Reply #5: You are right about the passion plays and their history

[noonwitch]

The history of christian persecution of jews should be separated from one movie. I read a really good (long) book about that-"Constantine's Cross" by James Carroll. I think it's in paperback, now.

My interpretation of the movie is that Mel took pains not to present the jewish people as being guilty of Jesus death. He presented the complicated political situation, and showed Caiphas having the people on the council that were against killing Jesus thrown out of the meeting.

People were quick to judge the movie as anti-semitic because of the history, without viewing the movie.

Also, the extreme violence is meant as a contrast to the message of peace. A message of peace has little meaning in a peaceful world. It has a great deal of meaning in the midst of violence, where it probably speaks the loudest. The scenes of torture and crucifixion are horrendously violent.

It's not a movie for everyone, though. It's not something I'm going to buy the dvd of, or watch over and over again. But I am glad that I saw it.