When Jesus came to earth, he did so without much fanfare, born in a lowly Bethlehem stable, surrounded by peasants, barnyard animals and maybe a few shepherds.

Related: • The artists behind the soundtrack • Peter Chattaway's review • Interview with Mel Gibson • Medved on anti-Semitism • Complete Passion coverage • Downloadable Bible Studies on the film

But when Jesus hit the cineplex in February, there was fanfare aplenty. Considering the hullabaloo surrounding the theater release of The Passion of The Christ, one might think it was the Second Coming.

Many Christians certainly regarded it as something of a sacred event, helping to make it the highest-grossing R-rated film ever (and No. 8 overall in the U.S.), earning some $370 million domestically—and over $600 million worldwide. But it was more than just a monetary blockbuster; untold thousands of believers—including quite a few of our readers—were spiritually moved by the film. Many rededicated their lives to Christ, and some came to him for the first time.

Meanwhile, the media had a field day, calling the film "controversial" and quoting anybody who was willing to say it was anti-Semitic—whether they had actually seen the movie or not. Mel Gibson, who funded and directed the film, suddenly found himself on the defensive and answering difficult questions, all for making a film he says he was compelled to make because of his commitment to faith.

Jim Caviezel plays the role of Christ

Well, that all died down—for a while. Now, of course, The Passion is back in the headlines, as it releases to video today (retail $29.98 DVD, $24.98 VHS). It's pretty much exactly as we saw it in theaters—no frills, no bonus coverage, no director's commentary, no behind-the-scenes stories or interviews—virtually no DVD extras whatsoever, other than the option of Spanish subtitles.

A "special edition" version—with all those extra features—could be in the works for later release, but a Fox Home Entertainment spokesman wouldn't elaborate. (I'm guessing we might see something either in time for Christmas, or by next Easter.)

Reliving the Controversy?
The Passion's video release will spark some of the buzz again, though on a smaller scale. As I write these words just a few days before its release, I've seen very few stories about it. But last January and February, leading up to its theater release, it wasn't unusual to see dozens of stories each day.

Mary (Maia Morgenstern) and Mary Magdalene (Monica Belluci)

So it's relatively quiet now—but not entirely. Just the other day, Rabbi Marvin Hier, dean and founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Museum of Tolerance, told Religion News Service, "If you're asking me if we have changed our positions, absolutely not." Hier said he still feels the film depicts Jews "in a very negative manner."

Meanwhile, Anti-Defamation League national director Abraham Foxman, who so vehemently protested the film before its theater release, told the RNS there's nothing more to say on the topic because "DVD is not the event the film was."

According to an article in last week's TV Guide, Gibson was so stung by the charges of anti-Semitism that he's spent much of the last six months relatively in hibernation—well out of the limelight. The accusations "affected him greatly," Father William Fulco, who spent long hours on the set in Italy, told TV Guide. Another friend, who preferred to remain anonymous, told the magazine, "I never see him anymore. I think he's hiding in his house."

Controversy or no, millions of Christians will certainly add it to their video libraries—and to others' libraries as well. Many Christian parents will also likely show it to their children for the first time—taking full advantage of the mute, pause and fast-forward functions. According to a poll at www.passion-movie.com, of those who plan to buy the DVD, they will buy an average of three copies, using the others as gifts to friends and family and/or for evangelism purposes. (And a whopping 9 percent said they'd buy five copies or more.)

Churches will also buy it, and add Passion courses to their fall curriculum. And of course, millions of non-believers will buy or rent it, curious to see what all the hubbub is about. Fox Home Entertainment apparently had some 15 million units ready for its initial shipment. Video chains are drooling; it'll certainly be a blockbuster for the likes of Blockbuster.

Carrying the cross

Far-reaching effects
The film's effect has been immeasurable in many ways—mostly in changed lives—but sometimes it was quite quantifiable: Attendance briefly surged at many churches, and Christian bookstores saw a sudden spike in sales for Bibles and Jesus books. There was a market for Passion spin-off products, mainly books and CDs—and more are coming, including a CD of rock songs inspired by the film.

Not coincidentally, today's Passion release date also brings a special edition DVD of Jesus Christ Superstar and, uhh, South Park: Passion of the Jew. (About the only thing we haven't seen is a line of McDonald's Happy Meal action figures: "Look, Mom! I got Satan holding the ugly baby!")

The Passion's pop culture ramifications could be more far-reaching into the future. Suddenly, Hollywood sees the big-money potential—and that Christians will obviously cough up the dough—for religious films. A $130 million film about the Crusades, 20th Century Fox's Kingdom of Heaven, is in the works and slated for release sometime in '05. Films of The Chronicles of Narnia and The Da Vinci Code are also in production. All because The Passion has groomed the culture at large—and those in the entertainment industry—to be more, well, tolerant of such religious fare. It's now a part of our cultural conversation.

Pollster George Barna told the Los Angeles Times that he believes the video release of The Passion will only help that process, because watching a film at home is more conducive to spiritual reflection and conversation.

May the reflection and conversation begin.

For more coverage, check out our special section on The Passion of The Christ.

Note: For full-length Bible studies on The Passion of The Christ, click here.

Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

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