"The Passion," IS going to stir unprecedented passion in those who see it. Judging by a lengthy series of scenes from the film just aired by CNN (Asian Edition), it can be said that the film crosses cinematic lines like none other. The graphic, ripping, primal violence inflicted upon flesh, whether believed to be divine flesh or only sublimely human flesh, surpasses anything this author--and WGA (screenwriter's Guild of America) member--has seen in a commercially released motion picture to date. The historian and writer in me applauds the authenticity of the true barbarity of crucifixion Mr. Gibson has painstakingly rendered in his film.
However, if the scenes, dialogue and commentary aired by CNN are an accurate portrayal of the film's story, then the same historian and writer parts of me are appalled at the film's dangerously erroneous assertion that Pilate was blameless and that it was a Jewish mob alone that cried out for the torture and murder of Jesus. That is not only a gross historical inaccuracy, it is shameful anti-semitism. Should such a film or idea be banned or censored? Absolutely not. Should it and its allegedly hateful message be argued against? If true, yes, loudly and passionately.
That argument has been joined well and strongly in The New York Times. I was going to blog its review of the movie in these pages. But again, Richard at The Peking Duck, has beaten me to it:
