I had wanted to see it when it came out, but the controversy on both sides of it turned me off. I had seen interviews with Mel Gibson prior to the movie's release and was intrigued by some of his ideas.

The movie is brutally violent, in it's portrayal of Jesus' suffering. It is not a movie for anyone under the age of 13 to see. There are more appropriate movies for younger kids that tell the story, and there is always "Jesus Christ, Superstar".

Artistically speaking, it is different from every gospel movie I've ever seen. It's not just the language, which I did not find as distracting as I thought it would be, nor did the subtitles distract me overly much. I know the story, I know the gist of what the actors are saying. What makes this movie intriguing is the actors and their expressions. I think one is supposed to look beyond the suffering to see the reactions of those around Jesus. Peter couldn't deal, and took off. John, Mary and Mary Magdelene ensured that they were always in a place that Jesus could see them. In addition to seeing the faces and expressions of the sadists torturing him, Jesus was also able to see the good people who loved him. Mary and John look away when the suffering gets particularly bad, but always look back. The man who played Pilate has a particularly expressive face, looking anguished about his position, yet knowing as well as Mary that he can do nothing to stop the blood lust of men like Caiphas.

Sometimes, there is nothing you can do to stop the suffering of one you love. Sometimes being there and being a witness is the only thing you can do to offer commiseration on some level. Sometimes, that is the only thing you are called to do. John, Mary and Mary Magdelene were true to the call. Peter was not.

There were some interesting uses of imagery. Prior to his suicide, Judas is hounded by a gang of demonic spirits in the form of children. I thought that the actress who played Satan was an appropriate choice also, beautiful, but scary as hell. S/he was always present in the jeering crowd, moving along with them, enjoying Jesus' suffering as much as them.

I know this is not necessarily based on scripture, as there are scenes of Pilate and his wife (who has a name in the movie, as opposed to scripture), a scene in which Pilate's wife gives Mary clean cloths to clean up her son's blood with (a touching scene, imo)
and characters like Simon the Cyrenian (who was forced to help Jesus carry the cross) and St. Veronica (who washed his bloody face with a cloth)have lines and such that are not in the Bible (along with the character of St. Veronica).

One does not enjoy a movie like this-it's like "Schindler's List" in that sense. "The Passion" is a very compelling and moving interpretation of the story we all know.

I did not see anything anti-semitic. If anything, the movie takes pains to point out that Caiphas set the whole thing up-the council kicks out all the members arguing against him. It does show the complicated politics involved in the ruling of a roman-conquered territory, and having to live under that occupation.

So, really, I don't see where the controversy comes from those who appreciated the movie to those who didn't. I don't think it was the most moving spiritual experience I've ever had-it's a movie, not the real thing. I also don't think the movie should offend anyone, unless the very message of christianity offends you to begin with. If that's the case, don't see the movie.