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Behind the Scenes of The Passion
On the set with Holly McClure
Day 1: How I ended up being a surprise "consultant" on this remarkable film.
by Holly McClure | posted 02/23/04
When I was summoned to Mel Gibson's office in August of 2002, little did I dream how significant that meeting would be and how much it would change my life in the year and a half to come.
I've been a movie critic, radio talk show host and media personality for over ten years, and had gained some recognition in both the secular and Christian entertainment industry. When Gibson decided to make The Passion of The Christ, he asked a mutual friend, David Rose, who might advise him on the film's potential appeal for Christians. My name was recommended.
So, I found myself seated at a huge conference table at the Icon office that summer afternoon, listening to Mel—yes, we're on first-name terms now—describe his story, acting out several scenes with a zealous animation that is unmistakably "Mel." I had to pinch myself as I watched my favorite actor describe his pet project that was affectionately called, "Mel's labor of love."
Dressed in jeans, a white T-shirt and a blue denim shirt worn open, Mel described the opening scene with zealous details: "There's a full moon over the garden and we see Jesus praying, then he goes to the disciples to ask them to stay awake but they can't, so he returns to pray …" Mel continued describing his movie, a script he'd been working on for almost a decade.
I was caught off guard when Mel offered me the script and asked for my impressions. I blushed as I took it and said, "You're an Oscar winning director of Braveheart. What suggestions could I possibly offer you?" In his usual "aw shucks" humility, Mel replied, "No, seriously, I want your opinion."
Two weeks later Mel called me and asked me what I thought. I told him it was brilliant, and that Christians would love it. He asked if I had any suggestions. And I did.
 | | Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdalene |
I saw a potential problem with Mary Magdalene. Mel had her in every scene with Mary (Jesus' mother) and John, but there was no scene to connect this woman to Jesus. I asked, "Is she his sister? His wife? A lover? You have to pretend like no one knows this story. You have to ask why this woman would follow Jesus so faithfully."
After a pause, Mel said, "You're right. I need a flashback to connect her relationship to him. I've been working on this script for almost nine years and no one has ever pointed that out to me."
I smiled and said, "Well maybe it takes a woman to see that Mary needs an introduction—and so people don't get the wrong idea. Maybe you could add a scene like the one where men are going to stone a woman and …" Mel jumped in excitedly and said, "Yeah, Jesus steps in and saves her, and I'll show the guys dropping the stones one by one and Mary looks up at Jesus!"
 | | Holly McClure and Monica Bellucci |
It was a conversation I'll never forget. And it ended up contributing to the movie in a positive way. It's a special scene—intimate, precious, touching and certainly one that will connect with women. Mel directed the scene brilliantly. You'd never know it, but that's Mel's foot in the scene, where Mary Magdalene's precious hand reaches out to touch the foot of the man who saved her from being stoned.
Tomorrow: Humble Mel is a practical joker … but quite serious about the art of filmmaking.
For more on Holly McClure, click here.
Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.
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