Synopsis

Set during the final hours of Jesus of Nazareth's life, the film follows his arrest in Gethsemane, interrogation, condemnation, scourging, and crucifixion in Jerusalem. Flashbacks to his teachings, childhood, and relationship with his mother provide context for the ordeal. The story concludes with a brief depiction of the Resurrection.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film was shot in Italy, using Cinecitta Studios in Rome and locations in Matera and Craco for its ancient Jerusalem settings.

• Dialogue is spoken primarily in reconstructed Aramaic and Latin, with subtitles rather than modern English. The language choice was intended to strengthen the period atmosphere.

• The independently produced film had a reported budget of about $30 million and became a major commercial success, earning more than $610 million worldwide.

• Production involved several serious accidents. Jim Caviezel suffered a shoulder separation when the cross struck him, and he was accidentally whipped during the scourging sequence.

• The film's graphic violence and its treatment of responsibility for Jesus' death prompted extensive debate about anti-Semitic implications before and after release.

• At the 77th Academy Awards, the film received nominations for cinematography, makeup, and original score.

• The title changed several times during production. It was initially known as "The Passion" before becoming "The Passion of Christ" and finally "The Passion of the Christ".