Jesus in Film
Portraying of Jesus in media sources mainly forms peoples’ attitude towards him. Evidently, film industry is the source that influences on peoples’ mind most effectively. Moreover, people conceive messages about religious issues easier by means of films. It occurs due to bright illustrations and filmic elements. This paper is directed to distinguish Jesus appearance in films. In this paper two films The Passion of the Christ and Life of Brian are reviewed.
In order to detect essence of the topic three objectives are set. Firstly, it is necessary to indicate characteristics of Jesus in mentioned films. The second objective is related to the main idea of the films. It is evident that Jesus related films are oriented towards interpretation of religious quotes; however, analyze on the films defined that they emphasize different matters and characteristics of Jesus. Strong point of this research is that interpretation of Jesus personality in films is put in comparison with Gospels, and this is the way of distinguishing common grounds. While chosen films are not documentary sources, differences in interpretation of Jesus life occur. The reason is that gospels are considered as religious quotes based on the New and Old Testaments. Gospel writers known from the Testaments (Matthew, John, Mark, and Luck) noted specific moments of Jesus life, for instance, Mark specified final period of Jesus life in Jerusalem. Matthew’s gospels distinguished importance of Jesus as the Son of God and especially his role as Messiah that had been mentioned in the Old Testament. Gospel of Luke is supposed to be the third gospel. Theologian and many scholars identify his gospels as clarification of previous gospels. In addition, it is considered that gospel of Luke pushed the idea of “a case for Christianity as not being a threat to the Roman Empire” (The Gospel of Luke, n. d.) Gospel of John has very different approach to Jesus importance. According to John, belief in Jesus is the corn idea of religion. Only by doing so, humanity can reach freedom. As can be seen from the above, gospels contain specific information that makes possible to interpret Jesus role as the Messiah.
Two films The Passion of the Christ and Life of Brian have very different content. The first film is dedicated to disclose last days of Jesus life, the second one distinguishes the fact of Jesus appearance. Moreover, it stands to mention that these films belong to different genres. The passion of the Christ belongs to drama whereas Life of Brian is perceived as a comedy. Nonetheless, comedy film to some extend describes main characteristics of Jesus.
The film The passion of the Christ is mainly directed to get out following message. Jesus was the one who infinitely believed in God. There is not any information concerning his birth, however, it shows his understanding of God power and His genialness. Regardless of Jesus destiny, agony that he faced, Jesus perceived it as the finger of God. Even in his extreme moments, he spread ideas such as forgiveness, humbling, and faith in God. Moreover, being in trouble, he was reminding beautiful moments of his religious lessons to his followers. This fact proves his words about love and forgiveness. At the same time, this film evidently demonstrates how Jesus followers easily disowned him and his way. Such behavior indicates peoples’ fear to bear responsibility for their choice and principles. In such manner, in the film as the main characteristic of Jesus self-devotion was shown while he believed that his wounds will heal humanity, and by his agony, people will be forgiven. Additionally, there is a message about Jesus fear to lose faith in God, and his passion to be devoted to Lord fully. (Gibson, The Passion of the Christ)
Purposes of the film can be various; it depends on peoples’ mind, values, view of life and others. Nonetheless, there are some points that distinguish main idea of the film. Firstly, Jesus being the Son of God, preached peace and he fought for acceptance of Lord and His willing. The second idea does not directly refer to Jesus, but it maintains idea that God sends challenges to people who should withstand. As the highest point of the film the last words of Jesus can be identified. Jesus expressed his feelings concerning God as following: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit”. This phrase is supposed to be the highest point while it presents corn idea of the film. All actions, phrases of Jesus throughout the film showed his dependence on God, his belief and faith in God. Whereas lowest point of the film cannot be defined due to the nature of the film, its disputable essence. (Gibson, The Passion of the Christ)
In comparison with the first one, film Life of Brian displays another approach to Jesus. This film is not about Jesus, but it evidences figure of Christ to some extent. It stands to mention that the group of people (fringe group) who stood against the Roman Empire played essential role in main hero’s life. For that manner, Brian (main hero) who was perceived as the Messiah was a tool for the sect. Nonetheless, the film Life of Brian characterizes the Messiah as a leader whose designation is to lead people to fair way. Life of Brian does not demonstrate any characteristics of Jesus; there is no evident belief/ faith in God or abidance to God’s willing. Moreover, Jesus in the first film is perceived as the person who teaches to be tolerant to others, and forgive them whereas Brian has negative approach to Roman, thereby presenting figure of Christ in negative way. However, it is important to understand that the second film is not about disgracing figure of Jesus and religion; it mostly points out disadvantages of society like person’s readiness to accept every ideology, idea and other occurrences without making conscious choice. (Steven, 2016) As a strong point of the film can be last scene defined. According to this scene everyone in whom he believed faced away. This part demonstrates instability of people that the only thing individual can do is to strengthen his faith in God. As the lowest point of Life of Brian, the moment when Brian is mistaken for the Messiah is distinguished. The reason is that this scene presents people in ridiculous way. (Terry Jones, Life of Brian) However, last scenes of the film show how Brian is getting used to his destiny. In some ways, it evidences how he perceives God willing concerning his life. In addition, this occasion also indicates how events in individual’s life change the person’s destiny. As Brian had been mistaken for the Messiah, his life totally changed. Possibly, this film teaches to be careful to actions, and choices that human make.
However, the film Life of Brian apparently demonstrates real willing of people. In every society, people need someone who will lead them to justice. Additionally, people look for occurrences with transcendental explanation. (Terry Jones, Life of Brian)
Filmic elements used in both of films gave different effects. Both of them were directed to specify supernatural occurrence, although they achieved diverse results. Filmic elements in Life of Brian (occurrence of alliance and beatific light) infused amusing side of film. Whereas Satan, ability to heal, natural troubles in The Passion of the Christ enhanced impression. On the other side, filmic elements used in The Passion of the Christ expressed negative human nature, such as vandalism and severity.
Interrelation between gospels and the film Life of Brian is hardly perspicuous while Brian is not Jesus. In addition, as this film is not about religious disputes, it is aimed to show unthoughtful behavior. Putting together The Passion of The Christ and Gospels of four apostles, no contradictions are found. Both sources confirm Jesus victory over Satan, sin, and death. According to the film, Satan was sending challenges aiming to break Jesus spirit. However, until the end Jesus faith in God stayed unshaken. In addition, gospel of Matthew provides information about Jesus understanding of enemies, anger, and judgement, so these characteristics are fully reflected in the film. Gospels present Jesus self-sacrifice and this idea also was maintained throughout the film. (Gospels of Luke, n. d.)
As can be seen from the above information these films present different ideas. One of them promotes strong issues concerning Jesus whereas the second film brings up another point. The Passion of the Christ indicates the importance of Jesus in religion; Life of Brian focuses on the problem of human designation in society. In spite of being criticized for disregard of Jesus and religion, the film was aimed to specify challenges that humanity faces.
For the foregoing reasons, portraying of Jesus in films is considered to be ambivalent. On the one side, films based on religious matters define loftiness of God and apostles; on the other, they demonstrate sinfulness of people. Nonetheless, exactly such kind of films may effect on peoples’ mind while usually religious films are psychologically very strong, and promote ideas of justice and faith.
It is evident that religious studies cause many disputes from the earliest times; nonetheless, absence of precise facts makes it difficult to stop disputes, in particular regarding Jesus and God. In such manner, issues related to religion stay open.
References
The Gospel of Luke, n. d. Blue Letter Bible. Web. 15 April 2016
Steven, A. Benko. Ironic Faith in Monty Python’s Life of Brian. 2012. Journal of Religion and Film. Web. 16 April 2016
The Passion of the Christ. Dir. Mel Gibson. Perf. Jim Caviezel, Monica Bellucci, Maia Morgenstern. Icon Productions, 2004. Film
Life of Brian. Dir. Terry Jones. Perf. Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Michael Palin. HandMade Films, 1979. Film
