Readers' reviews range from 'beautiful' to 'sadistic'

We recently asked readers to send us their comments about "The Passion of the Christ," and dozens responded. Here's a sampling:

This film is more than a film; it moves you and touches you in ways you never thought. To show a man's selfless love with so much truth and passion is unheard of in this day and age. As for the blood: What about all the other movies that are bloody? Do people think He just died on the cross slowly in peace?

— Corie Cavalli, Redmond

This movie should have more accurately been titled "The Flogging of the Christ." It's easily the most sadistic, unpleasant, violent and pointless movie I have seen. This movie has absolutely nothing to say except "crucifixion is bad." Which means it really only speaks to the few viewers who were confused and thought crucifixion was not-so-bad. ... Mel Gibson believes that slow-motion dripping blood enhanced with sound effects of spurting blood will heighten one's understanding of Christ's suffering, and I do not agree.

— Greg Vernon, Seattle

This was the most beautiful movie I have ever seen. The love that went into this movie was evident throughout. We are living more and more in a society where we are willing to compromise the truth to make everyone feel OK about themselves and their actions. The Jews did kill Jesus, and from their standpoint Jesus was just a man claiming to be their God, right? Blasphemy was worthy of death in their law. Why aren't the Jews proud of themselves right now? Or maybe deep in their hearts they know that he is their Messiah.

— Jessica Delgado, Seattle

I did not find it anti-Semitic; rather I noticed fear, anger and a definite crowd mentality that can occur in all people regardless of their race or religion. I firmly believe that had God chosen to have His son be born of a Roman, Greek or Gentile, the same outcome would have occurred.

— Cheryl Goodwin, Shoreline

Not anti-Semitic my foot! This movie is full of anti-Semitic scenes and individual shots that clearly depict Jews as bloodthirsty villains!

— Karla Alexander, Los Angeles, Calif.

The criticisms of the film are unwarranted in my view. They have actually been beneficial in that they have stirred interest in this film that may not have been there.

— Timothy Terlesky, Kent

As a nonreligious person, I found the movie confusing, and less than riveting. ... To me, the Bible is a story, nothing more. To watch people argue over it rather reminds me of the fans who argued over the "Lord of the Rings" movies and whether those films stayed true to the "gospel" of the books on which they were based.

— Jason Fortuny, Kirkland

The Book is better than the movie.

— Molly McCullough, Edmonds

I don't recall anything in the scriptures telling me about an androgynous demon, King Herod having any "feminine affectation," demonic children pursuing Judas, etc. I found much of this distracting and indicative of Gibson's own prejudices and preferences.

— Cheryl Brechtelsbauer, Seattle

"The Passion" to me should not be judged with the same yardstick as (other) movies, since it is more of a documentary, and merely tries to represent what happened. Since viewing "The Passion," I have reflected on: What sin really looks like. How beautiful and determined was the obedience of Christ to the Father. And finally, that life comes down to choices, and the results of our choices either lead to life or death of the soul. This is the mystery and the beauty of life, that the Creator of the universe has given each of us the ability to choose and act on our own free will, so choose wisely.

— Joe Bernstein, Graham