Comparison of 'The Passion of the Christ' vs 'The Exorcist', emotional impacts.

Both the films ‘The Passion of the Christ’ and ‘The Exorcist’ are disturbing films but in different ways. They both centre around religious issues that are very controversial for instance ‘TPOC’ is centred around Jesus’ death on the cross. Mel Gibson directs the film so that we truly understand the pain that Jesus went through by using relentless graphic violence throughout the film. This shocked many people and it was praised by some as it gave us a deeper understanding of the bible story we are told. The crown of thorns meant little until you saw it forced on to his head making blood run. The violence is really highlighted in the scourging scene, where it is shown to be carefully organised with weapons lined up and set out on a table. There is so much blood which is understandable when we see flesh being ripped from Jesus’ body. Not only are people watching as a form of entertainment, they are enjoying the torment.

‘The Exorcist’ is graphic but in a different way, the emphasis being that it is a young girl being made to do sexual and violent things such as swearing and the masturbation of a cross. Her face also becomes deformed throughout the film with her lips cracking and wounds appearing on her face. She is also physically sick but it appears to be a green mucus concoction.

Both films emphasis a lack of control for the main characters, Jesus cannot control what the people are doing to him but he doesn’t get angry with then and remains calm and quiet. This is perhaps the most shocking aspect of ‘TPOC’. During ‘The Exorcist’ Regain has no control over the Devil possessing her and making her do immoral things. Her mother also appears helpless as she is on her own and no one can give her answers for her daughter’s ‘problem’. Mary, Jesus’ mother, is also shown as helpless to help her son. This is emphasised by a flash back of her picking him up when he was younger because he had fallen. She knows she cannot help her son and trusts him to God’s hands.

Regain’s mother, however, admits to not being very religious and only turns to it as a last resort but the priest also appears to have no control over the Devil who manipulates Priest Damien by impersonating his dead mother who he feels guilty for. This applies also in ‘TPOC’ where religious figures also have little power over the Devil. Jesus ignores it (we do not know and it is not made clear whether the Devil is male or female) but Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, succumbs to the demons and eventually hangs himself. The involvement of the Devil in both films is a shock factor as people may not believe (fully) in God but most do have a fear for the devil as it is shown to be the most evil and frightening thing in any culture.

Both films are also shocking due to their director’s decisions. William H Friedkin, the director of ‘The Exorcist’, physically made the actors do stunts for instance in one scene Regain is flinging backwards and forwards on the bed screaming “It hurts, make it stop!” The actress was actually screaming because it really did hurt but the director thought it was good footage so kept it in. In ‘TPOC’, Mel Gibson chose to show one of the rulers to be passionate and kind but many people disagreed with this interpretation as he is usually portrayed as a harsh and unfair man.

The films are also disturbing towards our emotions in different ways for instance Mel Gibson wants us to feel shock, sympathy, empathy, disgust, guilt etc while William H Friedkin wanted us to feel shock, disgust, fear etc. However, this is an emotional response from today. When the film ‘The Exorcist’ was first released, it was seen to be much more shocking with many people being physically sick. Due to the development within the film industry, making it easier to distribute and watch films as well as the vast increase in this particular genre, it has made it a common occurrence to see such things on the screens. However as I have already stated there are still aspects that shock today’s audiences.

The mis-en-scene is important in both films for instance in ‘The Exorcist’, Regain’s room gets emptier as the Devil gains more control and the journey to her room becomes longer, this builds the tension within the audience and creates foreboding as the more control the Devil gains the lower the chance of getting rid of it. In ‘TPOC’ many items trigger flashbacks to Jesus’ past for instance some table and chairs. This invokes and strengthens different emotions within the audience and plot line throughout both films. The mis-en-scene creates a confirmation of what the audience feels about what is happening on set.

In conclusion both films will never be equally disturbing as they are targeting different emotions but by using similar issues. It also depends on the persons own beliefs as well as time and period that the films were viewed. They are, however, both disturbing films. This is evoked in similar ways, for instance, visual effects, the lack of control, the involvement of the Devil and backgrounds during the making of the films but also vary in different ways, for instance, Jesus is a well known figure and so is his story, especially the period presented in the film ‘TPOC’. It is also very bloody and Jesus’ suffering is also shown to be enjoyed. ‘The Exorcist’ is trying to keep the situation controlled and contained with more visual representations, such as, the stairs in which Brook (a director) and Priest Damien die could represent and symbolise the stairway to hell as they are very steep and narrow, and the camera work is always carefully positioned with high or low shots. 

‘The Exorcist’ also emphasises the innocence of Regain and the unfairness of her possession. Unfairness is also a key theme throughout both the films.

Therefore both films are equally disturbing in their own way due to story line and directors intentions. 

Comments welcome on whether you disagree or agree! Also would love to know you believe its wrong for Christians to view 'The Passion of the Christ' as I have had mixed responses and am interested in why some are willing to watch it or why others refuse.