Films about religion have a habit of stirring up controversy - witness Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ and The Life of Brian! Mel Gibson's film is therefore following in a long tradition. This book, written by a star-studded team of international biblical experts, looks not only at The Passion of the Christ itself, but also the religious and cultural contexts behind it, such as the classical art that influenced it, or the way biblical characters are portrayed. Aimed at students of both religion and film studies, the clergy and interested lay people, this book will help the reader to understand both the film and the gospels in a new light.

About the Author
Dr. Kathleen E. Corley is Oshkosh Northwestern Distinguished Professor and Professor of New Testament at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Dr. Robert L. Webb is an independent scholar who writes and teaches on a variety of New Testament subjects.

Reviews
"...solid collection of 14 scholarly and well-argued articles. Highly Recommended."-Library Journal
"This volume contains fifteen essays by biblical scholars from Canada, the U. S. and the U. K. who have viewed the movie attentively and who comment from various perspectives on the experience of watching the film, on its relationship to the gospels and to history and on the artistic influences that shaped it. Since religious leaders have touted 'The Passion' as exceptionally faithful to the gospels and to history, it is important to test those claims against the film's actual content. This informed and multifaceted volume would be suitable for use in a course on Jesus films or in church-based 'faith and film: discussions." -Toronto Journal of Theology
'Lively and engaging, it undoubtedly makes fine reading for specialist and mere (screen-) spectator alike...Love or hate the film, there is no denying a deeper appreciation of its aims and issues will be gained with this superb collection to hand.' ~ Louise Lawrence, University of Glasgow
Mention of Robert L. Webb's essay: "...provides a useful analysis of the much criticized, anti-Semitic influence of Anne Catherine Emmerich on Gibson's screenplay..." (Christianity and Literature, Spring 2007) -- S. Brent Plate, Texas Christian University
"Many of the essays...identify a subject from The Passion, such as Mary or Pilate, examine its depiction in the film, and then consider how the Gospels and Scripture scholars treat the same subject. This is useful way of considering the accuracy of the film." -Commonweal, May 2005 * Commonweal *
'...All of the essays in the book are well written and balanced...a thoroughly useful tool in evalluating the film...highly...recommended! -- Helenann Hartley * Expository Times *
"With the surprising and long-lasting popularity of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, there is every reason to expect that this solid collection of 14 scholarly and well-argued articles about the film will receive attention as well. The editors have commissioned scholars from Jewish, Protestant, and Catholic perspectives from the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.... The first thorough investigation of the movie, this is highly recommended." -Library Journal, November 15, 2004 * Library Journal *



Book Information
ISBN 9780826477811
Author Professor Kathleen E. Corley
Format Paperback
Page Count 208
Imprint T.& T.Clark Ltd
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 272g