The Passion of Christ

[Casey]

I rented this on dvd last night and much to my disappointment the film was in foreign with English subtitles!! I went back to the video shop and complained but the lady said all the copies are like that! Have they just messed up and ordered a whole batch of foreign dvd's? As I thought this film was in English??

[Lillabet]

The film is not in English - it is 'in foreign' in particular it is meant to be in the appropriate language of the time - so Aramaic and also some Latin.

[Loosehead]

Yes it was diliberately made in Aramaic

Mr Gibson's Idea I presume.

[slimfandango]

If english was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for me.

[LeMarchand]

Think yourself lucky: Mel originally planned to release it in Aramaic and Latin with NO subtitles!

PS: I'm pretty sure that the packaging makes it obvious that there is no English dialogue...

[Zen]

Yeah,but what did the Romans ever do for us????

[bernardo]

The fact that the film was made in Latin and Aramaic was given more publicity and more media coverage than any other fact about any other film in the entire history of the universe.  It is the most-well-known fact about the film, and the whole point of the film.  If you rented the film without even knowing that, then you have obviously been living in a cave in the Andromeda Galaxy for the last 2 years.

[Casey]

No need for sarcasm bernado. I watched the film lastnight and thought it was very good, but heart breaking. Thanks for all your replies..well thanks for those of you who actually answered the question!

[philsheen199]

At the risk of upsetting you Casey, of course the film was heart breaking, it's the story of the crucifixtion of Christ. 

[Casey]

Yes I am fully aware of what the film was about philsheen, but I know people who have watched it and have not felt upset in the slightest! What was the point of your reply?

[milly1984]

Exactly what I was going to say Casey, I see no point to that reply! For your information philsheen, I didn't find the film heart breaking at all, I found it quite unbelievable, literally! No one could possibly stand all that beating with bits of flesh flying about the place and taking blows to the head and still manage to stand on two feet afterwards, let alone carry a cross! Sorry if I offended anyone but just my opinion.

[flashpig]

I agree with milly, I didn't find it that heartbreaking either, just a bit grim. There didn't seem to be enough plot to fill the film, it was just gore which wasn't really heartbreaking, just grim.

The only character I felt any real attachment to in this film was Judas. He was the only one that seemed to develop in any way, but he was barely in it, which was sad.

The Aramaic and Latin was a neat trick as a gimmick, and a nice idea. It doesn't bother me too much but some of my friends wince at American films with actor speaking English with, say, Italian accents. I myself was wincing with embarrasment with Enemy at the Gates' Russian cockneys. More subtitled sections in foreign-set films from here onward I hope.