Gibson decides to add subtitles to "The Passion"
#1
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Gibson decides to add subtitles to "The Passion"
Gibson Slips in Subtitles
Mel Gibson has performed a spectacular U-turn over his controversial movie about Jesus Christ's last hours - he's decided to include subtitles after all. Gibson shocked Hollywood after announcing The Passion, which stars Jim Caviezel as Jesus and Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdalene, would be shot in Aramaic language without the aid of subtitles - but now a Christian focus group invited to a screening of the film insists it has too many subtitles. One viewer tells American website The Scoop, "I don't know if Mel was ever serious about not having any subtitles. If he was, he has moved beyond that now. The version I saw actually had too many subtitles. We don't need distracting translations flashing on the screen when the Roman soldiers are saying obvious things like, 'Hey, you, move!' Mel noted that they were going to eliminate some of the subtitles in future edits." Meanwhile, those lucky enough to catch the rough screening rave about The Passion - and dismiss accusations it is anti-Semitic. Another viewer tells The Scoop, "The Passion is a stunning work of art. It is a devout act of worship from Mel and his collaborators. Let's get the controversy out of the way right at the top. The film is faithful to the Gospel, particularly St. John. It is no more anti-Semitic than is the Gospel."
#3
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Faith Guided Mel Gibson Through 'Passion'
Mel Gibson says he attended Mass every morning while shooting his new movie, "The Passion," because "we had to be squeaky clean just working on this."
The film, which Gibson directs, stars James Caviezel as Christ during the last 12 hours of his life and Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdalene. The $25 million production was shot in the Aramaic language of the time, but there were subtitles for Thursday's showing.
Gibson said his Christian faith inspired the film. He is still looking for a distributor.
"I'm not a preacher, and I'm not a pastor," the 47-year-old director-actor said. "But I really feel my career was leading me to make this. The Holy Ghost was working through me on this film, and I was just directing traffic. I hope the film has the power to evangelize."
Gibson said the film "was a strange mixture of the most difficult thing I've ever done, along with this incredible ease. Everyone who worked on this movie was changed. There were agnostics and Muslims on set converting to Christianity."
The film, which Gibson directs, stars James Caviezel as Christ during the last 12 hours of his life and Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdalene. The $25 million production was shot in the Aramaic language of the time, but there were subtitles for Thursday's showing.
Gibson said his Christian faith inspired the film. He is still looking for a distributor.
"I'm not a preacher, and I'm not a pastor," the 47-year-old director-actor said. "But I really feel my career was leading me to make this. The Holy Ghost was working through me on this film, and I was just directing traffic. I hope the film has the power to evangelize."
Gibson said the film "was a strange mixture of the most difficult thing I've ever done, along with this incredible ease. Everyone who worked on this movie was changed. There were agnostics and Muslims on set converting to Christianity."
#4
DVD Talk Hero
Subtitles or not - I am still going to see this when it comes out. I thought Gibson said it would be a visual experience like a silent film - that is why he wasn't going to use subtitles in the first place, because he didn't think we, the viewer, would need them.
I think the cast looks excellent, too, so that can't really hurt.
I think the cast looks excellent, too, so that can't really hurt.
#5
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I am at least glad that he decided to produce it in Aramaic, rather than taking the standard Hollywood way of saying, "foreign people really like to talk English when in private."
#6
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Cheers to Mel for trying to make a movie ABOUT something, rather than the latest money-making machine. Don't know if it will be good or not, but it's one I'm really looking forward to. What do you want to bet hardly any of the big-chain theaters carry it?
#14
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I would like to see a review from regular audience member, and not somebody who's quite as religious as the reviewer in Kal Jedi's article, and who didn't get to hobnob with Mel. It sounds like this lady probably would give a favorable review to Left Behind and its ilk.
#16
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Originally posted by Groucho
It sounds like this lady probably would give a favorable review to Left Behind and its ilk.
It sounds like this lady probably would give a favorable review to Left Behind and its ilk.
Any reference to the p.o.s. kills me. My dad bought it for his mom when she was in town, because she is quite religious and is somewhat familiar w/ the topic of the book and she turned it off because she thought it was a p.o.s.
But seriously, you are right that it would be nice to hear what someone thought of the movie that doesn't beat the Bible on a daily basis.
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Dang I was hoping this was going to turn out like Mel's movie in the simpsons. Oh well here's hoping next year that someone will use my script for Jesus : The Crucifixed about an android Jesus ready to distribute some vengance.
It would be nice to read a review from someone who doesn't have a bible in one hole and mel gibson in the other But I am still really looking forward to this movie. I do wish it would have stayed in all Aramaic just to try something different.
It would be nice to read a review from someone who doesn't have a bible in one hole and mel gibson in the other But I am still really looking forward to this movie. I do wish it would have stayed in all Aramaic just to try something different.
#18
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Originally posted by sundog
It's Monica Belluci as Mary Magdalene, a prostitute.
It's Monica Belluci as Mary Magdalene, a prostitute.
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Originally posted by Groucho
It sounds like this lady probably would give a favorable review to Left Behind and its ilk.
It sounds like this lady probably would give a favorable review to Left Behind and its ilk.
But yes, LB was pretty bad. Even as a Christian, that and some others that have been released in the last few years from Christian distribution companies have been nothing but pure crap, from an artistic standpoint.
I'm looking forward to Mel's movie. I can only hope the eventual DVD has the ability to remove the subtitles so that we can see what the original vision looked like...
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gibson shouldve kept this thing w/o subtitles. this film is still going to get walk outs either way.
so will danny glover show up in this as the apostle who keeps spouting "i'm too old for this sh$t"?
so will danny glover show up in this as the apostle who keeps spouting "i'm too old for this sh$t"?
#21
DVD Talk Special Edition
I liked Scorsese's take, but am excited to see Gibson's. From what I've seen/read about him, he's a devout Catholic, which makes me wonder if the film will be overbearingly dogmatic. The reviewer said that it's very Marian, whose role in the Catholic Church, in my experience, seems equal to Christ, which, as a Lutheran, I really take issue with. I'd like if he stuck to the Gospels, but wonder which one will direct the narrative. Anyone know if he's combined them? I'm sure that it will be, either way, breathtaking or guffaw-starting, fascinating.
I'm glad that Gibson's including subtitles, even though without, the film may be more powerful. Maybe removable subtitles on the DVD?
I'm glad that Gibson's including subtitles, even though without, the film may be more powerful. Maybe removable subtitles on the DVD?
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I wonder why they never made a movie about Satan?
If they made it, and told it like he is in the Bible that would convert some people to christianity.
Because you would get the young MTV crowd going to see it, and they would get a different outlook than what they think he is like.
Since you always see a person on MTV giving the devil sign with their hand.
If they made it, and told it like he is in the Bible that would convert some people to christianity.
Because you would get the young MTV crowd going to see it, and they would get a different outlook than what they think he is like.
Since you always see a person on MTV giving the devil sign with their hand.
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Originally posted by wm lopez
I wonder why they never made a movie about Satan?
If they made it, and told it like he is in the Bible that would convert some people to christianity.
Because you would get the young MTV crowd going to see it, and they would get a different outlook than what they think he is like.
Since you always see a person on MTV giving the devil sign with their hand.
I wonder why they never made a movie about Satan?
If they made it, and told it like he is in the Bible that would convert some people to christianity.
Because you would get the young MTV crowd going to see it, and they would get a different outlook than what they think he is like.
Since you always see a person on MTV giving the devil sign with their hand.
I once wrote a quick scriptment about the life of Satan - a little less obtuse than John Milton's ideas - likening Satan to a spoiled brat who's grown up to be bitter. I thought the idea was alright.
Funny what you dig up, when you research. When did the devil go from God's most favored, beautiful Angel to a little red troll with horns, hooves and a tail? Darn dark ages...
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Originally posted by DonnachaOne
Funny how the "devil sign" is actually sign language for "I Love You". Dio saw it at a concert once and started doing it...
Funny how the "devil sign" is actually sign language for "I Love You". Dio saw it at a concert once and started doing it...
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I've been interested in this project ever since it was announced, and the fact that the movie wasn't going to have subtitles intrigued me even more. I can understand why he's putting them in, but I hope that for the dvd release we will have the option of turning them off.