Viewers find film brutal, unforgettable
Local viewers found "The Passion of the Christ" as brutal and graphic as the previews had promised, as the film opened in McCook and nationwide Wednesday night.
Ticket sales nationwide indicated a sellout crowd and many must have assumed the first viewing in McCook was sold out as well as there were 25-30 empty seats in the theater when the lights went down for the 7 p.m. showing Wednesday night. The 9:30 p.m. show was more than half full.
The re-enactment of the last 12 hours of the life of Jesus was vivid and compelling. However, even amid the brutality and the bloodletting, a measure of tenderness was evident in the eyes of Jesus and an outpouring of compassion was seen in the eyes of those witnessing the event. The influence of Satan on the Roman soldiers was unmistakable as the scourging increased in intensity with each blow. Similarly, the influence of the Christ was powerful as those who first sought to torment watched in amazement at the way he died.
"I was watching the crowd exit from the first showing," said Renee Matthews of McCook, in line for the second viewing. "It looked like they'd just left the funeral of a dear loved one. They were so silent, so sad."
"I was in tears all the way through it," said Michelle Ray of McCook today. "I'm so glad I saw it, I'll never forget it."
"I didn't see evidence of anti-Semitism," said Matthews."But the movie was brutal, and it was frightening to see how the crowd got caught up in the moment."
Both women agreed that the ending was the triumph of the film. "I kept getting more and more tense," said Ray. "I was afraid it would end in that darkness, without hope."
"I am so glad they showed him (Jesus) rising," added Matthews. "Not only was his suffering over, it was honored."
The show is scheduled for a four-week run, with shows nightly at 7 and 9:30 p.m., and matinees at 1:30 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Special showings are available and many area churches have reserved the theater. The film is rated R.