I am a christian and i lke the film this movie shows what happen 2,000 years ago. And touches peoples lives of what jesus did for the whole world. And i hope that you get something out of it like what i did jim caviezel did a great job as playing the son of god and mel gibson did a great job of directing/producing. I cried when the whiping screen came and seeing all those strips on his back.In my mind i wanted to beat up the roman soliders for doing that but. But the whipping and crucixtion that what happen read the gospels if you dont understand it. Jesus did for you so you wont go to hell. For god so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life John 3:16. I believe that Jesus is my savior of the world and he loves us very much.Seeing the crucixtion and the rusurrection it's the real thing. And remember the very importants things that happen 2,000 years ago. That a man name Jesus Of Nazareth did wonderful things not to be weird but dieing for us and raising for the dead that ia amazing savior that i ever know and loved for my whole life. And we all should say thank that you died for my sins and getting raised from the dead the is Easter is all about.

Pardon me if this movie revolted you. Perhaps you have a very weak tummy. But you must know, or refuse to believe, that the movie was made by Mel Gibson,to show the world what God's Son had to endure for sinful mankind. You might not believe that God sent his Son into the world to Redeem us all, but it is a fact even you cannot deny. It was a movie needed to be made, and Mel Gibson had the guts to make it. I salute him for his love of God and love of the truth. If this movie was nothing more that blood and gore, you are to be pittied. I will pray for you all, that God might open your eyes to see the truth. Yes Jesus Christ did die for us all, and it wasn't a pretty sight. But it did happen, He did die for us on a Cross to save us from Hell. May God have mercy on your souls.

I'm LDS and recently saw the film on DVD. "It is as it was." as the pope said when he saw it. The film follows the accounts in the Gospels very well. Mel Gibson did, however, take artistic license for a few things and it's wonderful. This is a beautiful film. All the details described in the 4 Gospels about the Garden of Gethsemane was in the film. I don't mean to contend about doctrine with other reviewers, but Christ suffered for our sins in Gethsemane and again on the cross, in addition to the physical torture. The suffering and methods of torture I was not familiar with. This film helped me to know more of what He went through. When I ponder what the Saviour did for me, I can see it now and appreciate it more. It was beautiful how the film portrayed His relationship with His mother, Mary, and the other women in His life. I don't have a t.v. in my home, so I am more sensitive to violence than most people may be who watch a lot of t.v. The violence in this film was not so much that I had to look away. Having read the Passion, Atonement, and Resurrection sections of the New Testament many times and learning about it in Church, nothing shocked me--it was familiar to me. I was a witness to it. I was helpless. I could not come to his aid as Simon did. I could not mop up the blood as Mary did. I love Jesus and this is the greatest film ever made. God bless Mel Gibson! I don't look down on those who won't see the film. It's a personal choice. I'm glad that I had the privilege to see "The Passion of the Christ."

What a shame the Deseret News keeps Jeff Vice on as their movie critic. His pseudo arrogance and film-snobbery is so blatant. His review of The Passion of the Christ had nothing negative except for the use of slow motion, some odd flashbacks and the abundance of blood. Yet, this is the same movie critic that had nothing but glowing remarks for the first two Kill Bill bloodfests. What a shame. What a shame that Jeff Vice's politics would overshadow a near perfect film. He gave it only 2 stars. TWO. He didn't like the flashbacks and the blood. Yet he easily gives Kill Bill 4 stars...full of more blood than was found in The Passion of the Christ. What a shame. I was brought to tears. This movie is brutally honest. It is the way things happened, along with a few liberties taken by Mel Gibson. Yes, the part of Satan is played by a woman but we don't see Satan as either male or female in the movie...rather an adrogynous type character. The flashbacks are there to add some humanity to the story. I found them intruiguing and thought they added to the picture. What a shame. Shame on you Jeff Vice. This movie is a masterpiece. To not like this movie, to not be stirred, to not come out emotionally drained, one must not have a soul. What a beautiful, stirring story, masterfully told and filmed. This is a movie I will want all my children to see as they grow older. This is a film that should be shown in high schools, in churches, and yes, even in LDS seminary classes. This is the heart wrenching story of Jesus' conviction and crucifixion and finally shown how things actually happened. Thank you to Mel Gibson. Shame on you Jeff Vice.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of things to believe in...in this world today and people are entitled to thier own belief system. However, I have a problem with people who have not even read the Bible, criticizing the Passion of Christ. If you disbelieve the Bible, this is not the movie for you. If you believe the Bible, if you understand the Bible...you will not have to be told what a masterpiece this movie is. Regarding the violence and brutality of the movie, if you have studied ANY history at all, Biblicly or just historically, you would read over and over again of the BARBARIC ways of the peope of that time. I absolutely believe that the horrific brutality inflicted on Jesus was a very accurate account of His last hours. About the presence of satan in the movie. Don't you know who satan is??? Satan can be anything or anyone he desires and for whatever purpose so he chooses. If you think satan was not active in the crucifiction of Jesus, you have not even come close to grasping the concept of any of the Bible. Who do you think tempted Judas? Who do you think slithered "to and fro" tempting all who would follow him against Jesus? Believe what you will...This was the greatest movie to date about Jesus. As they say..."for some...no explaination is necessary, and for some, no explaination will ever suffice!"

This movie is POWERFUL, and I truly feel that this will be the movie of all times. It has opened my eyes to how much The Lord Love us.

i read all other anti-"passion reviews.i just want to tell that this film shows the passion of christ as it was.well the truth might be sometimes gruesome and brutal,but that is what happened to jesus 2000 years ago and maybe even more brutal than what is shown in the film.we can't shy away from the fact that jesus suffered it all.i cant digest watching some previous movies on jesus where they show no signs of whipping or blood.what is the meaning in that?jesus suffered for the sins of man,and that is the truth. the film shows jesus hanging on the cross for few minutes,but in reality jesus was hanging on the cross from 9 a.m to 3 p.m,and might have bled to death or suffocated. well no film can truly capture the real brutality meted out on jesus.

Movie was well done, with a beautiful score and superb acting and direction... An instant classic. The anti-Semetic argument is nonsense, unless you believe that "Amistad" and "Roots" were anti-White, and "Schindler's List" and "Life is Beautiful" were anti- German. Speaking of Schindler's List, I am surprised more people have not compared the two films. Jeff Vice is way off-base, calling the film "graphically, gruesomely violent." He continues to repine, "This biblical drama is so violent, so extremely bloody, it's anyone's guess how it managed to skirt by with just an R rating, instead of the NC-17." First of all, the overwhelming majority of the violence in "The Passion" is merely implied--the times you SEE flesh being torn, etc, can be counted on one hand. Comparing that to films like "Kill Bill," "Natural Born Killers," and even "Braveheart", then this is one of the more visually TAME R-rated movies (of those that have an inherently "violent" subject matter). The difference is the violence in this film is not done with the same disregard for human life exhibited by most films of our day. The pain and suffering here is palpable--as it was in "Schindler's List," but not gratuitously violent. In fact, to even use the term "violence" does an injustice to the whole tone of the film, and wrongfully categorizes it with the myriad of graphically and gratuitously violent movies that have become a staple in today's movie diet. With that said, it is INTENSE. If you can't handle "Schindler's List," you won't be able to handle "The Passion of the Christ." They are both about horrendous acts of cruelty and are depicted in a way that helps their audiences have a greater appreciation for sacrifices and sufferings that one cannot possibly fully comprehend without visual assistance. They are also both about individuals who overcame unimaginable odds to provide salvation for an oppressed people (Jews in the first case, Jew and Gentile in the second). (Side note: Those LDS members who complain that this film's content is somehow less important than the occurences of Gethsemane need to reexamine the doctrine. They were equally important, and one without the other would have been void. I find no problem discussing one aspect of the atonement at a time. In fact, an attempt to depict the sufferings of Gethsemane would have fallen way shorter than this film did. I applaud Mel Gibson for helping us to understand that which we are able to understand--if we are willing to watch.) If you are honestly too overwrought by visually intense films, I applaud your sensitivity. Don't see this film. For the rest of us, who have been regretably desensitized, there is definitely no greater way to gain a thorough understanding of Christ's pain and suffering than to witness "The Passion". What is disgusting to me is the approach that many people--including Jeff Vice--are taking to try to undermine this film. If you don't like the message, just say so. But don't scream about violence out of one side of your mouth, while downplaying bloodthirsty films like "Kill Bill" as having a "peculiar brand of ultraviolence" and giving them 3 1/2 stars. If you CAN handle the intensity, you should see this film.

People need to understand something. The term "The Passion" refers to the last day of Christ's mortal life. You would not go to "The Passion" expecting to see the resurrection any more than you would go to, for instance, Fellowship of the Ring to see the destruction of the One Ring. I know, not at all the same stories, but what I am saying is that the FOCUS is on "The Passion of the Christ"...the last day of his mortal ministry. And they portrayed it perfectly. This movie HAS increased my spirituality greatly, I have a renewed determination to study the gospel. I also, for once in my life, did not find any problems focusing on the Savior during the Sacrament this past Sunday. I'd always *heard* and *read* about the tremendous suffering Christ went through, but all of the movies I'd seen didn't depict this at all...I'd hate to sound blasphemous, but in retrospect, in a way I guess subconsciously I had thought well He did a lot for me, I guess...but every video about Christ I'd seen ignored any aspect of suffering, so visually (which is the way I learn best) he didn't appear to go through much, and look at all the glory...doesn't seem too tough. Now, I actually have some small sense of the suffering He went through, and that has made me appreciate the Savior far more than I did just a week ago. I don't have to *convince* myself that Christ suffered for me because the Scriptures say so; I *know* He suffered for me and all the world. It has made the Scriptures come alive. It brought MEANING to Christ suffering for us. It made me realize just how much He went through, and how much we need Him. Is the suffering the focus of my faith? No. But it brought to life scripture that I had never even remotely comprehended before. Sure, I'd read it, but I couldn't picture it...and picturing things is how I learn best. Will it be this way for everyone? Probably not. My best advice is to pray and seek personal revelation as to whether or not you should see this film. That's the path I went down, and I got the answer that I had better, and I am glad I did. The Lord knows what you need to come to him. Remember the most fundamental truths of the Gospel? Jesus Christ at the center, and personal revelation. Don't let the rating be your sole determination. "Finding Nemo" was a good movie, but it didn't change me spiritually like "The Passion" has. Find out for yourself whether you should see the film or not, and don't question it if the Lord tells you to go and see it! Sam

"Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." --John 20:27-29

This is an all in all wonderful movie. It doesn't matter what your religon. It happened weither you like it or not. I admit it is hard to concentrate with all the blood, gore, and guts but it is one of those things that hits you hard a few days later!!!

I went into the theatre not really knowing what to expect. Would the film depict a Catholic point of view? Would it be to Hollywood(ish)? My husband and I was surprised by the impact this movie had on us. We are LDS and found this portrayal of Christ's last hours as close to scripture as anyone or thing could replay. I have read the gospels over and over as well as a historical book series written by Gerald Lund about the life of Christ and wonder if Mel Gibson has read the same novel series. Whether we want to admit to it or even think about it, Christ was treated with extreme cruelty, the Pharisees, the Sanhedrin and Sadducces are the ones whom the blame should be put on because they had the most to lose with every day Jesus became more and more popular. Yes they were Jews but so were all the disciples. This was the Romans way of life to torture, scourge and to complete the orders they were given, otherwise they may end up on the other end of the whip. This movie gave me a visible respect, understanding and devotion that I have ever felt before in my life. I have always be devoted to Christ my entire life, but now I feel totally and utterly committed to live up to the expectations my Heavenly Father expects from me. Even if it took a movie so be it.

I'm a mormon and this morning my friend and I went to see that movie! We went out feeling really bad.We thought this movie would have been uplifting but it was completly the opposite. Satan, a woman ????? And what was the purpose of his presence in the movie? There's nothing good to get out of this movie! Don't waste your time,and if you want to see it anyway get ready for 2 hours of bloody experience and free violence!!! Only a last question : What's the purpose of this movie?

I am not a religious person. But I have extensively studied the phenomenon of human evil from a psychosocial perspective as an academic exercise. And I must say this film wrapped together the mythological motifs of love and hatred of love in a way that was brilliant. This film shook me as has no other film I have ever seen. Jesus dying for our sins... yes, he did. As have hundreds of millions of others throughout our savage human history. They were all the recipients of the sum of our evil at the moment of their violent deaths. And perhaps that is the message that Gibson was trying to deliver amid the characters enthralled by their own violence, others with parading love that couldn't quite stand the test, and still other characters whose genuine goodness was brought forth from the shadows when confronted with such evil and hatred. This movie, and the story of Jesus, was about more than just one man's suffering. Violence at the hands of those seduced by The Father of Lies has been endured hundreds of millions of times, not just once. What makes the story of Jesus different is that he was fully aware and chose suffering nonetheless. And the movie's brilliant portrayal of Satan... the soft seduction of what are initially mild lies and justifications and laziness offered up by a character whose true ugliness is hidden away for the initial seduction, but is revealed through the savagery of the humans in the story who had already chosen to believe its (and I purposely use the term "it") lies. Satan, offering to Jesus the option of turning away from the pain of the work of love, offered at the time of death, the event that we fear above all others... and Jesus choses the road less travelled... and rarely, rarely understood. Satan stalks Mary from across the road as Mary is beset by her own question as to what degree of pain she can endure for love's sake. Failing in her courage at the most critical time in her life when the flesh-of-her-flesh needs comfort at his most critical of hours during his most lonely of journeys, she remembers the love of a mother for her young son, is buoyed by it, and goes to him even though she must endure the tremendous pain of watching him die (out of love, she does not turn away from her own task). How many times in history has this been played out? The story of Jesus chosing his suffering out of love instead of avoiding it was his most valuable gift. The film depicted the chaos and entropy and infliction of pain by those who'd given themselves over to selfishness and greed and cowardice. This film powerfully depicts their need to destroy the thing of beauty that shows them for their own chosen ugliness, and the film demonstrated the desperate savagery? of which so many of us are ultimately capable? with which they attacked that which reflected back to them their own decay. Evil is about avoiding the pain of the reflected image. How could anyone miss this message of the polar opposites embedded in the film? The savagery, destruction, and pain that the laziness of evil inflicts contraposed against the beauty of the work of authentic love and the pain that must be suffered because of it? Quite to the contrary of what so many have said, this is not a violent film. This is a film about suffering, and Mel Gibson wanted the viewer to experience just a fraction of that suffering as it would have looked like in the Rwandas, Bosnias, Cambodias, Germanys, etc., of our time... the roots of which surreptitiously grow in the small everyday events we experience and cause to be experienced, however seductive they [initially] seem in their [not-so] unimportance ("Remember when they condemn you, that they condemned me first."). The Passion of the Christ is a mirror into which we are still peering. It is a shame so many stopped at the packaging and missed the powerful message.

Although I am a devout Catholic, I thought that this movie was a waste of time. It was nothing but torture and brutality from start to finish. What little story line there is to this film, everyone already knows. Maybe I missed the point, but why would anyone want to watch such bloodshed, done in such a realistic manner? Unless you're bloodthirsty, stay away. I thought it was horrible.

An excellent film about the be trail of our Savior Jesus the Christ and a good reminder of what he was destined to go through on our behalf. (well those who know,believe and accept that he is Jesus the Christ, which is IS). I did find myself turning my head away for a lot of the brutality and I did feel that was somewhat over kill, but others have reminded me that,back then they actually were merciless and such brutality would have been common place. (Thinking about it, just their general public found joy in stoning people to death with their own hands.) I completely agreed with the way they portrayed satan and the timing. I give them 4 stars for being able to create that! I had forgotten what Christ had went through when the Fathers spirit left him and he alone went through the depths of hell taking on the sins of the world and for some reason I had forgotten some what at the extent that Christ was left alone with the enemy. Anyway, I cried the whole time but in the end I found myself more dedicated and grateful to my Savior having been reminded of what he went through for us.

Beautiful movie. Very Powerful. The movie is called ?The Passion?... not ?The Resurrection?, not ?The Garden Of Gethsemane?, which are all very important aspects of Christ?s life as are his birth, teaching, healing, and so forth. ?The Passion as it is traditionally known (from the Latin for sufferings) is the story of the last events of Christ's earthly life. Episodes and details are drawn from the four separate accounts of Gospels. But almost all versions begin with his triumphant entry into Jerusalem a few days before Passover where he is hailed as the messiah by the people and conclude with his Crucifixion where he is mocked and despised a few days later. Events and men move with ruthless speed, and an inexorable tragic necessity seems to be at work.? The Passion focuses on the human vulnerability and suffering of Jesus. The touching scenes of Mary comforting her son as a boy and as a man, her having him wash before dinner and him splashing water on her really drove home the human side of Jesus. Actually, I expected this movie to be even more graphic than it was because of what I?ve read and from what I feel Christ probably went through for mankind. "I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting." Isaiah 50:6 I wanted to take my friend?s daughter and my niece hoping that maybe if they ?see? what Christ went through for us, they would want to actually ?read? about it in the scriptures. Their response was that it was advertised as too bloody and gory - this from 2 girls who have watched Freddy and Jason at the movies for years. As for the ?R? rating, I?ve seen worse PG-13 movies but in a way it is good that it is rated an ?R? because maybe some of the people who normally wouldn?t see anything less may go and see this movie and it may be a way for God to reach them. After all, Jesus preached the Gospel to some pretty radical people. Did the Jews kill Jesus? No... "No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father." John 10:18

I really loved the movie. It followed the Scriptures perfectly. It was not done out of contexted. It was not too Hollywoody. Yes it is graphic. But what you don't understand apparently is that this really did happen. Graphic or not I really think that when it comes to the truth people don't want to believe it really happened just like that. Jesus Christ had to go through this part in his life for us. He did it because he loves us. He had the power to stop it anytime but He knew that he had to do this so that we can live with our Heavenly Father again. {the resurrection} I think if everyone would take a moment and really try to comprehend what He went though for us they would be more appreciative to Him and of Him. Bottom line is sometimes the truth hurts and is hard to except. I do think that he lengthened the beating to much but that the way he wanted it. To get the point across. I would have like him to spend more time on the Resurrected part. It makes you want to be more like Him and be Happy!!!

I am amazed that any lds person after watching this movie would be moved to anything but disgust that someone such as Mel Gibson, who cannot fathom from his uninspired vision of what Christ did or did not suffer, could seek to portray such on film! We all should already be clear on the fact that the suffering of Christ is not the highlight of the Atonement! The Garden of Gethsemane is! Further, focusing on the gore, graphic detail of the crucixtion is NOT why Christ suffered for us! So, if this movie doesnt bring us closer to what THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST teaches us about that time in his life, then it's not a necessary or accurate depiction at all. I did give Mel a star for effort though.

In response to Jeff yes someone can suffer like that and he did suffer far worse than what the movie protrays, Mel Gibson was only able to show 2 dimential side, but how can one show the instense pain that Christ suffered, one can only imagine the pain as the he was nailed to the cross. I'm thankful for the burning testitmony I have and for the film that allowed a brief glimps into pain and suffering of Christ

For my wife and I this was a one time viewing. My wife had heard it would be a religious experience. I went out of curiousity. At the end of the film we were in shock. Is there a story? Yes, however the violence and gore was not needed. My wife and I feel we are pretty hardened with violence and gore in film. I enjoyed Pulp Fiction, The Unforgiven and Kill Bill. This film surpasses anything we've seen and we felt it did not need to be made.

This is a must for anyone who has any doubts about the atonement of Christ. I have seen The Testament and many other movies throughout my life, but none touched me the way that this one did. Until I saw that movie, I did not fully appreciate what my Lord and Savior did for me. It has turned my life into something that is more meaningful. I want to live for HIM.

I am sorry to disagree with parts of your review of the Passion of the Christ. As a woman, I have been surprised to see that the men who I know have seen this movie are struggling more with the graphic violence than the women are. It?s interesting to me. To me, this movie was inspired. It is so difficult to watch the violence, but it was more difficult for Mary to watch her son suffer such ?R? rated violence which was inflicted upon him. She was willing to watch and ?suffer? with him, and so was I. I am grateful to Mel Gibson that he had enough faith in the audience that they would be strong enough to bear the suffering also. I believe that if you will think it through, witnessing this level of suffering is important for many people like me, who could not fathom, believe or want to think about what Jesus Christ suffered for all of us. I believe it?s a very personal message, and meant to be interpreted differently for every individual depending upon his own belief and understanding of this almost unbelievable, but very real event. Just wanted to give you my point of view. Sincerely, J Sanders

I do not agree with Jane's question. I am a devout member of the LDS church and let me say right off that I DON'T see 'R' rated movies. In fact the last 11 years I've only seen 2 other 'R' rated movies (Shindler's List and Amistad). I'm very against 'R' rated movies in just about every waybut after MUCH study and reading articles from prominant LDS people, including Brother Millet who is a professor of religious studies at BYU and Keith Merrill who directed "The Legacy" and "The Testaments" and both gave it raving reviews and made comments such as "everyone needs to see this movie." So I saw this movie and I loved it! It was spiritually uplifting Jane, it was powerful Jane, it was everything you said it wasn't and more! Before you judge a movie, (that Ironically you gave 3 stars), you need to see it before you judge it. Yes it is violent but there's a difference between gratuitous violence and appropriate violence. This movie was a moving experience and I did feel the spirit of the movie because I went in with the RIGHT ATTITUDE. This movie has wanted me to learn more about that time of life and to study even more about the Savior. Kudos to Mr. Gibson and his brilliant movie!

I saw The Passion tonight and I found it a very good movie. I took my older children and it made them ask questions that I was happy to have them ask. It taught them if only just a small glance, the sacrifice that was made for them. The words that struck me most is "remember when they condemn you, that they condemnd me first." I believe what it did for me is bring a story to life that I have known and heard all my life but simply could not comprehend. It was done for the most part tastefully. My only dislike was the wierd way they had Satan in it. It confused me a bit. No, no human could endure what he endured, but he was not human, he was Christ. And he said many times, we did not dertermine his death, he died when his Father decided. The R rating was for the brutality. History is brutal. The bible if rated would be rated R, and so would the Book of Mormon.

Don't let the R rating for this film scare you away from seeing it. The LDS church doesn't rate films. That's the responsibility of the motion picture folks. Just as there are some PG13 films we should not watch, there are some R rated ones that we should. This is one such film, period. You will leave the theater a different person...thanks Mel!!

jane, i went to this movie because i have agency to do as i wish ... orgill, once again, when i read your tyrade I had to go... Movies entertain, movies tell stories, movies give us details of events, movies help us with history, movies make us laugh , movies make us cry .... movies are for entertainment ... the passion of christ, read the title, passion. the film is about the savior of our world, his passion to fulfill his atoning sacrifice for me ... the evil was in this film because, and i've taken the time to study this period, it was an evil, violent time in history. think about the story .... think about the history ... if you were an adulterer, you got stoned to death by your community ... there arent enough rocks in the rocky mountains for all of that that goes on ... we live in a society that has learned from our past ... we still kill our transgressors, rightly accused, some wrongly ... so, at the point of the mountain when we electricute someone, it is no less making a point as a man, taking his cross to bear , and bearing the weight of the world ... i expected a heavy movie .. i expected a heavy topic ... i'm glad someone would make a film that would show us why mary wept ... why there was so much upheaval ... passion .... passion .... passion .... if anyone writing these things were as passionate as christ was , they would understand his desire to take the evil from the world ... thumbs up ... mature audiences ...

This movie was completely acurate and truthful. As far as the racial slurs, and the so-called "vulgar gesture", and PROFANITY that Jeff Vice said was in there, I NEVER saw that at all. Yes, it IS bloody and hard to watch..... and I would venture to guess that what Christ SUFFERED for US, was 100 times worse than what was depicted. TRUTH usually is hard to watch AND listen to. I respect Mel Gibson for making this movie. He is telling a story that NEEDS to be heard.... AGAIN. And people need to listen. God bless him for his hard work. And, by the way, I am LDS, and have been for all of my 35 years. I think this movie is soul shaking and nessesary to get people thinking and RESPECTING what was done for all of US. It was not meant to be a "pretty" movie, nor, was it meant to be easy to sit through. Why should we candy-coat what happened????? If more people saw what was REALLY done to Christ, maybe more people would start to live the lives we are meant to. This wonderful, loving man, SON OF GOD, suffered all of this for US. We have a responsibility to relay the story EXACTLY as it happened. Watering it down, so as to be palitable for those who are "uncomfortable" with it, is a down-right disrespect to Christ Himself. No one made it "comfortable" for him to go through, so, why should we be any different??? For those of you who asked if we felt good walking out of the theater, after seeing this, MY answer to you is a resounding YES. I felt grateful, HUMBLED and inspired to live better as to not offend His purpose and suffering. It snapped me back into realizing what is truly important on this earth. For those who want to stay away from this movie because of the "counsel" to not see rated "R" films........ that is YOUR right... but, I would also ask that you realize, if you voice any opinion on this film, good OR bad, you are speaking from ZERO knowledge, as you do not have the first hand account of what the movie IS.Those of us who sat there, crying and feeling helpless to save our Lord, know what the films message is. Again, Christ was not spared in any form from suffering.... let us all remember that. If SITTING in a theater, and merely WATCHING the events unfold is all we are to "suffer" , then, I think we should do that, out of respect for our Sweet Savior who OBVIOUSLY did MUCH MORE for us. No, I would not take my 10, 8, and 4 year old to see this. They are way too young to fully comprehend the meaning of it all on this level. I will, however, take my almost 17 and 14 year old sons. God bless us all, and remember, it is ok to have different opinions from others. let's all respect that and keep it KIND. FOLLOW JESUS' EXAMPLE OF LOVE AND PATIENCE.

"The Passion of Christ" is one of the best movies I have ever seen. Rest assured that I WILL buy it when it comes out for sale. I do not believe that the film deserved and R rating at all, not to mention NC-17. I give Mel Gibson nothing but critical acclaim and praise for this marvelous work! I do not have children, but if I did, I would not hesitate to allow them to see this film. I think that "The Passion of Christ" will do nothing but intensify a person's love and understanding of Jesus Christ. The gore and violence was not the worst I've seen, and it did not bother me or keep me from concentrating on the message of the film. I loved it, and I give my highest rating!

Exploitation of gore. No victory in ressurrection. Another sensationalims to shock people. Solider in IRaq have seen this or worse or been victims of atrocities themselves. Nothing uplifting by showing violence and the worse of human ability to do evil and commit unspeakable acts of torture on other human beings. In this day and age, we need movies that build and uplift not just re-estate what we already know about rage, gore, blood, hatred, evil and all that bad things that people do nowadays to each other. It's to be decided whether this movie is inspired of God or just Satan's other trick to mock and negatively depict the Savior. I would be careful. If you come out of the movie feeling bad or down, it's not a movie inspired of God. In these last days, The Devil rules, distorts and confuses. If you like gore and violence and seeing the worse in people, this is your cup of tea. But nothing surprises me anymore. As for the jews, well, they run the world anyway but I think they were very negatively depicted but it's hard to say what they were like at the time. It's too bad that for so many, this is the only idea they even have about Jesus.

I haven't seen this movie, nor do I plan to, however, I would like to ask a question to all the "devout" church members who have seen the movie and posted an opinion: why are you going against the counsel of church leaders and going to see an R-rated movie in the first place? Is this movie wholesome? Spiritually uplifting? No? Then why did you go see it?

I am a Christian/LDS filmmaker. Certainly, there has been enough said for this film on both sides of the critic?s bar that my two cents may merely appear as the widow?s mite compared to so many other offerings. But I offer it nonetheless. I left the theater feeling absolutely drained of strength. The paper map I had entered the theater with, and subsequently held in my hand during the screening, was twisted and crushed into a shapeless ball, frayed at every edge that could be accessed by a fingernail and moist with cold perspiration. I was surprisingly dry-eyed for most of the film. I had heard stories of people leaving the theater still dissolving into fits of sobs. It occurred to me that for the non-Christ-minded person ? an individual unfamiliar with the gospel and life of our Lord, and consequently unfamiliar with the tender feelings of the Spirit as He speaks the truth of this divine sacrifice to our soul ? this film would probably shock them in foreign ways. But I found myself following this portrayal of the last few hours of Jesus Christ on earth with steady familiarity. Gibson embraces his artistic license in the art of storytelling. His Catholic garters show through substantially with his portrayals of Satan. As a matter of fact, the portrayal of evil in the film is really the only true weakness I felt. It?s always difficult to portray ethereal evil with any visual justice and I suppose he did as well as anyone could. The true evil that bludgeons every film-goer over the head with relentless onslaught is the incomprehensible cruelty of Man toward his fellow man. There are scenes in this film that defy the imagination of the most intolerable cruelty. It is horror at its worst... because it?s all true: Roman guards (who make Dr. Hannibal Lecter look like a saint) perform grizzly, unbridled torture upon the body of Christ before our very eyes. The film is filled from corner to corner with endless blood, pain, and unbearable suffering. It is not for the faint-hearted. On the other hand, it remains true to the divine identity of Christ. There were several beautifully executed flashbacks in the film, as characters remember their interactions with Jesus and as Christ remembers his own life. The relationship Gibson develops between Jesus and his mother, Mary (magnificently played by Maia Morgenstern), is truly tender: the best I?ve ever seen. Jim Caviezel?s portrayal of Christ is dignified and worshipful. Truly, he helps us see the Son of God clothed in human frailty; His divine spirit straining against the powers of mortality. In fact, it is my belief that this ?extreme reality? version of our Lord?s sacrifice is portrayed with worshipful and reverent intent. It is reverent, in my opinion, to respect the depth of our Savior?s sacrifice by not glossing over the finer points of history that offend our modern-day sophisticated sensitivities. By saying so, I am NOT recommending this film for children, whose ?sensitivities? are still very tender and unrefined... and should remain so. Gibson and Caviezel were true to the end to the divine essence of our Savior. The words and actions of Christ were congruent with scriptural accounts (allowing leniency for translation from Aramaic spoken throughout the film). The only exception to this was a wonderful scene between an adult pre-mission Jesus and his mother. It added greatly to develop both characters and served to increase our innate, very human connection with them. It was one of my favorite scenes in the film. Truly, every person who views this film will walk out with a different experience unique to their own perspective. It?s the kind of film that returns to you whatever you take in to it. That would seem to me to be the makings of a work of art and in this case, a work of ?adoration.?

I am a devout, faithful Mormon and went into the movie theater last night somewhat concerned about what I might experience as I watched Mel Gibson?s movie, The Passion of the Christ. I had followed the news these last several months and read and heard about all of the detailed ?gruesomeness? that this movie would portray of the last suffering hours of Jesus Christ?s life. Yes, I did force myself to shut my eyes during many of the scenes where Christ was scourged at the hands of the Romans and then further tortured as he carried the cross to Calvary. All in all, the movie was well made with the exception of a few things such as the apparel of the Jewish Sanhedrin ? it was a little too extravagant or flashy for that period so to me it cheapened a little the ?authentic look? for the movie. Seeing through all of the graphic violence in this movie that depicts Christ?s suffering, I was able to walk out of this show having a greater knowledge and appreciation of Christ?s tremendous sacrifice for all of mankind.

This movie is so Powerful. It is going to make people talk. It is a phenominal emotional roller coaster with no stop on sight. I saw this movie last night and am still reeling over it. Yes it is very graphic. But you can not just imply what is going on that is where the power comes from. The Filmakers visuals are extrodinary in the telling of the story. I usually avoid subtitled movies, it really wasn't an issue with this movie. It is not a movie for those with small children. but I would rcomend it to anyone else.

I wanted this film to be a spiritual milepost in movie making history. I wanted it to be inspiring and uplifting and faith-building. I knew it would be extremely violent and gruesome, I was prepared for that. My hope was that witnessing this graphic depiction of Jesus's suffering and death would enlarge and deepen my understanding of his transcendent, infinite, incomprehensible sacrifice. It did not. While I admire and applaud Mel Gibson's courage and faith, and his passion for the subject, I have to say that his film fell far short of my expectations. Except for a few (too few) very brief flashbacks of Christ's life, the entire film wallows and revels in extreme suffering, excruciating pain, vicious torment and unrelenting gore. The Jewish leaders and rabble are all depicted as blood-thirsty madmen, the Roman soldiers only as sadistic fiends. At every turn, we are shown only evil, violence, blood and death. There is no uplift when it's over, no rejoicing at Christ's victory over sin and death, which is the entire point of his suffering. We see demons and devils, but no angels. I believe that Jesus suffered in the way depicted in this film, and more. But I came away without having been offered even a modicum of feeling for his gospel, which, after all, means "GOOD news." NOTE: This film is NOT for children. The violence is far too extreme. It should have been rated NC-17. I cannot recommend it to anyone.

Well since I am an atheist I just looked at it as interesting fiction. Is it possible for the human body to take that much punishment?

Don't eat before you go.

If I could give this movie more stars, I would. Jeff Vice is wrong once again. Two stars? Yes, the film is violent. The tortures that were inflicted upon Jesus were horrific. But how many of us really know what happens when someone is scourged? This movie really brings home what Jesus suffered...for ALL of us. Not for the faint of heart, and don't buy popcorn, because there's no possible way you're going to be able to eat while watching it. I thought that a film with subtitles like this would have less of an impact--that the subtitles would be distracting. They're not. This movie is a must-see, for adults, anyway. This is not for the kiddies, at all. And the charges that the film is anti-Semitic are ridiculous. The only people that defended Jesus were Jews, and Jesus Himself was a Jew. The Romans come off the worst in this, as they laugh while torturing Him. This film is extraordinarily moving, and is far more than a dry retelling of the Gospel story. I can't recommend it enough.