The Passion of the Christ - Movie Review Essay Sample

The Passion of Christ is a contemporary Mel Gibson-directed American film that gives the account of the life of the Christ - Jesus of Nazareth - in his last 24 hours on earth. The film commences by narrating the occurrences at Gethsemane where Jesus went to pray after the Last Supper with His disciples. He encouraged His disciples to be prayerful so that they could resist temptations from the devil. He is then betrayed by Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, with a kiss. The Pharisee's soldiers then arrest Jesus and take him to city walls of Jerusalem where he is confronted, jeered, mocked and accused by the Pharisees. He is charged with blasphemy after which he is condemned to death after his trial. The Passion of the Christ is a Biblical reincarnation of Jesus' last 24 hours before ascension directed by Mel Gibson in 2004 that is dexterously crafted and acted to produce a highly acclaimed film that teaches about Jesus' crucifixion, humility, love, selflessness and gives hope of a life after earth.

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The film primarily focuses on the physical pain that Jesus suffered at the hands of his crucifiers. The film powerfully shows how Jesus was physically tortured and humiliated as he was accused and crucified on the cross naked next to two thieves - called Dismas and Gestas in the Gospel of Nicodemus. Indeed, Jesus was out to fulfill the Biblical prophesies that the son of man would come and die for the sins of humanity as recorded in Isaiah 53:4-6 (KJV).

The movie assigns Mary Magdalene a more prominent role than in the Bible. The film shows Jesus recollecting daring people to throw a stone at a woman who was caught committing adultery; the film shows this woman as Mary! While watching the movie, one hopes of noticing emphasis given to Christ the Son and God the Father but the two names and their significance are rarely emphasized. The film left me in pain and shock as the emotions, acting and directing all employed in the movie brought me near to feeling as much pain as Jesus underwent. Nonetheless, in the film, he suffered as a sacrifice to save humanity - the same people who never understood his course and subjected him to that pain. It was painful to see Jesus die on the cross with blood all over him and a crown made out of thorns on his head. I felt unworthy of his mercy and sacrifice since he suffered at the hands of those he came to show the light.

While on the cross, Jesus said, "Father forgive them for they don't know what they are doing." It is a scene prominently characterized by this statement that struck made hard and left me in awe at his kindness, love, and selflessness. Hearing these words and seeing him on the cross suffering for trumped-up blasphemy charges reminded me of the enemies of the truth. I understood that Jesus was not ready to give up on humanity. Despite being mocked and crucified, he still called on the Lord to forgive humanity for its ignorance. At this point, the film succinctly shows and depicts Jesus' unending, limitless and selfless love for humanity - an unmatchable love. He was whipped, mocked and caned by the Pharisees but he was not ready to rebuke or curse them even though he knew he had the powers to do so.

Albeit I have lost a loved one before, it is never as painful as it was painful seeing Jesus die on the cross. After Jesus said, "It is finished," and he finally died, it was as close as the end of humanity. Many critics say that this film does not give hope, but after watching it, I can categorically state that when Jesus got down and washed the feet of his disciples during the Last Supper, he just gave us hope and taught us humility. It may just be a movie, but it reminds us of what is required of us to enter the Kingdom of God.

His resurrection after three days further reinforces the Biblical belief and teachings of life after death. After watching the film, I am hopeful that Christ will one day come back and deliver us from this sinful world. A world where there is no respect for humanity. A world where the poor are left writhe in poverty as the rich continue to oppress them to prosper. Even though this movie is highly criticized, I feel that it can be used to teach many about what is required of them here on earth to lead a self-fulfilled life.