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CNN Live Today
Passionate Debate: Controversial Film Opens
Aired February 25, 2004 - 11:03 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: And now to "The Passion's" premiere, the film that has generated concerns about anti-Semitism among some and profound religious devotion among others. It has opened today in theaters. Christians and others are lining up to see director Mel Gibson's depiction of the final hours of Jesus' life.
Our Eric Phillips is at a movie theater in suburban Atlanta, in Kennesaw, Georgia, with reaction to "The Passion of the Christ."
Eric, good morning.
ERIC PHILLIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, good morning to you.
We're here in Kennesaw, in the heart of the Bible Belt, where people here and nationwide have heard from religious leaders, they've heard from Mel Gibson himself and they have heard from PR experts. But today, they'll have an opportunity to see "The Passion of the Christ" for themselves and judge its merits.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ERIC PHILLIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): "The Passion of Christ" depicts the final hours of Jesus' life leading up to his crucifixion.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It just takes a heavy toll, an unrelenting toll.
PHILLIPS: Some call it far too graphic and gory. Director Mel Gibson calls it real.
MEL GIBSON, DIRECTOR: I want people to understand the reality of the story. I want them to be taken through an experience. I want them to feel.
PHILLIPS: Many pastors across the country want non-Christians to feel led to come to Christ after viewing this film. Weeks before the film's release, Gibson began marketing it to church groups nationwide.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Having talked to several pastors, there was a desire to utilize this as a tool because it presents the truth very powerfully.
PHILLIPS: But not everyone is celebrating this film's release. Some Jewish leaders are decrying the film, saying it's anti-Semitic, blaming Jews for Jesus' death. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's very, very sad because millions of people will see this passion play and believe that it is the truth, when, in fact, it is Mr. Gibson's version.
PHILLIPS: The film, based on biblical accounts, has generated modern day marketing gimmicks from necklaces to T-shirts. And experts say it is likely to continue long after the film has run.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Films like this often have a big afterlife. After the theatrical release, you see a lot of DVD sales, there are books that are based on the film, there's all kinds of additional products.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: The movie opens in more than 2000 theaters nationwide today. And just to give you an idea of how popular this film already is, here at this particular theater in Kennesaw, the movie begins at 1:00 with showings starting every half hour after that. Already, three of the evening films are entirely sold out -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Eric Phillips in Kennesaw, Georgia. Thank you, Eric.
A lot of Christians are praising the film, but reviews of "The Passion of the Christ" have been somewhat mixed as a movie. Let's take a look at what some critics had to say about what they call the "excessive violence."
From Kenneth Turnan of the "Los Angeles Times," he says -- quote -- "The problem with "The Passion's" violence is not merely how difficult it is to take, it's this sadistic intensity that obliterates everything else about the film."
David Edelstein of "Slate" calls it "A two hour and six minute snuff movie. The Jesus Chainsaw Massacre that thinks it's an act of faith."
Jami Bernard of the "New York Daily News" says, "The Passion is a compendium of torture that would horrify the regulars at an S&M club."
And David Ansen of "Newsweek" says, "Instead of being moved by Christ's suffering, or awed by his sacrifice, I felt abused by a filmmaker intent on punishing his audience."
And David Denby of the "New Yorker" called it "a sickening death trip. A grimly unilluminating procession of treachery, beatings, blood and agony."
Now some critics did have praise for the film. Peter Travers, for instance, of "Rolling Stone" called it "powerfully moving." Claudia Puig of "USA Today" says, "one cannot deny that Gibson has made a stunning film." She gave it three out of four stars. And Roger Ebert of the "Chicago Sun-Times" says that "I was moved by the depth of feeling, the skill of the actors and technicians, by their desire to see this project through no matter what."
Last hour I had the chance to talk with the president of the Catholic League about concerns that the film could stir anti-Semitism.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILLIAM DONAHUE, CATHOLIC LEAGUE PRESIDENT: The reason I'm going to see it today is because I'm going to join with some Jewish people in New York from the New York Board of Rabbis, along with some priests. I understand some Protestant leaders are going to come there together. And we're going to agree to disagree, say whatever we want and still shake hands, because no movie is going to break the bond of friendship between Christians and Jews. On the other hand, we're not going to be intimidated from speaking out. This is the most powerful movie I have ever seen in my life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Coming up, we'll take you live to the Vatican for more reaction to Mel Gibson's movie. And this Saturday, don't forget a special presentation of "CNN PRESENTS," "The Mystery of Jesus." It's narrated by actor Liam Neeson 8:00 p.m. Eastern.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired February 25, 2004 - 11:03 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: And now to "The Passion's" premiere, the film that has generated concerns about anti-Semitism among some and profound religious devotion among others. It has opened today in theaters. Christians and others are lining up to see director Mel Gibson's depiction of the final hours of Jesus' life.
Our Eric Phillips is at a movie theater in suburban Atlanta, in Kennesaw, Georgia, with reaction to "The Passion of the Christ."
Eric, good morning.
ERIC PHILLIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, good morning to you.
We're here in Kennesaw, in the heart of the Bible Belt, where people here and nationwide have heard from religious leaders, they've heard from Mel Gibson himself and they have heard from PR experts. But today, they'll have an opportunity to see "The Passion of the Christ" for themselves and judge its merits.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ERIC PHILLIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): "The Passion of Christ" depicts the final hours of Jesus' life leading up to his crucifixion.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It just takes a heavy toll, an unrelenting toll.
PHILLIPS: Some call it far too graphic and gory. Director Mel Gibson calls it real.
MEL GIBSON, DIRECTOR: I want people to understand the reality of the story. I want them to be taken through an experience. I want them to feel.
PHILLIPS: Many pastors across the country want non-Christians to feel led to come to Christ after viewing this film. Weeks before the film's release, Gibson began marketing it to church groups nationwide.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Having talked to several pastors, there was a desire to utilize this as a tool because it presents the truth very powerfully.
PHILLIPS: But not everyone is celebrating this film's release. Some Jewish leaders are decrying the film, saying it's anti-Semitic, blaming Jews for Jesus' death. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's very, very sad because millions of people will see this passion play and believe that it is the truth, when, in fact, it is Mr. Gibson's version.
PHILLIPS: The film, based on biblical accounts, has generated modern day marketing gimmicks from necklaces to T-shirts. And experts say it is likely to continue long after the film has run.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Films like this often have a big afterlife. After the theatrical release, you see a lot of DVD sales, there are books that are based on the film, there's all kinds of additional products.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: The movie opens in more than 2000 theaters nationwide today. And just to give you an idea of how popular this film already is, here at this particular theater in Kennesaw, the movie begins at 1:00 with showings starting every half hour after that. Already, three of the evening films are entirely sold out -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Eric Phillips in Kennesaw, Georgia. Thank you, Eric.
A lot of Christians are praising the film, but reviews of "The Passion of the Christ" have been somewhat mixed as a movie. Let's take a look at what some critics had to say about what they call the "excessive violence."
From Kenneth Turnan of the "Los Angeles Times," he says -- quote -- "The problem with "The Passion's" violence is not merely how difficult it is to take, it's this sadistic intensity that obliterates everything else about the film."
David Edelstein of "Slate" calls it "A two hour and six minute snuff movie. The Jesus Chainsaw Massacre that thinks it's an act of faith."
Jami Bernard of the "New York Daily News" says, "The Passion is a compendium of torture that would horrify the regulars at an S&M club."
And David Ansen of "Newsweek" says, "Instead of being moved by Christ's suffering, or awed by his sacrifice, I felt abused by a filmmaker intent on punishing his audience."
And David Denby of the "New Yorker" called it "a sickening death trip. A grimly unilluminating procession of treachery, beatings, blood and agony."
Now some critics did have praise for the film. Peter Travers, for instance, of "Rolling Stone" called it "powerfully moving." Claudia Puig of "USA Today" says, "one cannot deny that Gibson has made a stunning film." She gave it three out of four stars. And Roger Ebert of the "Chicago Sun-Times" says that "I was moved by the depth of feeling, the skill of the actors and technicians, by their desire to see this project through no matter what."
Last hour I had the chance to talk with the president of the Catholic League about concerns that the film could stir anti-Semitism.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILLIAM DONAHUE, CATHOLIC LEAGUE PRESIDENT: The reason I'm going to see it today is because I'm going to join with some Jewish people in New York from the New York Board of Rabbis, along with some priests. I understand some Protestant leaders are going to come there together. And we're going to agree to disagree, say whatever we want and still shake hands, because no movie is going to break the bond of friendship between Christians and Jews. On the other hand, we're not going to be intimidated from speaking out. This is the most powerful movie I have ever seen in my life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Coming up, we'll take you live to the Vatican for more reaction to Mel Gibson's movie. And this Saturday, don't forget a special presentation of "CNN PRESENTS," "The Mystery of Jesus." It's narrated by actor Liam Neeson 8:00 p.m. Eastern.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
