Imitation

One thing that everyone seems to be talking about in the wake of Gibson's movie is the expectation that many new "Bible Movies" will be made. The logic is pretty airtight: "Gibson made a Bible movie, Gibson made millions of dollars. Therefore if we make a Bible movie, we will make millions of dollars."

This has me uneasy. The first problem is that most "Bible Movies" I've seen, even the ones from the first part of the 20th century, well, suck. Either they are lousy artistically, or the theology is nothing more than mushy superstition ("every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings"). I doubt that a new mass-production will overcome that.

My second fear is Left Behind, by far the most likely candidate given its huge popularity and ready-made sensationalism, but also a horrible misrepresentation of Biblical and historical theology as well as just being downright embarrassing. The Bible deals with an incredible range of human experience and deserves better than fantastically speculative pop art.

March 9, 2004 03:44 PM
2 Comments

Let's look at it this way - I found the Passion interesting only as an insight into a Christian perspective of the event. It may contain elements of truth - who knows..but there are people who believe fully what that movie portrays - so I saw it as a teaching tool.

I would love to see a Jewish perspective movie of the same event...and a muslim version...not only of this event, but of other important events in the Bible, Koran, etc.

Regardless of the truth of the movie, the most interesting aspect was the story of the Pharasis not wanting a free exchange of ideas - free thought would destroy their power over their subjects - that is a universal theme and it was the most enjoyable story line in the Passion - an otherwise sad and toturous movie to watch.

Pondered by Michael at March 10, 2004 10:48 AM

We don't have to worry about any more big Bible movies being made. Gibson got a once-in-a-lifetime chance with this movie. There'll never be a big fuss about another religious movie again, because they'll just compare it to The Passion, and they'll consider it small beans.

Unless, of course, it makes fun of Christianity, when it will get rave reviews, and bomb at the box office.

Such is life in a free enterprise system.

Pondered by Timaaaah at March 10, 2004 10:45 PM