[Aredubjay]

I saw the movie this past Sunday. I am not a "religious" person (I differentiate between "religious" and "spiritual"). I am not a church goer. I AM a Christian. I found the movie to be #1) A cinemagraphic work of art. #2) An accurate depiction of the four gospels as I've studied them (yes, with some creative license in the periphery, but still accurate), and #3) An excellent vehicle for making Christ real to Christians and Non-Christians alike.

It is abhorrently violent, but the process itself is abhorrently violent. The thing is, the violence may have even stopped short of an actual depiction of the true violence exacted.

Anti semitic? I didn't see it. I, of course held more contempt for the Romans. Does that make it an "anti-Roman" movie. I don't think so. The fact that these were the people of THAT day does not reflect upon the people of THIS day, any more than the movies of the Holocaust reflect upon the Germans of today. The historical fact is that the Jews and the Romans were co-habitants of Jerusalem at the time and therefore responsible for the events in their jurisdiction. However, NOBODY was "responsible" for Christ's death. He WILLINGLY gave up his life. He didn't have to die if he didn't want to, so, those who say that "anyone" is to blame are not in tune with the WHOLE story.

As a Christian, the most significant "take away" I got from the movie was the shame I felt that I had, basically, relegated (unconsciously) Christ to a character in a Bible story, and though having a personal relationship, did not fully appreciate Him. The movie reminded me of His "realness."