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Board Of British Deputies Demands Britain "Ban" Passion |
Current rating: 0 |
by Vicky repostt by DAN "The Sacramento Cockroach" Disinfo
(No verified email address) |
01 Mar 2004
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No Free Speech For A Movie Which Tells The Truth About Jewish Hatred Of Christ
London, England -- http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2004092341,00.html
Jewish fury at Gibson's Crucifixion movie |
Torture ... Christ's agony as he is lashed by Jews and Romans in scene from film which angered Jewish chiefs
By MEL HUNTER
EXCLUSIVE
FURIOUS British Jews last night slammed Mel Gibson’s gory new film about the death of Jesus.
They branded The Passion Of The Christ “disgusting” and called for it to be banned after attending the first UK screening of the blood-drenched epic.
And they claimed its sickening scenes of cruelty were anti-Semitic and likely to incite racial hatred against them.
The controversial two-hour movie — directed, produced and co-written by the Hollywood superstar — gruesomely portrays the last 12 hours of Christ’s life.
It shows the Jewish high priests demanding his crucifixion — then looking on as he is tortured and put to an agonising death.
In the most graphic scene, Jesus — played by American actor Jim Caviezel — is flayed by a group of Roman centurions.
The camera is unflinching as the metal barbs of their cat o’ nine tails tear into his flesh.
In the Crucifixion scene, the moment when the nails are driven into his hands and feet is shown in slow-motion close-up.
Angry Neville Nagler, director general of the Jewish Board of Deputies, said last night: “The glorification of violence and bloodshed and reinforcement of medieval stereotyping of the Jewish people are extremely dangerous.
“It would have been better if this film had never been made.”
Mel, 48 — star of action money -spinners like the Lethal Weapon series and Braveheart — is a devout member of a breakaway ultra-conservative Catholic group.
Blood-drenched ... Crucifixion scene
It does not accept Vatican reforms which absolved Jews of responsibility for the Crucifixion.
He put £16million of his own money into the subtitled film, which is made entirely in Latin and Aramaic — the ancient language that Christ spoke.
It launched in America and Canada two days ago on Ash Wednesday and was block-booked earlier by Christian groups.
Its opening day made £12million plus £1million for the private showings — making it the biggest religious movie since Ben-Hur and The Ten Commandments in the 1950s.
But Jewish groups wearing concentration camp outfits demonstrated against the film in New York’s Times Square. And one poster branded the movie A true “Lethal Weapon”.
The film’s official release in Britain is March 26.
But representatives of the Jewish faith and Catholic priests were invited to see it in advance yesterday at the Odeon West End in London’s Leicester Square.
Many had to look away from some of the harrowing scenes. The film was given an 18 certificate and not cut by censors.
Jewish leader Mr Nagler stormed: “At a time when we’re trying to develop co- operation and dialogue within our multi-cultural society, this film is completely unhelpful.”
Lord Janner, former president of the Board of Deputies and vice-president of the World Jewish Congress, said after the screening: “I hated it.
“I think it extraordinary that anyone would voluntarily go to see this film. The Jews come out of it as a pretty nasty lot and I believe it could cause great harm in relations with the Jewish community.”
[Bill: Imagine Jews being a pretty nasty lot? Haha! That's understatement!]
Mel ... put his own money in film
Leading rabbi Yitzchak Schochet said: “The content was deplorable — filled with grotesque blood-letting.
“The idea of the priests standing there smiling as Jesus was crucified is fatally flawed. This film should not be shown. I hope they ban it.
“After 9/11, a number of films were shelved because they were deemed insensitive to the times. So why should this film be shown?”
Rabbi Plancey, of Elstree and Borehamwood Synagogue, said: “We’ve witnessed significant progress in Jewish-Christian relations and we’re sure all responsible Christian leaders will not let a film like this stymie progress.”
Sir Sigmund Sternberg, of the Three Faiths Forum which fosters dialogue between Christians, Jews and Muslims, was upset by the film. He said: “I worry it may be damaging.”
Some Catholic priests who saw it thought differently.
Father Mark Hackeson, of Poringland, Norfolk, said: “I thought it was an excellent film. I don’t believe it’s anti-Semitic. Jesus himself was Jewish.
[Bill: Isaiah prophesied, if I recall, that Jesus would be born of the Jews but his message would not be for the Jews. Jews believe that Jesus was the half-Jewish bastardized result of the rape of Mary by the Roman soldier Pantera.]
“Of course it’s violent, but the crucifixion was a very violent event.”
A storm of fury swept America after the opening. Critics labelled the film the most violent in history.
A 57-year-old Kansas woman collapsed and died after seeing it.
But Gibson has denied it is anti-Semitic and said: “My intention was to create a work of art.” |
This work is in the public domain |
