Behind the Scenes of The Passion
On the set with Holly McClure
Day 4: Realistic violence is Gibson's way of showing "the extent of the sacrifice willingly taken by Jesus."
by Holly McClure | posted 02/26/04
The Passion of The Christ is a violent film, and Mel Gibson wouldn't have it any other way, because he knows all too well how that realism can impact an audience.
"This is an event that actually happened," Mel explained. "I'm exploring it this way to show the extent of the sacrifice willingly taken by Jesus. The price he paid—that is as much a part of what Jesus went through as the resurrection."
 | | The realistic-looking wounds on Jim Caviezel |
The special effects team of makeup artists and technicians were challenged to create new ways of showing realistic crucifixion and flagellation scenes. They devised a never-been-done-before technique of showing the nails being driven into Christ's hands—and yes, it looks real.
Special effects makeup producer Keith Vanderlaan (nominated for an Academy Award for his work in Hannibal) did extensive research on actual crucifixions, then improvised with his own techniques. The graphic flesh wounds, scars, ribs protruding from Christ's chest and even the nails being driven into his hands have never been tried before.
Jim Caviezel, a devout Christian who plays Jesus, was the recipient of much of Vanderlaan's makeup magic. At the end of the work day, I watched Jim peel off the layer of rubber makeup that looks like realistic wounds. He'd drop it all to the floor, leaving what looked like a pile of pizza toppings. Yes, I know: It's pretty disgusting.
Jim suffered through much in his portrayal of Jesus. The film was shot in the frigid winter cold, and he sometimes wore no more than a loin cloth. During the filming of the scourging scene, he was accidentally struck several times, actually drawing blood.
Despite all that, Jim had a few light and funny moments while wearing his tortured makeup, singing Bing Crosby Christmas carols and doing imitations of famous people.
It was amusing and interesting to see the extras stare in awe at Jim. Many of these character actors—mostly Italians—had been extras in other films, but they'd never seen anything like this. To them, Jim represented the closest thing to Christ that they'd seen. Old women would walk up and touch his robe or grab his hands and yell "Christo!"
 | | Jim Caviezel's amazing make-up job |
In some scenes they used a mechanical dummy of Jesus to survive the cold weather and long hours on the cross. (I have some of the toes and fingers from the dummy.) One day, while filming the crucifixion scene, a woman saw the dummy on the ground and went over to try and console him and keep him warm. I'm still not sure if she ever realized that dummy wasn't a real person.
Another time, a priest approached the cross in distress, convinced that Jim had taken his last breath. As he begin to yell and scream for help, the crew came running. The priest was embarrassed to find out that it was only the mechanical Jesus—and not Jim—that stopped breathing. Everyone had a good laugh—especially the priest.
In the end, though, Mel Gibson has made a violent film that realistically depicts Christ's wounds. Although the scenes of torture and crucifixion are very hard to watch, for the first time I, as a Christian, clearly saw what Jesus must have truly suffered through. It strengthened my faith and made me grateful for the price that was paid.
Tomorrow: Miracles on the set: "There's an interesting power in the script," says Gibson. "It's really happening."
For more on Holly McClure, click here.
Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.
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