I've viewed a non-finalized DVD screener of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" and based on that, together with a Fox Home Entertainment press release, I'm able to give some preliminary information and personal opinion.
I originally saw "The Passion" on the big screen in a packed multiplex theater, and I have to admit it played differently when I watched it on DVD at home. The film's visceral impact is somewhat diminished on the small screen, but I believe the movie remains emotionally engaging and thought-provoking. The film means different things to different people, and I think DVD provides a good way for individuals to make up their own minds.
The dialogue is spoken entirely in ancient languages, predominantly in Aramaic, with the rest in Latin. The non-finalized DVD screener I received contained only English subtitles, but the press release claims that the finalized DVD will also have Spanish subtitles and English captions for the hearing impaired.
The screener I viewed was in anamorphic widescreen format (2.35:1), but there will also be a separate full-screen (1.33:1) version available on DVD. The press release promises that the movie is presented "with a maximum bit rate." I think sound plays an important role in experiencing this film, and the press release states that the final DVD will provide 5.1 Dolby Digital and 5.1 DTS.
The screener I received contained no bonus materials, and the press release does not list any as being present on the final DVD.
"The Passion" chronicles the last hours of Jesus' life, and the strong international cast includes James Caviezel (Jesus), Maia Morgenstern (Mary), and Monica Bellucci (Mary Magdalene). I think Gibson managed to brilliantly combine realistic-looking locations and a natural style of acting with slow motion, unnatural colors, digitally tweaked sound effects, and New Age music to create a special world. Although the film is sometimes heavy-handed, it nonetheless has touches of poetry in my opinion.
Much of "The Passion" focuses on cruelty and the horrific physical injuries inflicted upon Jesus, and the MPAA has given the movie an R rating for sequences of graphic violence. It is one of the most violent mainstream films I've ever seen, and while I personally find that acceptable in the context of the story, I don’t blame anyone for preferring not to see it.
"The Passion" seems to me to be a deeply felt personal statement by Mel Gibson, and he presents it in a provocative way that stirs up a number of controversial religious, psychological, social, and political issues. I am not comfortable with some of Gibson’s choices, but I found the movie well worth seeing because it moved me and made me think.
The run time of "The Passion of the Christ" is about two hours six minutes, including more than seven minutes of closing credits. The final DVD is scheduled to become available on August 31.
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