We saw the movie when it first came out. Everyone was making a big deal about how gorey it was, but actually it was mild compared to the real thing. If you read the prophecy in Isaiah 52:-13-14, it says His appearance was disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyong human likeness. In view of that statement from the Bible, it is obvious that He was in worse shape than the movie depicted.
That was the first time I had ever been to the theater (packed with people) and NOT ONE PERSON got up to leave when the movie was over. Complete silence, no rush for the door. My husband broke down and cried, and then I cried too. I remember when they were beating Jesus and the flesh was being ripped from Him, my lower legs started cramping horribly. I looked down and I was pressing my feet so hard against the seat in front of me, trying to subconsciously back away from the brutality, that I lost the feeling in my feet.
You hear it all the time...."Jesus died for us." But the impact doesn't hit home, until you realize HOW He died for us.
My husband had a step-father that was very abusive. He died from cancer a few years before the movie came out. There was always a bitterness there. Our pastor asked how many people seen the Passion movie. Nearly everyone, except children, of course. Then he asked us to envision the person we felt wronged us the most. He said, "Jesus went through that for them too." My husband forgave his step-father. He even put flowers on his grave.
It's true, forgiveness sets a person free. And it is the person who is doing the forgiving!