More On The Passion
Dennis asked a question over here about whether someone who wasn't a believer and who maybe doesn't know the story inside and out would get anything out of seeing The Passion. I answered him in the original thread, but the response turned out to be so long I figured I'd put it here also since I'm sure there are more folks with the same questions:
I'm not sure you would get much out of it. Without already knowing the story quite well, it'd just be a 2+ hour beating with some flashbacks that'll make no sense. Granted, the beating he takes is monumental and will probably change your perception of how harsh crucifixions were, but I'm not sure thats worth $7.
The flashbacks are probably the most difficult part of this movie for somebody who doesn't already know the whole story. They aren't explained at all, and its not readily evident exactly whats going on and what it means without some quick thinking back to bible stories.
As for the 'magic' parts, the only thing in the entire movie is the resurrection, which occupies maybe 2 minutes and a healing at the very beginning which takes another 2 or so minutes. The other 2 hours and 2 minutes is just the straight story of his arrest, 'conviction' and death.
Its not a preachy movie at all though, so if you decide to go just to see the spectacle, you will not feel like the film is trying to convert you or convince you of anything.
For those of you who aren't intimately familiar with the story of Jesus death, I'd really suggest you at least try and find a condensed version of the story so that you'll know who the characters are because the movie does not introduce anybody. From the IMDB site, you'll need to know who the following people are: Mary, Mary Magdalene, Barabbas, Pontius Pilate, Peter, John, Judas, Simon and Herod. You ought to also take a glance at the stations of the cross because the screenplay is based on these 14 events.
I'm not sure you would get much out of it. Without already knowing the story quite well, it'd just be a 2+ hour beating with some flashbacks that'll make no sense. Granted, the beating he takes is monumental and will probably change your perception of how harsh crucifixions were, but I'm not sure thats worth $7.
The flashbacks are probably the most difficult part of this movie for somebody who doesn't already know the whole story. They aren't explained at all, and its not readily evident exactly whats going on and what it means without some quick thinking back to bible stories.
As for the 'magic' parts, the only thing in the entire movie is the resurrection, which occupies maybe 2 minutes and a healing at the very beginning which takes another 2 or so minutes. The other 2 hours and 2 minutes is just the straight story of his arrest, 'conviction' and death.
Its not a preachy movie at all though, so if you decide to go just to see the spectacle, you will not feel like the film is trying to convert you or convince you of anything.
For those of you who aren't intimately familiar with the story of Jesus death, I'd really suggest you at least try and find a condensed version of the story so that you'll know who the characters are because the movie does not introduce anybody. From the IMDB site, you'll need to know who the following people are: Mary, Mary Magdalene, Barabbas, Pontius Pilate, Peter, John, Judas, Simon and Herod. You ought to also take a glance at the stations of the cross because the screenplay is based on these 14 events.
# | February 29, 2004