedly said he is not anti-Semitic, and regardless, the controversy is not holding down ticket sales.
Market watchers are saying the first five-day ticket sales could reach the $40 million range, which would match the recent holiday take for mainstream comedy ?50 First Dates.?
?We?ve seen tremendous individual sales and also big group sales. It really has been a combination,? said Art Levitt, chief executive of online ticket seller Fandango.com.
But whether those sales will hold in week No. 2 remains a question. Theater owners note religious movies tend to have a long life in theaters.
Kris Fuhr, a vice president of Big Idea Inc., which made Christian-theme animated movie ?Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie,? said the film crossed over to mainstream audiences very well.
Some industry experts believe the level of violence may ultimately turn off repeat customers; still others say the message of hope and love will bring them back. This week, audiences will decide.
?The Passion? is being distributed by Gibson?s Icon Productions and independent Newmarket Films.
