If you don’t own a copy — Stop reading right now, and buy this DVD!

If you do own a copy, you’re probably wondering what’s new in this re-release.

Mel Gibson’s 2004 blockbuster is at the same time part documentary and part (very personal) artistic meditation of the Passion — the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is perhaps one of the most moving films ever made and one of the most important films for evangelism in today’s secularist Culture of Death.

Three years after its release (which, like the Gospels themselves, was a source of heated debate and division), it has been re-released as a “Definitive Edition,” with a number of special features:

The movie is still in Aramaic and Latin, with subtitles. The purpose of this is to avoid “bringing Jesus into today’s world” and rather force the viewer back in time, as if you were a witness to the actual events. Disc 1 has both the theatrical and re-cut version of the film, complete with accompanying commentaries by filmmakers, cinematographers, producers, musical directors and theologians. A particularly wonderful feature is an enhanced viewing mode featuring Biblical footnotes while the movie is playing. Disc 2 features one reasonably in-depth behind-the-scenes/making-of documentary. The other features on this disc include mini featurettes on religious art, ancient languages, a short showcase of the actual places in Jerusalem where the Stations of the Cross occurred, production art, a couple of deleted scenes, and a few other things like actors’ bios and (disappointingly short) lives of the saints.

Personally, I found the discussion regarding ancient languages most interesting. Fr.Fulco, who served as historical and ancient language consultant during the scripting, shooting and post-production of the film, is erudite and well spoken. The section on religious art was quite engaging, but a bit disappointing in its superficiality (perhaps because I have a particular interest in art history and love the details). It would have been nice, for example, if the names of artists and some details of the pieces accompanied the art documentary and the art gallery. However, in exchange, the DVD gives a great mini documentary on crucifixion as a mode of punishment and execution.

As far as the behind-the-scenes features, most touching were Jim Caviezel’s humble and soft-spoken interview, during which he (and others) describes the physical, mental and spiritual anguish he endured during the making of this movie — which include, but are not limited to, eight-hour makeup sessions, itching, migraine headaches, freezing weather (while in a loin cloth), being whipped for real, having the several-hundred-pound cross fall on him and crush his skull, and being struck by lightning.

Over these past three years, I have often wondered (with great frustration) why they didn’t include extras on the DVD release of “The Passion of the Christ.” Perhaps the reason was that they did not want people to view this as a regular movie, concentrating on how it was made, etc. Rather, they wanted people to take the movie as it was and concentrate on the message and the emotional/spiritual impact that it had on them, as viewers. Whether Catholic/Christian, Jewish, agnostic or atheist, it is sure to have profound impact on the very fiber of every human being.

This re-release comes at a good time — just when the movie is starting to fade from people’s minds. The strong impact that it had three years ago is starting to taper out, and people are settling back into their fast-paced modern lives, which too often results in a distilling of religious convictions and a laxity of spiritual fervor.

Well, Lent is around the corner, and this movie makes a wonderful accompaniment to spiritual preparation during this time.

For those who have never seen the movie, now is the time.

For those who have seen it, but don’t particularly care to see it again — The extras may give you a new appreciation for the film and spark a sudden desire to watch it over again. This may move you to meditate on its scenes, pray and feel closer to God.

And that is a very good thing.

See also:

• Neither Gibson nor The Passion is anti-Semitic, but anti-Catholicism abounds!.
• Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) with scenes from The Passion of the Christ.
• Click here to purchase The Passion of the Christ.