Can ignorance of film history explain part of "The Passion's" appeal?

[DerekG]

Even when considering the bloodlust harbored by many of today's reactionaries, I wondered why significant numbers of my Christian brothers and sisters were so enamored with Gibson's wretched snuff flick, but I think I finally understand why. Most of them have not been exposed to the obscure (and masterful) cinematic meditations on the life of Christ (or the Christ allegory); compared to those corny 50's Biblical epics--the only other religious films many of today's Christians have seen--"The Passion" does indeed come across as unique.

Would they favor Gibson's film if they'd seen Griffith's "Intolerance"? Or "The Passion of Joan of Arc"? Or Pasolini's "The Gospel According to St. Matthew"? Or Scorsese's "The Last Temptation of Christ"? The aforementioned films are as profound as any found in the medium, and each, in its own way, is an affirmation of faith ("Last Temptation" brought me back to Christianity).

Methinks some horizons need to be broadened.

[patrice]

1. Scorsese's Last Temptation made me read Kazantzakis's book

by the same name, that helped me re-orient myself more favorably toward Christianity.

All "Christians" should be required to see The Passion of Joan of Arc at least 2 times.

On edit: Oh yes, I've been thinking for quite a few weeks now, that there is a lot about how some people think and act that can be explained by their relative naivete, like intellectual new-comers, on many issues.

[moof]

2. Ignorance alone, explains it all.

Your last line does ring true, although there are not very many horizons that don't need to be broadened these days what with all the dark ages coming back.