(2) The film only depicts fifteen seconds of the Resurrection.  This objection has been voiced by Christians, and it is certainly true that the movie presents the Resurrection but briefly and almost as an afterthought.  On the other hand, to criticize a movie about the Passion for not including enough about the Resurrection is like walking out of a Good Friday service and complaining that there were too few choruses of "He is Risen."  Christians who make this objection are concerned that if a nonbeliever sees the film, he or she will be exposed to the dimmest part of the Christian story, without an equal, balancing emphasis on the hope and glory of the Resurrection.  Easter is, after all, the most important Christian holiday.  But it may be a mistake to regard The Passion as an evangelistic tool that is responsible for explaining Christianity to nonbelievers.  The Passion may inspire nonbelievers to learn "the rest of the story," but it is not primarily targeted at those who disbelieve Christ;  rather, its deepest impact will be felt by those who are already Christians, but who may have begun to take Christ’s sacrifice for granted.

(3) The film is anti-Semitic or may inspire anti-Semitism. Most who called the film anti-Semitic slandered it before they saw it, though some maintained the charge even after a viewing.  Others, however, argue that the film clearly makes the point that Christ died because of the sins of all men, not because of the evil of a particular race of people.  In the film there are Jews who clamor for Christ's death as well as Jews who follow Him to the last and tenderly take him from the cross.   The movie shows both the heights and depths, the evil and compassion of man—Jewish and Gentile alike.  Although Pilate is indeed portrayed as a reluctant executioner who is stuck between a rock and a hard place, the most brutal torturers in the movie are Romans.  And even if we sympathize with Pilate, that sympathy should remind us that we, too, in his place would have consented to the crucifixion of Jesus.  It reminds us of the too true adage that evil happens only because good men do nothing.  Those who predicted that The Passion would lead to a rise in anti-Semitism may be surprised to learn that opinion surveys taken after its showing revealed an increased respect for Jews and Judaism. 

Running Time: 127 minutes.  2004. Rated R (violence).