Brand new factory sealed vhs tape is in Aramaic, Latin, and Hebrew with English subtitles. The full frame picture is also good for old school televisions as the image will fill your square screen. No pesky menus to navigate with this pop-n-go video and the sound has more gusto than its digital counterpart. Calling Gibson's record-breaking, graphic version of the last 12 hours in the life of Jesus Christ "controversial" is an understatement on par with calling the Sahara desert "warm". Film begins as Jesus (Jim Caviezel) is arrested and taken before Hebrew and Roman authorities for crimes of heresy. Although some backstory is told in flashback, the movie assumes the viewers knowledge of Jesus's life and focuses on giving as graphic a portrayal of his torture and crucifixion as possible. The Middle East in biblical times was a Jewish community occupied against its will by the Roman Empire, and the message of Jesus was equally threatening to both sides--to the Romans, because he was a revolutionary, and to the establishment of Jewish priests because he preached a new covenant and threatened the status quo. He was a Jew who tried no less than to replace the established religion and set himself up as the Messiah. The Jews who seem to desire Jesus' death are in the priesthood, and have political as well as theological reasons for acting; like today's Catholic bishops who were slow to condemn abusive priests, Protestant TV preachers who confuse religion with politics, or Muslim clerics who are silent on terrorism, they have an investment in their positions and authority. You must be prepared for whippings, flayings, beatings, the crunch of bones, the agony of screams, the cruelty of the sadistic centurions, the rivulets of blood that crisscross every inch of Jesus' body that goes on for at least 45 minutes. If ever there was a film with the correct title its this one. Although the word passion has become mixed up with romance, its Latin origins refer to suffering and pain. The other Jews seen in the film are viewed positively; Simon helps Jesus to carry the cross, Veronica brings a cloth to wipe his face, Jews in the crowd cry out against his torture. There are many characters with many motives, some good, some not, each one representing himself, none representing his religion. PASSION of the CHRIST depends upon these theological considerations more than any other film. The libel that the Jews "killed Christ" involves a willfill misreading of testament and teaching: Jesus was made a man and came to Earth in order to suffer and die in reperation for our sins. No race, no religion, no man, no priest, no governor, no executioner killed Jesus; he died by God's will to fulfill his purpose, and with our sins we all killed him.