Should have seen this one coming. The Simpsons warned us. In the episode when Mel Gibson wanted Homer's help to make his remake of Mr Smith Goes to Washington better, they both agreed the ending needed to be violent. Didn't work out, but Gibson's bloodlust was there. So, would it be a surprise when he got on the director's chair he would unleash a gorefest?
This movie, like many others is based on a book, or rather 4 books. 4 books that differ in major plot elements cobbled together to form a coherent story. The Gospels
Background
Of all the movies to start as a director, Mel chooses the crucifixion of Jesus. Released in 2004, this movie gained some controversy. First is the mentioned levels of violence leveled at one character. Another is the claim that the movie promotes anti-semitism, a factor parodied in South Park. Perhaps most unusual is that there are stories of parents actually taking kids to see this movie.
Plot
So the movie starts with the “son of God” praying fearfully in a moonlight garden, having a go at his posse for not keeping watch for the boogieman or something. So while the messiah is begging for the cup to be passed from him, he is taunted by the most androgynous Satan ever to appear on screen. So Jesus is arrested when a reluctant Judas leads the Sanhedrin to him. The other apostles attempt to resist and despite overpowering the armed soldiers, Jesus surrenders and is taken to the high priests with beatings on the way.
So as the somewhat worse for wear demigod is brought in questioning, the high priest asks Yeshua outright if he is the messiah. He blatantly claims to be, earning him a beating for blasphemy. I guess they were expecting that Emmanuel guy.
So after Judas tries to talk the Sanhedrin to talking the money back and releasing Jesus, we find the guilt ridden man tormented by demonic children whom later force him to hang himself.
So Jesus is brought to Pilate, the Imperial Governor of Judia for crucifixion, but Pilate does not see Jesus as his problem so sends him to Herod, King of Galilee, whom sends him back to Pilate.
Pilate tries to satisfy the crowd by having Yeshua severely whipped but not killed. So begins one of the bloodiest scenes in film. So this thing goes on for 10 minutes and you can a chunk of him torn right off, exposing some ribs. Watching this go on is that androgynous Satan now sporting a creepy kid of his/her own. At the end of it, Jesus is nothing but a bloody mess.
Despite this however, the priest and the crowd demand his execution to which Pilate responds with his literal washing his hands on the matter, telling them I ain’t responsible for this shit.
So now we come to the main event, the condemned is given his cross and led out of the city passing through jeering mobs and being beating mercilessly. A man is made to assist Jesus in carrying the cross, who later feels sorry for the condemned,
So have a long and brutal trek through Jerusalem we finally get to the nailing up. We are treated to flashbacks while not a lot happens until they get round to actually putting him on the cross. The camera likes to make sure the viewer see the nails go through, the agony and the sadistic faces of the Romans. One of his fellow condemn challenges his to free himself if he is who he claims to be. His challenge is met with a crow gouging his eyes out.
So after a long time, Jesus finally snuffs it and suddenly an earthquake devastates the temple, the one Jesus claimed he would destroy and rebuild in 3 days. There is panic among the Romans as some weird shit happens. Jesus is then lowered from the cross and entombed in respect of it being a Friday night (Sabbath) and not stuck in a ditch as would be the case. The final shot of the movie Jesus waking up, all but the holes in his hands regenerated and finally the end credits.
Intended Message
It seems clear to me that the main message here is the pain and agony Jesus had to go through to allow mankind to be forgiven of sin. It also seems to show how brutal those who do not believe in him are. While the Sanhedrin are indeed the most demanding of Jesus' blood, it is the romans who are more than willing to supply it.
Final Comments
Wow, just wow. This is a sadist's wet dream. The flogging scene and the crucifixion seemed to be needlessly drawn out. Kinda alternated between disgusting and boring. I guess they wanted to draw out the torture in an attempt to show what he went through "for us." Like there isn't enough needless guilt.
I must admit, I think it interesting given the level of blood in this movie they chose the hanging death for Judas as opposed to the gut spill in Acts. Either they wanted some sympathy for the Patron Saint of Thankless Tasks. (Idea from Peter Gilmore's Review: A Clockwork Messiah)
One question remains on my mind. The mosiac law teaches blasphemers are to be stoned to death, so why the need to have the romans use their method of execution?
I am also disturbed about the stories I hear of parents showing this movie to their kids. If I had kids I certainly wouldn't show them this. If I wanna tramatise them, I'll use a more entertaining movie like The Toxic Avenger or Robocop. At least you can enjoy most of the deaths as they're bad guys.
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