DanMargarita.com

As has been well documented, the film is a bloody portrayal of the last hours of Jesus. The Romans continuously beat him and many of them seem to take great delight in their work. With the exception of some flashback scenes, the only time Jesus isn't being beaten is when he's about to be beaten.

No film has been noted for it's gore this much since "Saving Private Ryan," which reportedly features 20 minutes of non-stop bloodshed at the beginning of the film. Never did a Tom Hanks movie so desperately need Meg Ryan to pop up and turn it into a cute, romantic comedy ("Saving Meg Ryan?").

For all of its bloodshed, this movie could've easily been titled "Saving Private Jesus," "Nightmare on Burning Bush Street" or "Good Friday the 13th."

Those offended by the bloodshed in "Ryan" missed the point, as well as the one that Gibson also seems to be trying to make, in my opinion. Like war, we've wanted our religion comfy and palatable, but the two films let us know what the true brutality was. If you're offended by special effects, you ought to be outraged by the real thing.

Most of the beatings take place in slow-motion, to the point where I was waiting for the voice of the late John Facenda, whose slow, deep-voiced narration of NFL Films gave them such a dramatic flair.

"It was on the barren plains of Jerusalem that a savior was born who would his lead his people into the kingdom of Heaven." I half expected John Madden to start diagramming things with his telestrater.

Gibson took a big gamble and had the dialogue spoken in Latin and Aramaic, the languages of the time and place. Fortunately, he gave in to the studio pressure and added English subtitles so the audience didn't think the people on screen were running around writing prescriptions.

To my great relief the movie was presented without coming attractions and previews. It would've seemed tacky to go into a bloody tale of The Crucifixion after watching a dancing hot dog singing "Let's all go to the lobby."

The story begins with our hero being captured by the Romans and brought before Pontius Pilate, who is played as a reluctant Roman governor. The village leaders tell Pilate that Jesus is a blasphemer who should be put to death. Pilate wants little to do with the matter and tries to avoid making a decision by saying that King Herrod must decide Jesus' fate. Herrod, who seems like an ancient Rip Taylor, sends Jesus back to Pilate. Under pressure from the crowd, Pilate, after some more beatings of Jesus, caves in and sentences Jesus to crucifixion.

Jesus is beaten, given a crown of thorns, beaten, and forced to carry his cross (while being beaten), whereupon a man, who is appalled at the treatment of Jesus, is forced to help him carry the cross. Along the way many citizens jeer Jesus, while others are startled upon seeing him. Why nobody said "Jesus Christ!" upon first seeing the bloodied Jesus is beyond me. It wouldn't have been taking the lord's name in vain, merely startled recognition of a neighbor.

Of course Jesus is crucified and then rises from the dead (hope I didn't spoil it for you).

There has been much talk that the movie is anti-semetic due to the Jews demanding Jesus' death, but not all the Jews were seeking his death as not all of the Romans were bloodthirsty savages.

Between beatings, the words of Jesus are lovingly presented and on the whole I would have to give this movie a (bloody) thumbs up.

But, as is usually the case, the book was better.