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'Passion' Reaction
Aired February 25, 2004 - 15:01 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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent for Christians and the traditional start of 40 days of fasting, abstinence and penitence before Easter. At Saint Peter's Basilica, Pope John Paul marked the heads of the faithful with ashes in the shape of a cross. The pontiff also reminded people to pay attention to the plight of children that he says need to be defended and protected.
Now, here in the U.S., many churches and cathedrals are holding Ash Wednesday observances with masses and special services and a call for prayer and spiritual renewal, reports of packed movie houses from New York to Texas as film fans and churchgoers flock to see "The Passion of the Christ." The Mel Gibson-directed film depicts the crucifixion of Jesus. Some say it also inflames anti-Semitism. Others way it's inspiring.
Let's turn to CNN's Eric Philips for more reaction -- hi, Eric.
ERIC PHILIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, good afternoon to you.
We're here in Kennesaw, Georgia, which, as you know, is right just north of Atlanta, right in the heart of the Bible Belt. And while people here and nationwide have heard from religious leaders on the film ""The Passion of the Christ," also from Mel Gibson himself, and from P.R. experts, today is the first time the general public is getting an opportunity to see this film for themselves and to judge its merits.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PHILIPS (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.
PHILIPS: 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.
PHILIPS: 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. REV. MONTIA SETZLER, BAPTIST MINISTER: Having talked to several pastors, there was a desire to utilize this as a tool because it presents the truth very powerfully.
PHILIPS: But not everyone is celebrating his film's release. Some Jewish leaders are decrying the film, saying it's anti-Semitic, blaming Jews for Jesus' death.
A. JAMES RUBIN, RABBI: 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.
PHILIPS: The film, based on biblical accounts, has generated modern-day marketing gimmicks from necklaces to T-shirts. And experts say it's likely to continue long after the film has run.
JOSH BARAN, PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT: Films like this often have a big after life 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)
PHILIPS: And today, this film is releasing in more than 2,000 theaters nationwide. And many of those shows, Kyra, are already sold out for days to come.
PHILLIPS: Eric Philips, thank you.
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 - 15:01 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent for Christians and the traditional start of 40 days of fasting, abstinence and penitence before Easter. At Saint Peter's Basilica, Pope John Paul marked the heads of the faithful with ashes in the shape of a cross. The pontiff also reminded people to pay attention to the plight of children that he says need to be defended and protected.
Now, here in the U.S., many churches and cathedrals are holding Ash Wednesday observances with masses and special services and a call for prayer and spiritual renewal, reports of packed movie houses from New York to Texas as film fans and churchgoers flock to see "The Passion of the Christ." The Mel Gibson-directed film depicts the crucifixion of Jesus. Some say it also inflames anti-Semitism. Others way it's inspiring.
Let's turn to CNN's Eric Philips for more reaction -- hi, Eric.
ERIC PHILIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, good afternoon to you.
We're here in Kennesaw, Georgia, which, as you know, is right just north of Atlanta, right in the heart of the Bible Belt. And while people here and nationwide have heard from religious leaders on the film ""The Passion of the Christ," also from Mel Gibson himself, and from P.R. experts, today is the first time the general public is getting an opportunity to see this film for themselves and to judge its merits.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PHILIPS (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.
PHILIPS: 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.
PHILIPS: 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. REV. MONTIA SETZLER, BAPTIST MINISTER: Having talked to several pastors, there was a desire to utilize this as a tool because it presents the truth very powerfully.
PHILIPS: But not everyone is celebrating his film's release. Some Jewish leaders are decrying the film, saying it's anti-Semitic, blaming Jews for Jesus' death.
A. JAMES RUBIN, RABBI: 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.
PHILIPS: The film, based on biblical accounts, has generated modern-day marketing gimmicks from necklaces to T-shirts. And experts say it's likely to continue long after the film has run.
JOSH BARAN, PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT: Films like this often have a big after life 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)
PHILIPS: And today, this film is releasing in more than 2,000 theaters nationwide. And many of those shows, Kyra, are already sold out for days to come.
PHILLIPS: Eric Philips, thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
