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Perspective on "The Passion"
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There have been a number of films about the life of Christ, but few have had the box office appeal of Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ.” Now that the blockbuster is being released for home use, filmmakers and some religious leaders are revisiting the phenomenon. |
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Script:
Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” got people talking… and now Hollywood has found a way to keep the buzz going.
A. Larry Ross/A. Larry Ross Communications: “The church has been quick to criticize Hollywood when they do things wrong. As a result of ‘The Passion,’ I think it was encouraging that they were able to affirm and embrace it when they got it right.”
Fox Home Video is offering churches bulk discounts on “The Passion” DVDs, to be released August 31st. Faith leaders are buying, expecting their parishioners will in turn purchase individual copies for their own use…and discussion about the film will continue.
A. Larry Ross/A. Larry Ross Communications: “I think that collective dialogue makes us all the better as a result.”
Mixing Hollywood business with religion troubles some. United Methodist David Watson says a fundamental understanding is missing in the “Passion” frenzy.
David Watson, Director of Adult Ministries/First United Methodist Church, Dallas, TX: “Hollywood and the Church don’t share the same set of beliefs and values as one another and I would hate to see what’s specifically Christian get watered down or comprised in some way.”
Watson argues this is only one filmmaker’s interpretation and cannot replace the Gospels.
David Watson, Director of Adult Ministries/First United Methodist Church, Dallas, TX: “Simply because it does tell the story of Christ’s death and Christ’s suffering but it doesn’t tell much about Christ other than that and Christ’s Passion takes on its greatest significance when we know who He was and what He did.”
Still, Hollywood may have seen a light when it comes to courting Christians.
A. Larry Ross/A. Larry Ross Communications: “There’s an old saying that says, ‘you’ve read the book now go see the movie.’ I think the reverse is true for 'The Passion'- ‘you’ve seen the movie, now go read the book.’”
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The film banked 370-million dollars at the box office. DVD sales for “The Passion” are currently 20% above projections and are expected to match blockbusters such as the Harry Potter movies, which each sold more than 10-million copies.