Gibson relaunches "Passion of Christ" with a new cut (Low Violence)

[kskiska]

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Hollywood mogul Mel Gibson will release a new, low-violence version of his 2004 surprise mega-hit "The Passion of Christ" next month.

The star, dubbed Hollywood's most powerful figure since the huge success of the low-budget, graphically gory film, is trimming five to six minutes of violent scenes ahead of the film's March 11 reappearance on US screens, Daily Variety reported Thursday..

The original film raked in 370.2 million dollars in its North American run that began on Ash Wednesday one year ago, but Gibson noted that many people had avoided the film because of its grisly portrayal of Jesus Christ being tortured by Roman troops.

"There has been quite a demand by the religious community to bring (the film) back for Easter," Bruce Davey, Gibson's partner at Icon Productions, told Variety.

"And there has been a lot of discussion about the violence. Mel wanted to try and accommodate those people by making a version that is softer and gentler," he said.

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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1506&ncid=1506&e=4&u=/afp/20050210/ts_alt_afp/afplifestylefilmgibson

[merwin]

1. New Version: 10 minutes long

[progressivebydesign]

2. Too brilliant! Thanks for the chuckle! n/t

[saigon68]

20. WOW WOW "version that is softer and gentler," he said.

softer and gentler sounds like a toilet paper you wipe your ass with.

A Softer and Gentler Crucifixion. Maybe a few cuddly rabbits or Teddy Bears can nail the guy to the Cross.

[BrklynLiberal]

3. bwaahaahaaa. If cuts out all the blood and gore that would be about right

[MADem]

5. But what about the portrayal of the Jews?

Does he superimpose cartoons over them? Change them into Romans? Or maybe naughty bunny rabbits?

I've no interest in seeing it. But for those who want to, have at it; it's still, though not for long, a free country in that regard.

I have a sneaking suspicion that they'll be dragging this dead fish of a film out twice a year for the forseeable future, much like we had to suffer that lameass Charlton Heston's MOSES, ad infinitum.

[jdj]

35. Probably squeezed in 10 more minutes of anti-semitism to round it out.

[IndianaGreen]

17. New version, a musical: "Springtime with Jesus"

NO amount of editing can save this film!

[Bridget Burke]

32. Like "Sex & the City" without the naughty bits....

What's the point?

[apple_ridge]

39. I don't remember anything but violence in that movie, so you are

probably right on the money with the time!!

[w4rma]

4. I wish he's show a bit of Jesus's message in his movie.

Maybe some quotes of Jesus preaching the Sermon from the mount? In this new cut of his movie that would be a good addition.

As it is, the movie is about Jesus getting tortured to death and martyred for a message that the movie never touches upon.

[daleo]

6. That sermon on the mount message is too subversive, I think.

Sometimes I think what a lot of people really respond positively to, is that a dissident gets killed for opposing authority. Then he becomes a nice safe wish fulfillment figure, and authority is no longer threatened. Lots of right wing Christians seem to like that message, although they won't admit it, to themselves or others. It is the only explanation that makes sense.

[w4rma]

8. Maybe. That's a very insightful view. Nonetheless, his message is

definitely subversive.

[DemBones DemBones]

12. Different movie -- NOT part of the PASSION of Christ.

See my other post that gives dictionary definition of Passion of Christ.

[w4rma]

31. Christ's passion was his message. That is what he was passionate

about.

[DemBones DemBones]

47. Why do you keep arguing that black is white? I've shown you a

dictionary definition that proves that the Passion of Christ refers to his last days, not to his days of preaching. You can say His passion was boating if you like but it doesn't change the meaning of the phrase "the Passion of Christ" one iota.

[DemBones DemBones]

11. The title is "The PASSION of the Christ"; look up "Passion" in

any dictionary and you should see something like this:

Pronunciation: 'pa-sh&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin passion-, passio suffering, being acted upon, from Latin pati to suffer -- more at PATIENT

1 often capitalized a : the sufferings of Christ between the night of the Last Supper and his death b : an oratorio based on a gospel narrative of the Passion


This is from Merriam-Webster online and you see it's the FIRST definition.

[daleo]

27. I did know the passion referred to the last few days.

Easter story and all that. Still, a little context like the Sermon on the Mount would be meaningful for a lot of people. I think that excluding this part of the story takes away the political context - the idea that his crucification could be seen as a political murder by an authoritarian status quo. I think right wing Christians are uncomfortable with that. Focusing on the suffering exclusively takes it out of the political realm and into some safe metaphysical realm that actually supports the status quo (suffering is good for you and you will be rewarded in the sweet bye and bye). But it is his movie and his call, and I confess to not having seen it anyway.

As a thought experiment, consider which side the likes of Jerry Fallwell or Pat Robertson would have been on if they had been alive in 33 A.D. I just can't imagine them being supporters of Jesus, given their overall personalities.

[DemBones DemBones]

28. You may be correct that the Sermon on the Mount makes some in the RW

uncomfortable, and certainly a movie featuring the teachings of Jesus would be a good thing. It just annoys me when people complain that "The PASSION of the Christ" is about just that, the Passion of the Christ. Whatever anyone thinks of the film, Mel's title is truth in advertising.

[w4rma]

30. Jesus was passionate about his message. That is what he was most

passionate about. The Christ's passion was his message.

[DemBones DemBones]

46. Of course He was but "the Passion of the Christ" is a phrase that

refers solely to his last days, as I've already demonstrated with a dictionary definition. How many times are you going to argue that black is white?

[Anakin Skywalker]

7. This One Will Be Rated

G! for all the kiddies. :)

[jdj]

36. And most importantly, free admission, on Mel.

what, no?

oops.

[jayctravis]

9. Seriously...haven't seen it...but...

I have heard the violence goes on for nearly an hour. Wasn't the whole POINT of this movie to show how insanely violent those Biblical figures could be?

And...isn't the movie in a foreign language?

This kind of sounds about as logical as removing the nekkid scenes from a porno to make it less offensive. And I would assume quite a bit shorter. Or removing the scenes of the Titanic sinking to make it less depressing. And a bit shorter.

Perhaps they're gearing up to show it in schools during those gaps in Earth Science and Biology where they have to skip over Evolution.

[stopbush]

10. Why does he hate Jesus so?! He went through all that torture for Mel

but Mel won't show it? And after he's already shown it? Why, it's like he's crucifying Christ all over again, cleaning up the torture so the damn lib'ruls will think he didn't suffer so much. I can jest hear them lib'ruls: "Oh, it warn't so bad for Jeesus. Hell, have you seen the Abu Gharib pictures? Now THAT'S torture."

Stupid Mel. I'll bet Jeesus is having the heavenly maids unprepare that room that he had prepared for Mel just last year...even though he knew Mel would do this 'cause god is omni-visioned...

[Swamp Rat]

13. Mel edits his snuff film... what's the point?

That's like editing out the exciting, ultra nasty scenes of a porn flick.

[darkism]

14. The fundies are gonna be pissed.

They LOVE watching Jesus Christ, the Liberal of all Liberals, get the shit beaten out of him.

As a sidenote, I agree with the poster that says that this film could use some more of the actual TEACHINGS of Christ. Perhaps it could be appended and retitled "The Life and Passion of the Christ."

But then the fundies would be pissed again. They'd probably call Gibson one of those "hollywood liberals."

"Less preachin, more whippin!"

[Voltaire99]

15. This time, parts of Jesus have been left on the cutting room floor.

[Jamastiene]

16. Didn't see the movie

and I have very little faith in God (sorry life sucks too bad for me right now and I am having a hard time just accepting it), but I do have a serious question. I noticed the name of the movie is "The Passion of THE Christ". Can someone explain that to me. I would think it should be "The Passion of Christ".:think:

[Melynn]

18. I believe another movie already had the title "The Passion of Christ"

So Mel named his movie, "The Passion of The Christ". At least that is the way I remember it.

[Disturbed]

19. Gibson wants this film shown on TV.

He wants more people to see it. Maybe because he wants to make more money but most likely it's because he is a old School Catholic zealot. Would that film have been as controversial with say 30 minutes less blood flowing and flogging?

I still wanna know: why did he cast Satan as a woman?

[daleo]

25. Technically, I believe Christ isn't a name as much as a title.

So, I think "The Christ" is actually more correct usage. The other (and somewhat incorrect) usage is more common though. I think it is a bit like "Elizabeth The Queen", rather than "Elizabeth Queen".

All that being said, there are probably lots of people out there who can give a better explanation.

[DARE to HOPE]

34. Yes. "Christos" is the Greek word for...

the Hebrew word "Messiah." It is a title meaning "the Anointed One."

The MOST violent picture that I can't seem to forget from that film is when He is first arrested and is almost dropped over the cliff, garroted by the rope with which they tied him. Totally over the top.

A life long Christian (mainstream Christian)--I could NOT relate to this portrayal of Christ at all--he was bloodied from the start. He looked like a victim, and our watching only victimized Him further. It was pornographic in its violence IMHO.

The several parts of the film that I did think worthwhile, even powerful, were the struggle with the serpent in the Garden, the teardrop from heaven upon His death, and then the very last moment of the film, as He springs forth from the grave.

The languages shared were also meaningful, as was the whole production (the sets and scenes.) But I would never buy this, or see it again. My own experience of Christ's Passion throughout the season of Lent and Holy Week at the end are much, much more profound.

[Roaming]

37. "the Christ" literally means "the anointed one"

From my understanding the word "Christ" isn't actually a surname, it's a title. So it's Jesus the Anointed One (instead of Jesus Anointed One).

[Kolesar]

21. Don't know the Bible, and could not bring myself to go see it

I don't even think I could stomach the gory scene(s) on the small screen. I guess I'll go see what's on cspan

[LinuxInsurgent]

22. ahaha...hypocrites

Yes...Jesus just got beat...we just don't want to know about it or see it...but we assure you! We are faithful! We are devout!

More evidence that the Christian Taliban is full o crap.

[leesa]

23. This is so stupid. I thought they loved it because it was so real.

Of course, the christian right HATES violence! Right.

[The Backlash Cometh]

24. What about the Christian concept of forgiveness? Did Mel put that back in

into the movie?

[zbdent]

26. Would that be like the "Family Version" of Cabin Fever?

that movie sucked . . . the real version, not just the "family version" . . . Family version was about a minute long - edited out the violence and the gore and the swearing . . .

[VegasWolf]

29. Could really care less about this movie, maybe Mel will make a

movie about the tooth fairy next. I wiil be equally
uninterested in that one also.

[w4rma]

33. You're not in the demographic of folks interested. I am. (nt)

[HeeBGBz]

38. He's added a 30 minute car chase

Jesus almost escapes this time.

[arikara]

43. Gads the visuals for that one

Hilarious! That is too funny. Maybe I'd even go see it if he did that.

[HeeBGBz]

45. Me too.

That will probably happen in the sequel.

Jesus Christ- The Return

"This time. It's personal."

[geniph]

40. I never could figure out the point of Passion plays

I mean, to me, the whole idea of Christianity is the Gospels and the Resurrection - especially the Resurrection. Focusing on the torment and crucifixion was something that was dreamed up during the dark ages to stir up sentiment against Jews - that's when the Passion plays started. It seems something that would make Christ himself very unhappy - "they didn't get it! They still don't get it!"

The whole message was to stop focusing so much on the physical, and for one's faith to be more in the spiritual realm. There's no more need to sacrifice actual, living lambs, since the Lamb was sacrificed in their stead. Focusing on Christ's physical torment seems to be missing the point on a horrendous scale.

[genieroze]

41. A kinder gentler crucifixion? lol

[thinkingwoman]

42. now it's a less violent snuff film?

ok. whatever.

[arikara]

44. I'd like to see a movie about Jesus trashing the temple

that would be a very appropriate message for todays world.