BB FANS

It's one of those films that lots of people have strong opinions about. good and bad, mostly bad in this case but I'll go see it and make my own mind up.

I see Life of Brian has been re-released in the US this weekend as a funnier alternative to passion.

It was just as controversial in it's it's day though but is my favourite film of all time.

I have a fwiend in Wome, you know.

All hail woger...he is of the highest **** in town!!!

You know I have no idea what it's about I'm rubbish with keeping up with things.

Just to let you know there's a programme on sunday evening about the making of this film with Mel Gibson

Adrian L.....well just returned from the film, and letting you know what I think, just as I promised you.

I write this from my heart and hope you can accept these are my thoughts and my feelings of the film. I tried not to read up on any reviews because it is up to me to discover what the film depicts and the message 'I' alone received from it. (Please understand this is not a reflection on anyone - I speak from my own perspective because I am the only person I can speak for).

As we have mentioned before, each one of us will probably come to a point in their lives where we question things (be this during teenage years/ early/ mid or late adulthood).....we search our hearts and our souls openly and honestly, and challenge what life is all about and 'why' we are here. "What is our purpose". I believe this to be highly personal and I fully respect when and/or if a person wishes to do this. Again I say it is upto the indivdual. From my experience, we only do something when we as individuals are ready & able to do it- whatever that may be.

I understand that this is quite deep but feel I need to explain a couple of things first before I can describe the film to you. What I say, and am about to say is not a judgement on anyone, for I am no-one to judge others. For many years I denied Christ, during this time I became very selfish and was only concerned about what I felt the world owed me. I did some dreadful things and hurt many people. I was fiercly independent and thought I could practically take on the world. Certain events in my life brought me to question why am I still here, and why are my loved ones still here. My personal journey brought me to the conclusion that there is something bigger. For me that is the Lord. (Again I tell you this is personal not a judgement or critism on anyone/thing else)

With all this in mind, the film to me was less of a movie and more of an experience. I will not deny that some of the scenes are horrific, and at some points stomach renching. However, in my opinion I would question why these things had been omitted, when my belief is that these things really did happen. It is a film based on real conviction, and a lot of what you will see if you watch it, will be based on Mel Gibson's (to a certain degree) personal journey. I think it has probably been a really challenge for Mel Gibson to do. It has left him open to critism, in the same way as I write this.....because I believe both things come from the heart. (Will be honest and say I feel some amount of fear of rejection by wrting this). I believe how you perceive the film is how you feel inside. What I take from the film will most probably be different to what you take from the film. No-one is right, just different, and that has to be honoured and respected. What I got out of the film's content....is that albeit very graphic the message of perfect love came through. Personally, I can not grasp or claim to know how something so pure could exist. I trust that it is awesome because what He went through WAS horrific, and it was done out of complete love for us. (Again I am simply expressing my view, do not expect other to share this).

The actual production rating of the film was good, have seen better, but I can fully understand it is very difficult to encompass everything in a way that suits all.

I could go on more about it....but really: what does my opinion matter....in the end up is it your opinion that really matters to you. What I would say is....go and see it for yourself....and you decide what you alone got from it. If you do go and see it then I would be happy to discuss it further should it be your wish.

I trust you will respect what I have written, and hope it has answered your question.

Best wishes

TCx

You have written very well TCBon and I am very please that you were able to have an obviously moving experience from film.
As you said we are all different but your opinion is very important to us on the forum so please don't feel like you can't give it freely.

Thanks for that TC. A woman preached at our church today about it. It had had a very profound affect on her too. I am hoping to go and see it on Wednesday with some friends. Have mixed feelings about going but my belief is as yours. It really did happen and would be wrong of me to try and pretty it all up when it would not have been a pretty sight at all. I will let you know what I think soon.

Thanks HC and CC. Appreciate it.

CC - I do trust the people on here . I think what I'm trying to say is that when something is SO personal to you and is at the core of your being it's difficult to express it as openly and as honestly as I have done here. I hasten to add my concerns are not based on anyone's elses actions, instead on how I feel inside!! It's worth noting that since Mel Gibson directed this himself, he is, (as mentioned earlier), to a certain degree sharing with us part of what he is feeling inside too.

So very often in the past I was quick to criticise (and therefore to disrespect) and to coin and much used cliche....what goes around comes around. I may/ may not be dissimilar to Mel Gibson, as I may/ may not be different to a lot of people on this forum, but I have to respect the man for opening up to nations what he feels SO strongly about, and in doing so open himself up to the possibility of en-masse judgement. (I guess in some way a similar situation arose with Cameron in BB). All I will say and I say it with complete honesty, is that if we are quick to criticise this film, stop and think why you are doing it. What the outcome of that 'questioning' is personal to you!

Till later.

I was wonder what an athestic or an agnostic or even a Jew would make of this film...I haven't seen it but to them it would just be a made up story...

...just thinking ....

....many thanks, fot the review
and your views.

Thanks for your thoughts and review TCBon.

Would be very interested in hearing the above's views on the film. I think it would still be a very powerful film if they did view it as just a 'made up story'.

If you cried at these other films then I can almost guarantee you'll cry at this film. A scene with Mary (wont tell you any more) was very emotional.

Thank you A for your sensitivity with my review/ thoughts...it really is appreciated. Thank you.

Yes that is a thought CDV. I'll be very interested too.

I heard Vanessa Feltz talking about it on TV the other day and she is a Jewess. She found it very violent, which it is by all accounts, but didn't comment on any other aspect of the film. Obviously Jews don't believe in Jesus, unless they're Messianic Jews, and it's an interesting one... any Jewish readers here who would like to comment? Also, the media have focussed on the supposed anti-semitic feeling in the film; it would be interesting to know if that is felt too... How ironic that Jesus himself was a Jew!!

My sister saw the film and commented on how people who don't know the Bible won't catch all that's intended in the flashbacks as they won't know the story. Also, that it wouldn't have harmed the film to have included more of Jesus's ministry, rather than focussing only on His death.

I've not seen it yet but feel it's one of those films which I should see, but don't want to see. Just like the holocaust happened and was the subject of Schindler's List, The Passion of the Christ is about history and shouldn't be ignored.

Thanks TC for sharing your heart and Adrian for starting the subject.

With respect - you cannot compare the Holocaust
with Christs crucifiction.

The former, is of historical fact, the latter, is the basis of a belief system, and no 100% proof has ever been offered for its
happening.
You're confusing fact with belief...and that's plain dangerous