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Mavdog · 03-26-2004, 01:12 PM

Mel Gibson: Hanukkah tale next?

Director of 'The Passion of Christ' admits fascination with heroism of the Maccabees.
March 18, 2004: 5:51 PM EST

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Mel Gibson, whose hit film "The Passion of the Christ" was attacked as anti-Semitic by some critics, says he is now intrigued by the revolt of the Maccabees, the story behind the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.

The Passion: Controversial blockbuster
"The story that's always fired my imagination ... is the Book of Maccabees," the actor and director told ABC Radio talk show host Sean Hannity on Tuesday.

"The Maccabees family stood up, and they made war. They stuck by their guns and they came out winning," he said. "It's like a Western."

The Maccabees led a three-year war, some 200 years before the birth of Jesus, against Antiochus, a king who forced the Jews to worship false gods. The war led to the liberation of Jerusalem and rededication of the Temple that is celebrated in the Hanukkah holiday.

Gibson's "The Passion," which depicts the last hours of the life of Jesus, has been a huge box office hit, making $264 million since its Feb. 25 opening.

But several critics and religious leaders have blasted the film, saying Gibson made an unflattering portrayal of Jews and blamed them in the movie for the crucifixion of Christ.

Gibson did not say he was planning another biblical film. But Anti-Defamation League national director Abe Foxman was not pleased with Gibson's interest in Jewish history.

"My answer would be 'thanks but no thanks,"' Foxman said on Wednesday. "The last thing we need in Jewish history is to convert our history into a Western."

"In his hands we may wind up losing," he joked.

03-26-2004, 01:12 PM	#17
Mavdog Diamond Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 6,014	RE:Comments about the Passions of the Christ! Mel Gibson: Hanukkah tale next? Director of 'The Passion of Christ' admits fascination with heroism of the Maccabees. March 18, 2004: 5:51 PM EST NEW YORK (Reuters) - Mel Gibson, whose hit film "The Passion of the Christ" was attacked as anti-Semitic by some critics, says he is now intrigued by the revolt of the Maccabees, the story behind the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The Passion: Controversial blockbuster "The story that's always fired my imagination ... is the Book of Maccabees," the actor and director told ABC Radio talk show host Sean Hannity on Tuesday. "The Maccabees family stood up, and they made war. They stuck by their guns and they came out winning," he said. "It's like a Western." The Maccabees led a three-year war, some 200 years before the birth of Jesus, against Antiochus, a king who forced the Jews to worship false gods. The war led to the liberation of Jerusalem and rededication of the Temple that is celebrated in the Hanukkah holiday. Gibson's "The Passion," which depicts the last hours of the life of Jesus, has been a huge box office hit, making $264 million since its Feb. 25 opening. But several critics and religious leaders have blasted the film, saying Gibson made an unflattering portrayal of Jews and blamed them in the movie for the crucifixion of Christ. Gibson did not say he was planning another biblical film. But Anti-Defamation League national director Abe Foxman was not pleased with Gibson's interest in Jewish history. "My answer would be 'thanks but no thanks,"' Foxman said on Wednesday. "The last thing we need in Jewish history is to convert our history into a Western." "In his hands we may wind up losing," he joked.