THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST (2004)

MORGAN'S RATING

The Passion of the Christ focuses on the last 12 hours of Jesus of Nazareth's life. The film begins in the Garden of Olives where Jesus has gone to pray after sitting the Last Supper. Jesus must resist the temptations of Satan and, after being betrayed by Judas Iscariot, is arrested and taken within the city walls of Jerusalem where leaders of the Pharisees confront him with accusations of blasphemy and his trial results in a condemnation to death.

James Caviezel (Jesus), Monica Bellucci (Magdalene), Claudia Gerini (Claudia Procles), Maia Morgenstern (Mary), Sergio Rubini (Dismas), Toni Bertorelli (Annas), Robert Bestazzoni (Malchus), Francesco Cabras (Gesmas), Giovanni Capalbo (Cassius), Rosalinda Celentano (Satan), Emilio De Marchi (Scornful Roman), Francesco De Vito (Peter), Lello Giulivo (Brutish Roman), Abel Jefry (Second Temple Officer), Hristo Jivkov (John), Luca Lionello (Judas), Jarreth J. Merz (Simon), Matt Patresi (Janus), Fabio Sartor (Abender), Mattia Sbragia (Caiphas), Gianinto Ferro (Joseph of Arimathea), Hristo Shopov (Pontius Pilate), Olek Mincer (Nicodemus), Roberto Visconti (Scournful Roman), Adel Ben Ayed (Thomas), Chokri Ben Zagden (James), Luca De Dominicis (Herod), Pietro Sarubbi (Barabbas), Adel Bakri (Temple Guard), Lucio Allocca (Second Temple Guard), Paco Reconti (Whipping Guard), Luciano Dragone (Second Man), Franco Costanzo, Lino Salemme, Emanuele Gullotto (Accusers), Maurizio Di Carmine, Francesco Gabriele, Angelo Di Loreta, Federico Pacifici, Roberto Santi, Giovanni Vettorazzo, Ted Rusoff (Elders).

A MEL GIBSON FILM

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Mel Gibson (Braveheart). WRITERS: Mel Gibson and Benedict Fitzgerald. PRODUCERS: Bruce Davey, Mel Gibson and Stephen McEveety. EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Enzo Sisti. ORIGINAL MUSIC: John Debney. DISTRIBUTOR: Newmarket Films.

QUOTES

Jesus: Judas! Do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?

[to his mother Mary while on the cross] Jesus: Woman, behold your son. [to his discipline John] Jesus: Son, behold your mother.

FACTS

Jesus: Forgive them, Father. They know not what they do.

RELEASE DATE: February 25th, 2004 (USA) DVD RELEASE DATE: August 31st, 2004 (USA) BOX OFFICE OPENING: $83.8 million (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $370.2 million (USA) BUDGET: $30 million (USA) SHOOTING DATES: November 2002 -- January 2003 - When this Latin and Aramaic language film was announced, Mel Gibson stated that his intent was to release it without subtitles, letting the performances speak for themselves. However, if it is necessary, subtitles would be added later. Also, he stated that regardless of the cost of the project, that this would be "good for the soul". - James Caviezel dislocated his shoulder during the filming of the scourging scene. The 150lb cross dropped on his shoulder, and the scene is still in the movie. - At several small private screenings for a select group of clerics, subtitles were added, which Gibson intends to remove from the finished version upon release. - Miramax Studios owns the rights to the film title "The Passion", which is why the film was at first renamed "The Passion of Christ" and then later retitled again to "The Passion of the Christ". - The film's set was struck by lightening twice over the course of a few months during production. - The figure of Christ during the crucifixion is animatronic so that actor James Caviezel wouldn't have to be up there for extended periods of time. - During the scourging scene, James Caviezel accidentally got whipped twice. The first time knocked the wind out of him, and the second time hurt so much it caused him to wrench is hand quickly from his shackles, scraping his wrist badly. - Upon viewing, Pope John Paul II gave his approval to the film, saying, "It is as it was." - The figure of Christ during the crucifixion is actually James Caviezel, despite popular rumors, no animatronics were used. - When meeting with the producer, James Caviezel was originally fold the film in question was a surfing movie. It wasn't until Mel Gibson walked in that Caviezel was told it was a film about Jesus. - It's Mel Gibson's hands that nail Christ to the cross during the Crucifixion scene. Gibson decided this because he didn't want any further conspiracy about who was blamed for killing Jesus. - James Caviezel was given a prosthetic nose and a raised hairline. His blue eyes were digitally changed to brown on film. - Surpassed My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) as the highest grossing independent movie ever. - Maia Morgenstern, who plays Mary (mother of Jesus), is only 6 years older than James Cavaziel.

Jesus: Take this and drink. This is my blood, spilled for you and for many. Do this in memory of me.

Judas: Take back this silver. I have betrayed innocent blood. Caiphas: If you think you have betrayed innocent blood, that is your affair.

Jesus: See, mother, I make all things new.

Jesus: It is accomplished.

Mary: Why is this night different from all other nights?

Mary: Flesh for my flesh...Heart for my heart...My son, let me die with you.

Jesus: My heart is ready.

[finding his disciples asleep] Jesus: The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

[on the road to Golgotha, Jesus falls] Simon: We're almost there! It's almost over!

Pontius Pilate: I do not want an uprising. Abenader: There already is an uprising.

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"A very dour, pedestrian picture." -- Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

"In the end, one can respect Gibson's high intentions and dedicated work, while remaining spiritually and dramatically unmoved by the result." -- Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

"As a true reading of the Gospels -- the director's much-vaunted aim -- the film falls abruptly short." -- Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

"Controversy aside, it is dramatically intense, skillfully constructed and often harrowing, in ways that should have an impact on people of any or no particular faith." -- Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News

"The Passion of the Christ is powerfully moving and fanatically obtuse in equal doses." -- Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

"Regardless of how you feel about the movie's message, you're certain to leave the movie feeling something about the movie itself." -- Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune