Behind the Scenes of The Passion
On the set with Holly McClure
Day 5: Miracles on the set: "There's an interesting power in the script," says Gibson. "It's really happening."
by Holly McClure | posted 02/27/04
It's not every day that Jesus gets struck by lightning. But that's just what happened one day on the set of The Passion of The Christ.
Jim Caviezel, who plays the role of Jesus, and assistant director Jan Michelini were both struck by a lightning bolt one day while filming near Rome. Neither was badly hurt.
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Mel told me that Michelini earned the nickname "Lightning Boy," because it was the second time he'd been struck on the set, suffering burns to his fingers after he was hit while carrying an umbrella.
"Both times, he got up and walked away without harm," Mel said. "The second time, the lightning bounced off Jan and hit Jim, and literally his ears and head lit up with a glow. He says he could feel a surge go through his body, but no one was hurt!"
Producer Steve McEveety, who saw the second strike, told one publication that he saw "smoke coming out of Caviezel's ears."
Those are just a couple of what Mel describes as "miracles" during the filming of The Passion, both on and off the set.
"There is an interesting power in the script, so there have been a lot of unusual things happening," Mel said. "Good things. People are being healed of diseases. A couple of people have had their sight and hearing restored. There was even a 6-year-old girl (the daughter of a person connected with the crew) who had epilepsy since she was born. She had up to 50 epileptic fits a day. But she doesn't have them anymore—and hasn't for over a month now."
At one screening of The Passion for religious leaders, Gibson told about a 2-year-old girl whose sight and hearing had been restored. "And you know you can't fake that when you're two," he said.
There were also reports of conversions on the set.
"It has changed us," said Francesco De Vito, who plays the disciple Peter. "I talk with Judas (Luca Lionello) and with John (Hristo Jivkov) about this movie and about faith on the set, and there is something going on with many of us. We've become very focused."
Vera Mitchell, Caviezel's personal stylist, said, "There's a pride that all of us have because we realize we're working on an important movie that could change a lot of lives."
It certainly changed many lives on the set, and Mel marvels at that.
"What seems to be happening because of this movie really gives you a lot of hope," he told me. "It's like, Wow! I mean, we're not kidding around about this. It's really happening."
For more on Holly McClure, click here.
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