Before The Passion of the Christ was released at the beginning of 2004, most commentators did not foresee it as a box-office success, let alone bonanza. Some wished Mel Gibson well. Some thought he was just aiming for a tax loss. Others were concerned about its alleged anti-Semitism. Word had gotten around about its graphic depiction of Jesus’ suffering and the violence.
Within a week of its American opening, it was clear that audiences wanted to see the film. Whether he had intended it or not, Mel Gibson had alerted the industry to the potential for religious films. It also alerted the independent filmmakers that Jesus and other Christian stories were worth considering for their films. The satirists saw a theme that was worth mining. It was possible to use Jesus language and Jesus images much more readily than before The Passion of the Christ.
In the chapters on the reverent and the bizarre images of Jesus, films, especially short and student films, were listed with some brief comment. In the IMDb (Internet Movie Database) page on Jesus as a character, there have been 126 entries since The Passion of the Christ (for only seven years, up to 2011). There seems to be a rush on Jesus films. Looking at the list, one finds that they are mostly short films, with an emphasis on comedy, spoof, and horror.
It should be noted that this was reinforced by the release of The Da Vinci Code in 2006 with the controversy that preceded it because of Dan Brown’s novel. There was much less controversy after the film since the screenplay watered down the expression of some of Brown’s claims about Jesus, Mary Magdalene, the Knights Templar, the Priory of Sion, and Opus Dei.
We can ask if there are some discernible trends in production as listed in the IMDb since 2004. Here are some examples:
Documentaries
Almost immediately after the release of The Passion of the Christ, documentaries appeared on The Making of . . . , interviews with Mel Gibson (one of the most useful is that by the traditional Catholic network, EWTN [Eternal Word Television Network], in which Raymond Arroyo interviewed Gibson during production before the anti-Semitic discussion really got under way, a calmer, more objective discussion), and with Jim Caviezel. Gibson’s theology and that of his father, who holds some extreme views, and his personal spirituality were explored.
Some key examples:
- Time Machine: Beyond the Da Vinci Code (2005)——Shown on the History Channel and including discussions with authors who have written on Rosslyn Chapel, the Templars. It includes re-enactments of Jesus’ episodes, according to The Da Vinci Code, rather than according to the Gospels.
- The Life and Passion of Christ (2005)——An earnest look at the Gospels with the aim of highlighting, if not proving, their historicity. The film has a literal approach to the scriptures. The film is hosted by the devout Pat Boone and includes re-enactments.
- Science of the Bible (2006)—A television series looking at relics of the period and discussing their authenticity. It also includes re-enactments of Gospel episodes.
- Unlocking Ancient Secrets of the Bible (2006)—Another search for biblical secrets released at the time of The Da Vinci Code movie.
- Secrets of Mary Magdalene (2006)—Plot summary from IMDb: “Secrets of Mary Magdalene strips away the veils of history to reveal the flesh and blood woman who served as Jesus’ foremost disciple and possibly the love of his life. Based on the nonfiction book, Secrets of Mary Magdalene, by bestselling authors Dan Burstein and Arne de Keijzer, this documentary special uncovers the latest information on one of the world’s most controversial religious figures.”1
- The Gospel according to Caesar (2007, 115 minutes, Holland)—Dan Brown did not think up this one. A priest and a linguist discuss and come to the conclusion that Julius Caesar is the real Jesus. There were some difficulties in production as the program was seen by executives as possibly alienating audiences because of their faith in Jesus.
- The Lost Tomb of Jesus (2007)—An old topic given a contemporary gloss.
- Shroud of Turin: Material Evidence (2008, 60 minutes, United Kingdom)—There have been many documentaries about the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin. After The Passion and Da Vinci, the shroud has the potential to stir renewed interest.
Television Series
It is now more acceptable (and doable) to introduce Jesus or characters resembling Jesus into television programs and series. The South Park creators had no difficulty in introducing Jesus satirically—which set a precedent for many followers and imitators.
Animation series which allude to Jesus or introduce him:
- Robot Chicken
- Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy
- Family Guy
Serious series:
- Rescue Me—The stories of firefighters and their work and personal struggles.
- The Book of Daniel—A more interesting example, which was taken off the air after some protests. Aidan Quinn plays a pastor who is involved in current moral issues and dramatized crises. The screenplays introduce scenes where the pastor discusses some of the matters with Jesus (Garret Dillahunt). This was an attempt at a more serious introduction of Jesus and religious and moral themes.
Horror
Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter had already made an appearance soon after 2000. Two titles from 2003 are Necromaniac: Schizophreniac 2 and Zombiegeddon with special effects man Tom Savini listed as Jesus and a cast that included horror directors (acclaimed and ridiculed) Uwe Boll and Lloyd Kaufman from Troma films. YouTube provides a site for some images (many scurrilous) of Jesus and the horror genres. It seems inevitable, given the continued popularity of horror and slasher movies, especially amongst younger male audiences, that Jesus will be associated with horror films. Already some examples have appeared:
- Beaster (2004)—A ten-minute short with Jesus resurrected after three days as a flesh-eating zombie.
- Scarlet Moon (2006)—A ninety-minute Z-budget horror with Satanists, vampires, and conflict, and the presence of Jesus.
- Zombie Jesus (2007)—Again Jesus returns as a zombie for immortality. Zombie associations with the living dead and resuscitation will occur to filmmakers when they consider the Resurrection.
- The Becoming (2012)—Satan rules the world.
Satire and Spoof
Quite a number of the examples of the bizarre in the earlier chapter are spoofs. In a time when there is immediate access to sites to add easily and inexpensively made clips, and where reverence toward traditional Christianity has disappeared in many areas, then satire and spoof of religion and of Christianity are to be expected while not welcomed.
- Outtakes of the Christ (2004, United States)—Spoofs that use footage from Mel Gibson’s film.
- Kvetchin’ of the Christ (2004, United States)—Another spoof of Mel Gibson. The film has its own poster on the IMDb.
- Alfa y Omega (2004, Spain)—Adam and Eve, God, and a discussion about creation.
- Parabola (2004, Italy)—Jesus, Lazarus, and his sisters; noted as a comedy/history.
- Not My Religion (2005, Canada)—Jesus encounters a mermaid.
- Passion of the Crust (2005, United States)—Uses a recurring joke of wordplay with Christ and crust (used also in the feature film My Best Friend’s Girl, 2008).
- The Greatest Story of All Time (2005)—“God appears to two friends as a talking van and gives them a sacred mission.”2
- TV the Movie (2006, United States)—Satire on TV programs. Includes a skit on Jesus, asking him questions about living with his father for three thousand years, and questions about Mary’s virginity. This film had some theatrical release and DVD release.
- Ultimate Remote (2007, 78 minutes, United States)—Another skit compilation where two friends are sent by their remote into another dimension where political correctness is not important. The casting lists an actor as Jesus/That Darn Jesus.
- Drake Beckett: The Devil’s Newest Threat (2007, United States)—A DJ lives a worldly life but is then transferred to the religious broadcasting department and has to face his life.
- Welcome to Reality (2008, United States)—A professor helps six men who play games to have a more historically accurate and involving adventure, while meeting new characters, including Jesus.
- Prop 8: The Musical (2008)—Direction by Adam Shankman (Hairspray) and music by Marc Shaiman. A group of actors, including John C. Reilly, Neil Patrick Harris, and Allison Janney, join in a four-minute song and dance to protest the loss of the law to permit gay marriages. Suddenly Jesus appears onstage in the form of Jack Black—it is Jesus as Jack Black, patter, jokes, and quips, condemning religious attitudes of hate rather than love and reminding the audience of the separation of church and state. It is readily available online.
- For Christ’s Sake (2009, United States)—Listed as a drama about an institute, which, to survive, is cloning characters from history using DNA. The cast list includes as an actor The Clone of Jesus.
- What If God Was One of Us? (2011, United States)—Jesus is too comfortable in heaven and God sends him down to earth.
- The Jesus Workout (2011, United States)—A three-minute “infomercial parody.”
Serious films
- Reconciled/Reconciled through Christ (2004, United States)—A feature film directed by a one-time horror exploitation filmmaker, Tim Ritter (with titles like Killing Spree and Dirty Cop No Donut), who seems to have had a conversion experience, “a testament of my own faith that I integrated into the movie.” While drawing on some of his techniques in his former style, he tells the story of a man pursuing his wife with vengeance but meets a stranger who tells him the story of Jesus with some visualising of Gospel sequences. “This is a Tim Ritter Christian horror film, so it shouldn’t be surprising that it comes off like one of his old exploitation flicks remade through the lens of his more recent Christian conversion.”3
- Messiah: Prophecy Fulfilled (2004, 50 minutes, United States)—The synopsis seems to raise issues for Jews and Christians:
Nick Mancuso plays Rabbi Yehudah an excellent teacher who knows the Holy scriptures. . . . After following and studying Yeshua (Jesus) the Rabbi knows with out a doubt Yeshua, is the Son of the living God that has come to fulfil all the prophecies relating to the Messiahs coming foretold by the prophets. . . . During the Jewish observance of Passover, Rabbi Yehudah and his family share a Seder meal in a traditional Passover sitting. . . . Rabbi Yehudah in a superb teaching explains in detail how the Seder itself, as well as the prophecies of the Torah, have been fulfilled in Yeshua (Jesus). However, during the teaching the Rabbi is challenged by two younger brothers, for his acceptance of Yeshua as the Messiah.4
- Matthew 26:17 (2005, United States)—This film has its own poster on the IMDb entry. It is a conversation at the Last Supper with serious tone. Mary Magdalene is present with some intimations of her friendship with Jesus.
- Quitting Is for Losers (2005, United States)—A fifteen-minute short about a man who has to face his life.
- Forgiving the Franklins (2006, United States)—A drama in which an American fundamentalist family are involved in a car accident and have to re-appraise their lives, the potential for good as well as bad. Well received by many religious audiences.
- Hitler Meets Christ (2007, United States)—What seems an unlikely title for a serious film is, in fact, the title for a film about the embodiment of good in Jesus and the embodiment of evil in Hitler and the confrontation between the two. The film is based on a play by actor Michael Moriarty, Hitler and Christ Meet at the Port Authority Bus Terminal (1991). Moriarty says that it focuses on polar good and evil and shows the tenacity of Christ and his love.
- Passions of the Christ (2007, United States)—An eight-minute film about a couple with marriage difficulties who pray for help.
- Teenage Christ (2008)—An attempt to show that Jesus is not only relevant but became incarnate in his own time. What about our time? The synopsis was written by the director: “This story chronicles Jesus Christ in a modern-day high school. In addition to the typical adolescent problems of girls, puberty, school, and family, he has to manage newfound abilities that might not be normal, and face the truth about his biological father. Weaving together drama, comedy, and a Biblical background, audiences may discover that Jesus’ coming of age is not unlike their own.”5
- The Godening (2008, United States)—A forty-minute morality play about a Christian who descends into hedonism and is in need of redemption.
- Crucifixion (2008, United States)—A 120-minute television film of the Passion and death of Jesus. (Difficult to trace information about the film.)
- JC in tha Hood (2008, United States)—A seventy-minute gangster and drug film with a Jesus character.
JC in tha Hood is a story of religious redemption, following four lost souls in the inner city of Los Angeles. A prostitute, a gang-banger, an alcoholic and a drug addict are all in need of spiritual guidance from big brother Jesus Christ. JC roams the hood unnoticed but ever present. All four people are eventually given a second chance to redeem themselves by accepting God into their everyday lives. JC; An uplifting story of hope and redemption proposing that everyone deserves a second chance to find and worship God.6
- Forgiven (2008, United States)—Only a six-minute short but the synopsis has interesting aspects.
Forgiven is about a man named James who has an encounter with Jesus Christ during His walk with the cross to the crucifixion site. It turns out that James is the one who nails Jesus to the cross and as he does so, he starts to remember the bad things in his life that are affecting it and the people around him. He begins to realize that his sins are what nailed Jesus to the cross. This encounter gives James forgiveness, hope, and a second chance to live a better life then the one he was living previously.7
- The Sindone (2009, Spain)—While this film, with Gospel scenes as well as a modern story about the presence of Jesus, was in production, a Making of . . . short appeared on YouTube along with a trailer and other promotional clips.
- Ben-Hur (2010, United Kingdom)—A new version of Ben-Hur was in production in 2009, a British production with some excellent credentials: director Steve Shill who has worked in the United Kingdom and the United States, especially for television; a script by veteran Alan Sharp (Ulzana’s Raid, Rob Roy, Dean Spanley), a British cast including Joseph Morgan as Ben-Hur and Stephen Campbell Moore as Messala, and a supporting cast including Ray Winstone as Arrius. Audiences will be keen to see how the film handles the presence of Jesus in Nazareth and on the way to Calvary compared with the previous versions and their reticence.
- The Road to Emmaus (2010, United States)—A thirty-minute dramatization of Luke 24, the road to Emmaus after the Resurrection. Bruce Marchiano is Jesus as he was in The Visual Bible: Matthew and The Visual Bible: Acts.
- The Encounter (2010, United States)—A modern story where Jesus encounters a young woman on the road.
- The Lion of Judah ( 2010, United States)—A full-length animation film about animals and the story of Jesus, especially a lamb who grazes near Jerusalem at the time of the Passion. The voice of Jesus is that of Bruce Marchiano, who was Jesus in The Visual Bible: Matthew, The Visual Bible: Acts, and The Road to Emmaus. Other voices include Michael Madsen and Ernest Borgnine.
- City of Gardens (2011, United States)—Full-length feature film about a surfer thrown into a Peruvian jail in the 1980s. True story.
Notes
1. Anonymous, “Plot Summary for the Secrets of Mary Magdalene,” Internet Movie Database, www.imdb.com/title/tt0892428/plotsummary.
2. “The Greatest Story of All Time: Storyline,” Internet Movie Database, www.imdb.com/title/tt0488395/.
3. Steve McNaughton, “Well Worth a Look by Horror Fans and Beyond,” Reviews & Ratings for “Reconciled,” Internet Movie Database, www.imdb.com/title/tt0386737/reviews. McNaughton has made a documentary on a 1980s film by Ritter, Crimson Carnage: The Making of Truth or Dare (2009).
4. Ken James, “Plot Summary for The Messiah: Prophecy Fulfilled,” Internet Movie Database, www.imdb.com/title/tt0368025/plotsummary.
5. Julie Sesnovich, “Plot Summary for Teenage Christ,” Internet Movie Database, www.imdb.com/title/tt1347385/plotsummary.
6. Zmovie.tv, “JC in tha Hood,” www1.zmovie.tv/movies/view/jc-in-tha-hood.
7. Hans Hernke, “Forgiven: Storyline,” Internet Movie Database, www.imdb.com/title/tt1307445/.