Reviews

...if they're critical of the film, they would be critical of the Gospel. (Archbishop John Foley, President, Pontifical Council for Social Communications, The Vatican, on the movie "The Passion")

"I've read the Passion narratives of the Lord and contemplated them and prayed over them many, many times, and I've never thought of the crucifixion with the images that I received while watching this. I'll never read the words the same way again." (Cardinal Francis George in the Chicago Sun Times, Aug 3, 2003, talking about the movie "The Passion")

I thought it was an extraordinary work of art and extraordinarily faithful to the gospels. If I was critical of the film's detractors it's because I think it's unwise for any group to try to intimidate either the church or people of Mel Gibson's faith from speaking very clearly what they believe to be true. You know anti-Semitism is a terrible sin; it's a sin the church has repented from and will need to continue to repent from if and when there are examples of it in church life. But to clearly proclaim our belief that Jesus is the messiah and that he suffered, died and rose from the dead is for us something we have a duty to proclaim. (Archbishop Charles Chaput in the Rocky Mountain News, Aug 21, 2003, talking about the movie "The Passion")

I urge critics who have not seen the final film to keep an open mind and not prejudge it. (Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight, Knights of Columbus, talking about the movie "The Passion")

I think what you have done in "The Passion" is extraordinary and will probably be recognized as the best religious film ever made. I will continue to pray for you and for the success of the film, and will ask our students to do so as well. (A letter to Icon about  the movie "The Passion", by Thomas Dillon, President of Thomas Aquinas College ) 

From an aesthetic standpoint, the film is beautiful. Its visual narrative carries traces of the long tradition of Christian art, from the very earliest Christian styles and medieval iconography up to pre-Raphaelite images. My wife Theresa and I came away from the film with a sense that our faith had been revitalized. Make no mistake: this movie will convert and uplift hearts. Once you've seen it, you'll never again take for granted the words: "He suffered, died, and was buried." (Deal Hudson from Crisis Magazine, talking about the movie "The Passion")

I experienced moments of profound spiritual intimacy with Jesus Christ. I would gladly trade some of the homilies that I have given about The Passion of Christ for even a few scenes from this film. (Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos, The Vatican, Worldwide Prefect of the Clergy, talking about the movie "The Passion")