Mel Gibson's, The Passion-a letter

[Lightside]

Very interesting letter written by Dr. Dobson's daughter about the new movie of the last 12 hours

of Jesus Christs earthly life.

This letter was written by the daughter of James Dobson. It was written after a private screening she and her father had of "The Passion", Mel Gibson's movie about Christ's final hours.

Dear Friends:

A couple months ago, I had the unique privilege of accompanying my family to Mel Gibson's studio to see a private screening of his film, The Passion. Many of you have probably heard about this portrayal of the last 12 hours in the earthly life of Jesus Christ. I can say that The Passion is the most beautiful, profound, accurate, disturbing, realistic, and bloody depiction of this story that I have ever seen! It is truly amazing, and it left all of us speechless for a few minutes when it was over.

Mr.. Gibson entered the room during the last ten minutes of the screening, and stayed for an hour to discuss the content and to answer questions. He's hoping that my dad and Focus on the Family will help promote it, and my dad has (without question!) agreed to do so.

Mr.. Gibson expressed a concern about his position in the entertainment industry, and said that this film will affect his status from here on. When asked why he made the movie, he said that he had no choice in the matter--he felt called to the assignment, and he was determined to carry it out. Questions had been raised as to whether he can find a distributor. Asked about it at the screening, Mr.. Gibson said confidently, "Oh, I'll find a distributor!"

The Passion should not be labeled a religious film, or something to be shown only in churches. Compared with examples of recent Christian films, like Left Behind, The Passion is a work of high art and great storytelling. The rough cut I saw contained graphic scenes, including the seemingly endless scourging of Jesus. The crucifixion scene is long, bloody and painful to watch. It's very disturbing, but it's also moving at the same time. While I was taking all of this in, I was thinking, "Christ did this for ME, and he would have gone through it if I was the only one in all the world, and the same goes for each person who has ever lived!"

To those in the Jewish community who worry that the film, which is scheduled for release next Easter season ('04), might contain anti-Semitic elements, or encourage people to persecute Jews, fear not. The film does not indict Jews for the death of Jesus. It is faithful to the New testament account. Also, Mr.. Gibson, a devout Roman Catholic, does not elevate Mary beyond what Scripture says of her, which will broaden the film's appeal to Protestants.

The dialogue is in Aramaic and Latin. English subtitles are provided, and they are very helpful in following the story line. A decision about using them in the final version has not been made. My family and I tried to persuade Mr.. Gibson to leave the subtitles in, and my dad pointed out that those who are unbelievers (or those who are weak in their understanding) will have no idea of what's going on in the flashback scenes of Jesus' life without subtitles.

In The Passion, few liberties are taken with the Gospel account, and the extra dialogue added helps round out the characters without damaging historical or Biblical accuracy.

Satan is cleverly played as an asexual being who at first seems to be an observer in the Garden of Gethsemane (and other scenes), but then becomes a snake slithering between the character's feet and attempting to wrap itself around the arm of the prostrate and praying Jesus.

The film is an intense two hours. It uses unknown actors, which keeps the focus on the message. By the end of the film (a unique portrayal of the Resurrection), the viewer is exhausted!

Thirteen years ago, actor Mickey Rooney wrote an editorial for Variety in which he said, "The onscreen depiction of religion is less than flattering, and, as a Christian, I pray the era of denigrating religion on screen comes to a screeching halt. And soon."

His prayer has been answered in The Passion. It is a soul-stirring film that deserves wide distribution and viewing.

Its message is not just for Christians, but for everyone. I hope you all will support Mel Gibson's bold and courageous effort to portray the sacrifice that our Lord made for us. Pass this email on, if you feel led, and be sure to see The Passion when it comes out. Yes, it is a disturbing film, but every person should see this realistic depiction of what Christ did for them!

Blessings to you,

Danae Dobson

More about the movie from Paul Harvey

The majority of the media are complaining about this movie. Now Paul

Harvey tells "The Rest of the Story" and David Limbaugh praises

Gibson.

Most people would wait and see a movie before giving the reviews that

have been issued by the reporters trying to tell all of us what to believe.

Paul Harvey's words:

I really did not know what to expect. I was thrilled to have been

invited to a private viewing of Mel Gibson's film "The Passion," but

I had also read all the cautious articles and spin. I grew up in a

Jewish town and owe much of my own faith journey to the influence. I

have a life long, deeply held aversion to anything that might even

indirectly encourage any form of anti-Semitic thought, language or

actions.

I arrived at the private viewing for "The Passion", held in

Washington DC and greeted some familiar faces. The environment was

typically Washingtonian, with people greeting you with a smile but

seeming to look beyond you, having an agenda beyond the words. The

film was very briefly introduced, without fanfare, and then the room

darkened.

From the gripping opening scene in the Garden of

Gethsemane, to the very human and tender portrayal of the earthly

ministry of Jesus, through the betrayal, the arrest, the scourging,

the way of the cross, the encounter with the thieves, the surrender

on the Cross, until the final scene in the empty tomb, this was not

simply a movie; it was an encounter, unlike anything I have ever

experienced.

In addition to being a masterpiece of film-making and an artistic

triumph, "The Passion" evoked more deep reflection, sorrow and

emotional reaction within me than anything since my wedding, my

ordination or the birth of my children. Frankly, I will never be the

same When the film concluded, this "invitation only" gathering of

"movers and shakers" in Washington, DC were shaking indeed, but

this time from sobbing. I am not sure there was a dry eye in the

place. The crowd that had been glad-handing before the film was now

eerily silent. No one could speak because words were woefully

inadequate. We had experienced a kind of art that is a rarity in

life, the kind that makes heaven touch earth.

One scene in the film has now been forever etched in my mind. A

brutalized, wounded Jesus was soon to fall again under the weight of

the cross. His mother had made her way along the Via Della Rosa. As

she ran to him, she flashed back to a memory of Jesus as a child,

falling in the dirt road outside of their home. Just as she reached

to protect him from the fall, she was now reaching to touch his

wounded adult face. Jesus looked at her with intensely probing and

passionately loving eyes (and at all of us through the screen) and

said "Behold I make all things new." These are words taken from the

last Book of the New Testament, the Book of the Revelation. Suddenly,

the purpose of the pain was so clear and the wounds, that earlier in

the film had been so difficult to see in His face, His back, indeed

all over His body, became intensely beautiful. They had been borne

voluntarily for love.

At the end of the film, after we had all had a chance to recover, a

question and answer period ensued. The unanimous praise for the film,

from a rather diverse crowd, was as astounding as the compliments

were effusive. The questions included the one question that seems to

follow this film, even though it has not yet even been released. "Why

is this film considered by some to be "anti-Semitic?" Frankly, having

now experienced (you do not "view" this film) "the Passion" it is a

question that is impossible to answer. A law professor whom I admire

sat in front of me. He raised his hand and responded "After watching

this film, I do not understand how anyone can insinuate that it even

remotely presents that the Jews killed Jesus. It doesn't." He

continued "It made me realize that my sins killed Jesus". I agree.

There is not a scintilla of anti-Semitism to be found anywhere in

this powerful film. If there were, I would be among the first to

decry it. It faithfully tells the Gospel story in a dramatically

beautiful, sensitive and profoundly engaging way.

Those who are alleging otherwise have either not seen the film or

have another agenda behind their protestations. This is not a

"Christian" film, in the sense that it will appeal only to those who

identify themselves as followers of Jesus Christ. It is a deeply

human, beautiful story that will deeply touch all men and women. It

is a profound work of art. Yes, its producer is a Catholic Christian

and thankfully has remained faithful to the Gospel text; if that is

no longer acceptable behavior than we are all in trouble History

demands that we remain faithful to the story and Christians have a

right to tell it. After all, we believe that it is the greatest story

ever told and that its message is for all men and women. The greatest

right is the right to hear the truth.

We would all be well advised to remember that the Gospel narratives

to which "The Passion" is so faithful were written by Jewish men who

followed a Jewish Rabbi whose life and teaching have forever changed

the history of the world. The problem is not the message but those

who have distorted it and used it for hate rather than love. The

solution is not to censor the message, but rather to promote the kind

of gift of love that is Mel Gibson's filmmaking masterpiece, "The

Passion."

It should be seen by as many people as possible. I intend to do

everything I can to make sure that is the case. I am passionate about

"The Passion." You will be as well. Don't miss it!

-- Paul Harvey

[This message was edited by Lightside on January 22, 2004 at 13:51.]

[Watered Garden]

I'll go see it for sure. I think Mel Gibson has developed as a man and an actor a lot over the years. His faith has undoubtedly played a part in that.

With all of the ultra-liberaland ultra-vocal Hollywood elite, I think Gibson has a lot of guts to carry out his mission.

WG

[year2027]

God

God loves Lightside

Hi Lightside

I look forward to seeing it

Thanks

with love

Roy

[BelieversTrumpet]

I cannot wait to see it. Although I doubt it will show the four others crucified with him.

[Goey]

I don't really care about the four others or two others or however many there were.

It's the guy in the middle that I am interested in.

Goey

"Most of my fondest memories in TWI never really happened"

[A la prochaine]

Lightside,

Thanks for posting that letter. I can't wait to see it.

I am an avid Mel fan and have always found him an incredible actor and director. Whenever Mel decides to do a film and wants to tell a story ... you better move over and take note. It will move you, it will overwhelm you.

ALA's top 5 picks of Mel movies...

#1 Braveheart

#2 The Year of Living Dangerously

#3 The Bounty

#4 The Man Without A Face

#5 Ransom & Lethal Weapon (the 1st one)

:D-->

'til the next time...

[Littlehawk]

amen goey!

[Ginger Tea]

...I'll wait and you all can tell me about it.

Yeah, Goey, that's right ~ who really cares about the p.r. of twi.

[Kevlar2000]

A side note -

I love it when the various groups start frothing at the mouth about a movie they didn't even bother to see. It just makes me want to see it all that much more.

Kevlar - Not thick, just impenetrable.