Released in 2004, The Passion of the Christ is a film co-produced and directed by the legendary Mel Gibson. The biblical drama movie features stars such as Jim Caviezel, who plays Jesus of Nazareth, Monica Bellucci, and Maia Morgenstern, among others. It depicts the struggles and passion that Jesus Christ went through before and during his crucifixion, according to the gospels of Luke, John, Mathew, and Mark.
Obviously, because it centers on a religious setting, The Passion of the Christ film has attracted praise and criticism in equal measure over the years. This piece highlights some of the lesser-known facts about the movie.
1. Mel Gibson Self-Financed the Film’s Production
The production cost for the film The Passion of the Christ is estimated to have been about US$30 million. A further $15 million was used for marketing costs, all of which Mel Gibson and his company Icon Productions solely bore.
According to Martin Scorsese, an American filmmaker, the fact that he had just finished filming his film Gangs of New York helped Mel Gibson and his team construct a part of their set. This saved Gibson a significant amount of money and time.
2. An Actor Died While Playing Judas
Tiago Klimeck, a Brazilian actor, died after accidentally hanging himself during a stage play. Klimek was playing Judas as depicted in The Passion of the Christ film. The incident happened in Itarare, a city west of Sao Paulo, in 2012.
3. Mel Gibson Consulted Several Theological Advisers
While filming The Passion of the Christs, Mel Gibson consulted several reputable theological advisers, including Fr. Jonathan Morris and Philip J. Ryan, a local priest. The men of God visited the set regularly to provide confession, Holy Communion, and counsel to the cast, especially Jim Caviezel.
4. Some Crew and Cast Members Were Struck By Lightning during Filming
Intriguingly, as the cast and crew filmed The Passion of the Christ, some, such as Jan Michelini, a production assistant, were struck twice by lightning. His mates ended up nicknaming him the “Lightning Boy.” As if that wasn’t enough, Jim Caviezel was also struck by lightning several minutes later after Michelini was hit. He was filming the Sermon on the Mount scene.
5. Jim Caviezel Suffered during the Filming of The Passion of The Christ
While the majority of the film is fictional, the lead actor, Jim Caviezel, suffered real physical injuries during its filming. He endured accidental lashings, suffered pneumonia, a lung infection, and had a dislocated shoulder. There are also reports that he suffered migraines in addition to being struck by Lightning. The dislocated shoulder was a result of the cross accidentally falling on him.
6. Jim Caviezel Had Problems Landing Other Roles after Filming The Passion of The Christ
Part of the reason why Mel Gibson struggled to convince anyone to help him fund the movie The Passion of the Christ is because it was deemed hugely controversial. Unfortunately, despite making millions in profit and becoming a worldwide sensation, Jim Caviezel struggles to land other roles. He was blackballed by Hollywood for playing Jesus.
This didn’t come as a surprise to Caviezel, though. According to the actor, Mel Gibson had tried to talk him out of the role moments after giving it to him. Gibson warned him that it would be hard to work in Hollywood after that.
Eventually, Caviezel was featured in “Person of Interest” TV show and later portrayed Tim Ballard in “Sound of Freedom.” Even so, Caviezel didn’t rise to become an A-list star in Hollywood.
7. The Film Uses Aramaic, Latin, and Hebrew Languages
In a bid to maintain authenticity, The Passion of the Christ was shot in Aramaic, Latin, and Hebrew, the ancient languages spoken during the time of Jesus. Subtitles were made for global audiences.
8. Was Once the Highest-Grossing R-rated Film
The Passion of the Christ is rated R because of the violence depicted throughout the movie. Despite being a religious film in ancient languages, it grossed over $612 million worldwide. This made it the highest-grossing R-rated film for several years.
9. It Equally Attracted Praise and Criticism
After releasing The Passion of the Christ, the film attracted praise and criticism in equal measure. Many churches booked entire theaters for congregations. This continued to grass-root levels, contributing to the film’s eventual box office success. Pope John Paul II reportedly said, “It was as it was” after watching the movie.
On the other hand, critics maintained that the film portrayed excessive violence and that it allegedly promoted anti-Semitic tropes. Mel Gibson denied the accusations and has maintained his stand over the years.
10. Mel Gibson Made a Subtle Appearance in the Film
If you have watched The Passion of the Christ, you might have noticed a hand drawing in the sand during Mary Magdalene’s flashback scene. Apparently, that was Mel Gibson’s hand.
11. Celentano Played Satan in the Film
Born in 1968, Rosalinda Celentano is an Italian actress famous for playing Satan in The Passion of the Christ. Her androgynous appearance added a unique and unsettling dimension to the role.
12. The Actress Who Played Mary, The Mother of Jesus, Was Pregnant During Filming
The role of Mary, the mother of Jesus, is played by Maia Morgenstern, a Romanian film and stage actress. During filming The Passion of the Christ, Morgenstern was pregnant, which she kept a secret and only revealed to Jim Caviezel later. This almost coincides with the biblical version of Mary, who was a virgin but got pregnant and struggled to reveal it to Joseph.
13. The Film Had a Spiritual Impact on its Cast and Crew
The film The Passion of the Christ impacted its cast and crew as much as it did to the general audience. For instance, Luca Lionello, the actor who played Judas Iscariot, was previously an atheist but converted to Christianity as filming continued. There are also reports of a Muslim technician working on the film converting to Christianity.
14. There Are Talks of an Upcoming Sequel
Credible sources reveal that Mel Gibson is working on a sequel titled The Resurrection of the Christ. It is thought the film will focus on the events surrounding the resurrection of Jesus in a non-linear narrative. There is also a possibility that the movie will have a sci-fi element, and Jim Caviezel is expected to reprise his role as Jesus of Nazareth.