www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Mel Gibson On ETWN Yesterday.

Sorry I only learned about it at the last minute, but Mel was interviewed by Raymond Arroyo for about a half hour. Interesting discussion about the upcoming movie, with no mention of changes or editing. For the most part Mr Gibson sounded like a very sincere Catholic, but I was a bit puzzled by his statement that previous on screen depictions of Jesus, were usually too effeminate and ethereal. I totally disagree with him on that point, but he's certainly entitled to his opinion.

James Caviezel, the actor playing Jesus, was also interviewed and like Gibson he too appears to be a sincere Catholic.

While I don't agree totally with Mr. Gibson's views on how Christ has been portrayed in films before, I have noticed that most actors chosen bear little resemblance to a Man who would have been working as a carpenter for most of His Life. But I have to admit that the actor that comes closest in my mind to how Our Lord might have looked is the man who played Him in Jesus of Nazareth...there was an other world quality that the actor(whose name I can not remember) brought to the part.

I think movies are a bit like Icons in that they are not meant to portray the earthly reality, and imho, I think this is more true when the movie is portraying the life of Christ or one of the Saints.

Vie

Ladyhawke

I quite agree with you with you, the actor you're thinking of is Robert Powell, he said in a later interview, that while filming Jesus of Nazareth, that he would walk onto a set, and people would suddenly stop using bad language. Max Von Sydow and Jeffery Hunter were also good in the role playing our Saviour, but Robert Powell brought an otherworldly quality to the part. Still, I can't understand Mr Gibson's rationale for believing that a carpenter should appear outwardly rugged.

Hi,

Which might be misleading.

It is my understanding that Mr. Gibson is NOT a Catholic, and that he belongs to an ultra-traditionalist sect that left the SSPX because *they* were too liberal. Go figure.

Shalom,
Memo.

Memo,

I don't know that that's entirely correct re Mel. His father is a member of this sect, but I've heard that Mel recently left the sect and entered back into communion with the Church, though he still only attends Latin Mass. I'm not sure which is the case, though.

Justin

Would some reputable Catholic magazine interview Mr. Gibson and set the record straight.

There are too many conflicting stories circulating on this forum.

Paul

Please respond.

You guys are scaring me. I'm not used to getting the last word.

Memo Rodriguez,

Memo,

That is just an arrogant and stupid comment. Gibson is more Catholic then most "Catholics" in the USA. Gibson believes Pro-Life not Pro-Murder, Gibson believes in Humane Vitae most Catholics do not, Gibson believes in all of the teachings of the Church up till VII, and finally, Gibson believes VII was a mistake.

Since VII was not a doctrinal council (i.e. it did NOT address issues of faith (i.e. it is NOT infalliable) the verdic is still out on whether or not the council was good for the Church.

It is my opinion that the council did somethings good for our (eastern) church and most things bad for the Latin church. But then again my opinion and .50 might get you a cup of coffee.

Before you go off declaring who is and who is not a Catholic I suggest you read the Catachism and let Christ be the judge.

Years ago the program Entertainment Tonight did a bit about Mel Gibson...they of course mentioned his Catholicism(as if it was a weird thing). They called him a 'traditional' Catholic, mentioned that he and his family used NFP, that his wife and daughters were only dresses to Church and cover their heads(I know, whats the big deal...I said that they were trying to make him look wierd)and the biggie that the reporter smirked over, they said that he takes his scripts to a Roman Catholic bishop to be reviewed before he agrees to star in a film. Oh yea, and that if there is to be any type of love scene, the set has to be closed to only the crew and his wife has to be present.

I remember that program well, because prior to seeing it, I wasn't as impressed with Gibson as most women of the time were(I think this was at the release of Braveheart). Some might say I am biased, but my opinion of him changed after that program(although, as a history major, I still hate Braveheart)and I have been a fan ever since.

I am pretty sure that they identified him as a Roman Catholic and said that it was a Roman Catholic bishop that approved his scripts.
Vie

Just as an aside, any Jewish carpenter, no matter how ripped and muscular he is, would be completely emaciated after a 40 day fast. Jesus would have lost his muscle weight after his post-baptismal fast. I don't think Jesus was pumping weights or eating a lot during his three year ministry. Ergo, our Lord Jesus was not a muscular carpenter during his ministry.

Marshall

I never thought of that Marshall, thanks. That means that Robert Powell's portrayal probably would have been closest to the reality since Jeffrey Hunter was a bit stockier and Max Von Sydow probably a bit too tall for a 1st century Jewish male(not to mention the short hair and the clean shaven chin)

Thanks Lady Hawk.

Your descripion of the ET story on Mel Gibson sounds like typical Hollywood distortion of character (ET not you).

I'm still looking for a story/interview of Mr. Gibson in a reputable Catholic magazine or newspaper.

Anyone know of such an article?

Paul

Maybe these will help! More than you ever wanted to know about Mel Gibson I am sure. But one article led to another article. Actually on Google there are 14, 000 sites that come up when you type in "is Mel Gibson Catholic".
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/20030722.htm
http://www.illinoisleader.com/letters/lettersview.asp?c=7307
http://www.ncregister.com/Register_News/061503_1.htm
http://www.celebritywonder.com/html/melgibson.html

Rose,

Thank you for the Mel Gibson 'Passion' links.

Stolen draft scripts. Charges of anti-semitism.
Sounds like Satan is trying to destroy this movie about the last 12 hours of Christ's life.

Christ save us. Holy Mother of God pray for us.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Amen Brother Paromer, AMEN.

james