Capsule Review: The Passion Of The Christ (2004)

Sadistically violent and unpleasant dramatization of the last days of Christ, focusing on his torture and crucifixion following his arrest. Featuring strong performances by an attractive cast speaking entirely in Aramaic, director Mel Gibson wallows in the gore – particularly in an endless whipping scene - and in watching Jesus attempt to drag the cross to the top of Mount Sinai. The second sequence takes up nearly a half hour, at which point you'll either be enraptured or ridiculously bored. A fine display at just how awful crucifixion as a form of punishment must have been, but it says little of interest about Christ or his supposed teachings.