I find this version of Jesus’ passion and death to be the most moving of any I’ve seen depicted on film. But it is available for rent or purchase on Amazon streaming, or on DVD. (also available on DVD from Netflix or hereĢ017 Update: The Passion of the Christ is no longer available on Netflix. I can’t handle watching it every year, but our oldest is nearly thirteen, and I think we might watch it with him this Good Friday, after the other kids have gone to bed.
As it should be, right? But this movie isn’t for everyone, and it isn’t for young children. It’s beautifully done, but very raw and painful to watch. I’m probably not going to tell you anything you don’t already know about this movie.
I like this version a lot, because of the way they use the actual text of the Bible, which I think is important for us to be familiar with, but I think The Bible (above) is a good Netflix alternative. (available exclusively on Netflix streaming)Ģ017 Update: It’s no longer available on Netflix, but is available to rent or buy from Amazon streaming or on DVD. I would feel comfortable showing it to even my little kids. The depiction of Jesus’ passion is pretty restrained, all things considered (no whips are shown cutting in to his skin, we don’t see the nails go in), but we do see Jesus’ bloodied body, and his crucifixion. Or, if you don’t have that much time, you can start at about 1:30 in, and watch beginning on Palm Sunday. The entire movie is two hours and forty minutes, which might be a good way to spend the hours of noon to three pm on Good Friday. This is a narration of the complete text of the Gospel of John, over the background of a very impressive visual representation of all of the events of the gospel. The Bible is also available on Amazon streaming to rent or buy, or as a DVD. It may be too intense for sensitive kids. I plan to show these two episodes to all my kids, even the little ones, over the course of the week. We see the nail, we see the hammer, but the camera cuts away before the nail is struck.
Jesus is bloody and battered as he carries His cross, but the focus is on His strength and perseverance, and the help He receives from Simon of Cyrene and Jesus’ mother Mary. There is dripping blood at the crowing with thorns, but we don’t see the thorns going in. At the scourging at the pillar, we see the red marks, but no ripping of flesh. The focus of the camera is mostly on Jesus’ pained reaction, or the horror of the crowd. The depiction of Jesus’ passion is not as bloody as in The Passion of the Christ. Especially episodes 8 and 9 of The Bible, which begins with Palm Sunday and ends with the crucifixion. I think either would be a good addition to a family’s Holy Week.