Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
- Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 5:15, KJV)

Ken heard the reports, “I understand that Mel Gibson had a personal passion to make this film based upon the lowest times of his life, going as far as wanting to commit suicide. He realized the Truth about life and what he must do. He put his money where his heart was, nearly $25 million. I had to see why the movie, which depicts only the last 12 hours of Christ prior to his death on the cross, was made.”

The movie starts with Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, his arrest by the temple guards and the cruelty he suffered at the hands of evil men. Ken shakes his head, “I saw no reason as to how some religious organization have perceived it being anti-Semitic.” The historical and cultural events indicated that the Romans had a hate for the Jews, and this movie depicted the same. I am glad to see that Mel Gibson did not give into his critics but filmed it as the Pope John Paul II stated, “It is as it was.”

Ken had attended at the Regal Medlock Crossing theater in Duluth, GA. The movie theater houses 18 screens. The largest one was reserved for the showing of THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST for the premier showing to the public on February 25, 2004.

It was intended by Icon, the production company to release the film on Ash Wednesday. After seeing the movie, Ken was interviewed by CNN.

It is a moving and griping movie. The violence may have been considered too overdone, but it remains factual as to the punishment and cruelty that was inflicted upon Jesus of Nazareth. The scenes were so bloody that Ken witnessed a few young ladies leave the theater. “I watched the audience for their reactions. And, I saw many tears shed and mouths being covered by hands. I have never witnessed such an emotional outbreak within a movie theater.”

The spoken language in the film is in Aramaic and Latin with the subtitles in English. This allows the audience to be drawn into the film, to feel the language, the culture, the anguish and hatred cast upon Jesus. “Mel Gibson did a superb direction in allowing the language represent the drama and heightened the passion of that event. “He convinced me that I was right there, watching along with Peter and John the events of the Lord’s suffering. I was moved to tears,” Ken shyly admits.

Mel Gibson uses an interesting technique to show demons, Satan, and the snake under foot. He seemed to take some liberty of using Hollywood’s techniques and artistic imagery along with special effects… very well done! Ken states, “The movie used some flashbacks to the time when Jesus was a young boy and fell down, the time he made a table as a carpenter, the Sermon on the Mount, and the last supper with his disciples. The editing and timing of the flashbacks was well conceived.”
The question: Would you go see the movie again? “YES… absolutely, yes!”

The best part of the movie was the last 30 seconds… the Resurrection. It is a must see movie for the believer and the unbeliever alike.
Ken wishes to see Mel Gibson and other Christian artists portray the travails of the Apostle Paul on film. That would be another dynamite movie to consider for the cause of Christianity.

Once Ken left the movie theater, a young woman approached him with a microphone in hand. Next to her was a companion with a TV camera mounted on his shoulder. She stated that she was with CNN Espanola. Ken gave them permission for an interview concerning the movie.

CNN: How would you describe the movie?

Ken: It was a very moving movie. It detailed the suffering of Christ.

CNN: What did this movie mean to you?

Ken: As a Christian, it reconfirmed my faith in Christ. It brought to my remembrance that through His stripes we are healed… a very moving movie.

CNN: Humanity has described this as being a controversial movie. How would you describe it?

Ken: The life of Christ has always been controversial. This is a continuation of that controversy. Thank you.

Mel Gibson said it best, “This is a story "about love, hope, faith, and forgiveness. Jesus died for all mankind, suffered for all of us. It's time to get back to that basic message. The world has gone nuts. We could all use a little more love, faith, hope, and forgiveness."

THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST has received bipolar reviews. Some have condemned the movie as anti-semitic. Some have stated that it is a distorted interpretation by a non-biblical scholar. And yet, others have praised Mel Gibson for producing and directing one of the most stirring movies to come to the silver screen in more than 25 years.

The Pope was allowed to see a pre-screening of the movie at the Vatican and stated, "It is as it was."

Mel Gibson has allowed a book to be published concerning the filming of THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. The book contains a forward by Mel Gibson and the book is a photographic journey into the making of the movie..

Ken Duncan and Phillpe Antonello captured the images while the filming progressed and are recorded in this book.

Mel Gibson is a devout Catholic and a firm believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. At one lowly time in his life, he had thought about committing suicide. He came to know the value of life by having a personal and spiritual encounter with the Spirit of Jesus.

Although not a bible scholar, he relied upon the expertise of other scholarly Christians to assist him in the making of the movie, THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST.