Over almost 2000 years, the teachings act, and charisma of Jesus of Nazareth have captivated humankind's imagination.
Countless sketches, paintings, murals, and sculptures have been created in his honor by artists.
From scholarly treatises to novels and Broadway musicals, he has appeared as a major or minor figure in all forms of writing.
Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ is the most current in a long line of films based on his life and work.
Although the term passion has been associated with romance, its Latin origins allude to anguish and agony; later Christian theology enlarged it to encompass Christ's love for humanity, which led him to suffer and die for us.
"The Passion of the Christ" depicts Christ's last hours. Although based on the Four Gospels of the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the movie also extensively draws on the Fourteen Stations of the Cross, which are well-known to Catholics across the globe.
There are extremely few depictions of Christ's teachings.
The film is not intended to preach.
It is not intended to substitute for religious teaching or induce you to flail in the aisles because the Holy Spirit has touched you.
It offers an exceedingly vivid representation of the fundamental essence of Christianity — Christ's death and resurrection.
The film is best described in a single word: "powerful," and it is plainly propelled by the Passion of a passionate man, Mel Gibson.
A film like this could only have been made by a guy of immense faith.
This film is a brilliant filmmaker's prayer, but it's also a limited and terrifying view of a narrative that, regardless of your religion, is bigger than any attempt to depict it on film.
It's rather graphic.
It's unforgiving.
It is a bloodbath.
As a film, it's a polite and sensitive presentation of a narrative that has arguably had more influence on the globe than any other in history.
It includes powerful moments, amazing cinematography, and some breathtaking visuals.
However, it does not provide people unfamiliar with the story's specifics or significance with enough knowledge of Jesus and the other characters to express everything it intends to convey.
The violence is meant to be shocking, and it certainly is — it's vast, detailed, and genuinely hard to witness.
Gibson has created a personal account of his experiences.
Jesus is fulfilling a prophecy stated in the film's opening shot; Jesus has decided to offer his life out of love for his friends, and he is making all things new via his suffering.
If his death is grotesque and heartbreaking, it emphasizes the significance of the sacrifice. Gibson has carefully picked parts of Jesus' teachings to underscore this message, including the familiar words from the Last Supper about "my flesh and my blood offered for you."
The Passion of the Christ is a consistent and highly well-constructed expression of the director's beliefs.
Some early critics have expressed concern that the plot does not give adequate background for the events of Jesus' last hours.
Why did he pose such a danger to Jewish and Roman authorities?
How could the audience turn on him?
What did he stand for, and what did he teach?
However, while such facts may appear to be required for successful movie story development, they are irrelevant in this case.
Men of faith believe that the heavens and the earth were created by God.
It is referred to as the big bang theory by scientists and historians.
There will always be a conflict when religion, politics, or science collide as long as there is humanity.
Whether you agree or disagree with the tale being presented on film or who killed Jesus of Nazareth and why there is one inescapable fact to be found at the end of it all: Mel Gibson's Passion has provided us with a once-in-a-lifetime movie experience.
It's a movie about an ideology. A belief that is completely comprehending the Passion is required for Christianity to make sense. Gibson has conveyed his concept with unwavering zeal.
Author: Akash R. Ekka
Editor: Rachita Biswas