I didn't say I enjoyed the Passion. However, in terms of it being a close to realistic portrayal of one of the more significant events in history it has to be right up there.
There's no Hollywood license taken with the crucifixion. The reality is that, whilst obviously distressing and brutal, the movie has held back from going all the way in portraying the crucifixion. The expression "to be thrashed within an inch of your life" comes from the Roman floggings and it means what it says. They'd leave an inch of flesh intact only.
In some ways it's a shame the movie didn't have more cut backs to Jesus' ministry years. I'm hoping there's more of that on the box set that's due to be released. However, in terms of showing the fulfillment of the Isaiah prophecy that the movie starts with, it does the job.
I know opinions on the movie are hugely divided. However I don't know how you could sit through watching what he goes through and decide one of two options:
1. He was mad (deluded); or
2. He was who he said he was.
I'm not sure you'd go through with that sort of thing (especially as he was given a get out clause several times) if you were lying or half hearted about it.