The Passion of the Christ

'Neal King knows more about the making, marketing and reception of The Passion of the Christ than anyone else. He gives us an elegant and perceptive analysis of the controversies that surrounded Gibson's film and a sociological portrait of their origins in the competing objectives of polarized groups. King's book is an essential source on the making and meaning of a film that has been both celebrated and condemned.' - Stephen Prince, author of Firestorm: American Film in the Age of Terrorism 'This book is a means to reignite interest in the film and inspire debate surrounding it. Neal's resurrection of the film may help it take its rightful place in cinematic history.' - Lauren Felton, Filmwerk

A study of controversies over The Passion of the Christ that shows how conservative Christians united in support of Mel Gibson and in opposition to liberal, secular and Jewish critics.A study of controversies over The Passion of the Christ that shows how conservative Christians united in support of Mel Gibson and in opposition to liberal, secular and Jewish critics. King explores how the public battle in the USA over the editing and rating of this film generated more controversy than any other in recent cinematic history.