- Film Review
- Reviewed By Ian Freer
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3 out of 5
Compelling yet repetitive, shocking yet plodding, Mel Gibson's labour of love (replete with subtitled Latin and Aramaic dialogue) charts the last 12 hours of Jesus's life on Earth, from his betrayal by Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane through to the most punishing depiction of the crucifixion ever mounted. Gibson's commitment to the material is tangible, the much talked about brutality is unflinching and the earthy atmosphere is expertly evoked. But Jim (credited as James) Caviezel's Jesus makes for an impenetrable figure, some of the imagery doesn't quite come off - the depictions of evil are borderline laughable - and the narrow focus does little to provide a context to Jesus's teachings and suffering. Daring, passionate film-making it may be, but the lasting impression is one of preaching to the converted.
Plot Summary
Religious drama co-written and directed by Mel Gibson, starring James Caviezel. Following his betrayal by the disciple Judas Iscariot, Jesus is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane and condemned by Pontius Pilate to a savage and prolonged death by crucifixion at Golgotha.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Jesus
- Jim Caviezel
- Mary
- Maia Morgenstern
- Mary Magdalene
- Monica Bellucci
- Caiphas, the High Priest
- Mattia Sbragia
- Pontius Pilate
- Hristo Naumov Shopov
- Claudia Procles, Pilate's wife
- Claudia Gerini
- Judas Iscariot
- Luca Lionello
- John
- Hristo Jivkov
- Peter
- Francesco De Vito
- Annas
- Toni Bertorelli
- Abenader
- Fabio Sartor
- Joseph of Arimathea
- Giancinto Ferro
- Barabbas
- Pedro Sarubbi
- Dismas
- Sergio Rubini
Crew
- Director
- Mel Gibson
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