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with comments by David Bruce

THE PROTESTANT CHURCH AND VISUAL IMAGES
Newsletter 20
Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2000
From:Mike

Before I offer an opinion, I want to encourage you to keep up the great work you are doing. It's an awesome display of sensitivity to the culture. I teach adults at my church and often use movies in my illustrations - and it works!

I have been teaching a class about postmodernism and the Christian response (using a lot of Leonard Sweet's material/ideas). It's been frustrating but worthwhile. Suggesting that Christians should be sensitive to the culture in which we live is so difficult for many. They seem to equate that with compromising the fundamental truths of the gospel. It just doesn't sound "spiritual" to them. I've been approaching it using a box metaphor: Jesus is the content and everything else is the container - the point being that it is OK to change the container/box as long as we are true to the content - Jesus. My experience in the class has led me to conclude that we have a serious case of "container worship" going on. We are so in love with the container that we have lost touch with the content. In my class, I referenced the scene from Splash! where Tom Hanks gives Darryl Hannah a present. She oohs and ahhs over the beautiful box - but never thinks to look inside. He has to tell her that there's a present inside. The church is making the same mistake. We should always be willing to change our methods of communicating Christ - even becoming deliberate about it - in order to be more contextual.

Regarding why Christians seem to resist images: I think it is fundamentally caused by our modernistic upbringing. Sweet talks about how society is shifting from text-based to image-based. We also seem to resist engaging ALL the senses in our communication of the gospel. Somehow, it is considered less spiritual if you engage all the senses. The linear-thinking, modernistic approach has led to a very impersonal, "just the facts", "4 spiritual laws" approach to the gospel. Times are a-changing, though. I just hope that the church wakes up sooner rather than later or we risk becoming an irrelevant minority. Well, thanks for listening and God Bless you and your future efforts!

233/144=1.6180
Subject: Pi
Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2000
From: Richard

I thought your discussion of the movie Pi was pretty good for a Christian :). Anyways, I just wanted to point out that you had some of your facts wrong. In the movie he says that the *ratio* of 233 to 144 approaches the golden ratio, which is 1.6180... On your website you have 144 + 233=377; when instead it should be 233/144=1.6180. Here's a website you should check out, which even has a quote from Kepler about god's use of the golden ratio! /goldenratio.html

GODZILLA'S ANCESTOR
Subject: Rodan
Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2000
From: Petrie

I am wants to tell this to "Xan"!! Godzilla's ancestors is form TYRANNOSAURUS-REX!!! And I have a book of all of the Godzilla's monster movies. It's call THE OFFICIAL GODZILLA COMPENDIUM!! And it's publish by RANDON HOUSE!! It's have 143 pages long with words & lots of pitchers!! And I am a big Godzilla fan!! My childhood is the 1970's & on Saturday afternoon. I use to watch to on TV the Godziila's monster movies & other Japanese TV shows to. And the first thing that's comes in my mind about the nation of Japan is GODZILLA!!

In the book of the Godzilla on page 105 it's shows the skeleton of the new Godzilla to a the Tyrannosaurus-rex body. Godzilla is much much much bigger then the Tyrannosaurus-rex. By size Godzilla is the size of the Earth. And the Tyrannosaurus-rex is the size of the Earth's moon!! Godzilla is 40 times bigger the Tyrannosaurus-rex.

And on page 103 this show the skulls of Godzilla & Tyrannosaurus-rex looking the just the same!! Is show the size of the skull of Godzilla & Tyrannosaurus-rex at the same size by is not a the sames SCALE!!! But it's look the same. Godzilla's skull is round & short. And Tyrannosaurus-rex's skull is long & flat!! And if I do have a scanner? I will scanne page 105 of the book of the Godzilla & Tyrannosaurus-rex. To show "Xan" the ancestor of Godzilla is Tyrannosaurus-rex!!!

Sincerely By. Jeffery H. Marzi.
P.S. I wood like to have Xan's e.mailing address??
And I wood like to write to Xan DIRECTLY!!!!!!

PROTESTANTS AND VISUALS
Subject: Newsletter_20
Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2000
From: Martha Tischler

I know exactly what you mean. I currently head our church lending library-videos being my expertise. I have to draw from the so called secular world in order to have high quality movies available. They can highlight Christian values as well as church movies. Personally don't like the term secular-God is sovereign and his will is done where ever he chooses including "secular" movies.

The main reason I believe evangelical visuals are so poor is their historical roots. Check out Puritanism and the excesses of the Reformation and voila there's your answer. They likened visuals to Roman Catholicism which they hated with an unbiblical passion. During the Reformation they destroyed statues and other ornamentation in churches. This dislike overflowed into how they decorated their own churches-plain, plain, plain. They even split with the Anglican church over the use of crosses and other physical elements. Our American settlers, by and large, grew out or were influenced by this severe Puritanism and the love affair with plain but pious was birthed. They focused solely on the Word of God to the exclusion of the visual and I don't see it changing anytime soon. I can go into the Met in NY and have a religious experience viewing the great masterpieces in the medieval section, others just see painted idols-go figure. So as the country and world moves in the direction you have noticed we're left witnessing in an outmoded fashion.

David...Don't despair though-Christ is always in control and will work in their lives regardless of how inept we are. One of the lone rebels though is Worldwide Pictures. Billy Graham's film industry is putting out better and better films. And in the kid's realm-Veggietales is blazing new trails. As for everyday movie fare, let's leave it up to the Holy Spirit to put on film what he chooses. He obviously is putting His two cents in big time in recent films and I'm pretty sure most church people are oblivious to it. Remember how wonderful Amistad was? Well ,my church leaders pulled it from the library shelves because of the nudity. I'm still apalled-didn't they notice why the poor souls were unclothed? They are much too rigid. And this rigidity is something I never see in the Gospels. Jesus just hung out with people-mostly plain sinners, and he seemed to enjoy their company. I'm starting to understand why-less hypocrisy and I bet they made him smile.

Well, keep up the good work. Your reward will be great. And while you're still on earth you bring sanity into my life. Have a most merry Christmas and a blessed New Year. Who knows what The Lord has in store for his people but anything is possible.

In His Service...Martha Tischler

DOORMAN CALLS JACOB THE DOCTOR
Subject: My comments as to why the doorman calls Jacob The Doctor... Jacobs Ladder
Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2000
From: Chris

It is because Jacob IS the doctor (med student) who developed the drug that was tested on the soldiers. Ummm... No. Jacob died in Vietnam. The Doorman called Jacob "The Doctor," because he is a doctor, and served as a medic in Vietnam before getting killed. He was never a mailman.

As for him being the person who created "The Ladder": Why would he ingest the drugs himself, if he knew how evil they were? He was given the drugs without his knowledge, and killed in action by one of his own men.

Here's the key to understanding the movie: All scenes EXCEPT the Vietnam "flashbacks" (I put flashbacks in quotes, because they are perceived to be flashbacks, when they are actually real time scenes as he is fading in and out of reality) were only in his head, based upon real events that occurred in his life before he went to Vietnam. None of the events in the story are real... they are only based on Jacob's reality. For example, Jezzie becomes Jacob's live-in girlfriend in his death dream, when in reality she was probably just a girl that he worked with that he either fantasized about, or had an affair with before he left for Vietnam. Michael (the drug chemist that you think is Jacob) is simply another angel helping him understand and accept his death... appropiately named after an angel. Jezzie, on the other hand, is one of the demons that is trying to keep him there.

I suggest that you try to find a copy of the screenplay, which includes an entire section written by Bruce Joel Rubin about the creation of the story. The screenplay also contains deleted scenes that explain all of this, however, Mr. Rubin made the excellent decision of leaving it up to the audience to figure out. Most critics disagree, claiming that it made it too confusing for the general populous. I say good. We need more confusing movies.
Sincerely, Chris Addison

A LOVE STORY THAT BRIDGES TIME
Subject: 12 Monkeys
Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2000
From: Lowell Herlinger De Colores

WOW, Loved the Movie, it was also a Love Story that bridged time. Interesting, the Biblical reference is. I like it. Ever been on a Walk to Emmaus?, Tres Dias, Via De Cristos, Cursillos? Try it!.
Lowell Herlinger De Colores

BAG IN THE WIND
Subject: American_Beauty
Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2000
From: Shanna

I only discovered this site and watched this movie for the first time yesterday. I fell in love with both. I was left with a feeling of being so small, so lucky, and so beautiful. For me the most emotional and uplifting part of the movie was when Ricky was showing Jane the film of the bag "dancing" in the wind. The way I interpreted that was this. It shows us that while something might seem to be something small or un-important or un-interesting, that all it takes is another force or person, to make it meaningful, to give it life. This is what Ricky did for Jane. She was feeling alienated from her parents, she was fighting with her best friend and she was feeling despair and loneliness. Maybe just un-important. Then she finds in Ricky the soulmate that she so desperately needed. She only seemed truly happy when she w! as with him, like the previously lifeless bag that dances withbeauty in the wind.
Shanna

GREAT MESSAGE
Subject: Left Behind
Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2000
From: Vel Buford

My husband and I recently bought the movie "Left Behind". We also have purchased all 8 books of the Left Behind series that have been published so far. I believe they do have a great message to send out, to both Christians and non-Christians. My only regret with the movie is that it is not "closed caption". I am hearing impaired and have to use my closed caption on my television to "hear" (literally "read" every word that is said in a TV program or movie). With close to 4 million deaf and hearing impaired people in the United States alone, it is a shame we will not be able to watch this movie and read the dialog. Even though I had read the book, I was still not able to know exactly what was being said and by whom, as I watched the movie. Is it possible that it may be coming out with the closed caption at a later date? I would gladly repurchase it again if I knew I could get it in closed caption. Please help me pass this message on to the makers of the movie so they may consider adding the closed caption in the future.
Thank you, Vel Buford

MORE THAN RACISM
Subject: About more than Racism American History X
Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2000
From: Mike

American History X is a powerful movie that many need to see but many won't. While there are certainly the overt overtones of Racism explored in the movie I think it is about much more than that. The relationships between the two brothers in this film and their willingness to virtually stop loving each other is a wonderful example of how hatred destroys. Hatred not only destroys those attached by physical blood but it can destroy those attached in spiritual ways.

This film is wonderfully directed and acted. While many would discourage children from watching I believe that if done in the right way, with parental assistance the film can be a valuable educational tool to show our children how hate does destroy. Jesus came to save all, red, yellow, black white, rich, poor, thin, heavy, you get the point. He also called us to love others as he has loved us. We are in fact to be a evidence to others of that love. While we certainly have to sometimes suffer the natural consequences of our sin, just as Edward Norton does in this film, it is also refreshing to know that Christ forgives fully. Just as hate can be contagious, as depicted in the film, so can love. May we as a community of Christians never forget that, but better yet may we never stop showing others the love of Christ. Even those we don't understand. On a scale of 1 - 10, 8
Mike Furches Tulsa, OK
email - mike@furches.org homepage - homepages.infoseek.com/~furches/index.html

NEW GOLF RULES FROM THE USGA
Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2000
From: Jay

For all you duffers out there... USGA & the Royal and Ancient Rules Committee has announced a new rule that goes into effect immediately. If a player hits an errant shot, instead of the traditional "Fore", the player will be allowed to yell "Gore" while the ball is still in flight. He can then replace the ball in the same spot and hit it repeatedly until he is satisfied with the flight of his ball. The player may continue to yell "Gore" on each subsequent shot until the time the player can claim the hole.

COMIC BOOK CONVENTION
Subject: Newsletter_20
From: Steve Miller

"There was a Christian Comic Book Art Conference recently given at the Southern Baptist Golden Gate Seminary in California, only six people showed up. Why?" I would like to know more about this conference and if there will be another. Probably part of the reason for the low attendance is that people like me who would of gone did not know about it.
thanks, Steve Miller
antiochinteractive.com

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
Subject: Television
Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2000
From: Jessi Marie

I was wondering what you thought about television series whose storylines focus on the supernatural, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer or the WB's Charmed? I personally am not a huge fan of these shows, but I feel that they deserve some merit for their use of the supernatural as a metaphor for adolescence. However, soem Christians I know feel that shows such as these are innapropriate because they mention the occult. I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this genre. -Jessi Marie

COMMENTS
Subject: Replies Newsletter 20
Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2000
From: "Ray Neu"

"He believes that comics contain profound truth in exaggerated form."
EXAGGERATED --- THEREIN IS THE RPOBLEM FOR MOST PEOPLE - IT IS TOO FAR INTO FANSTASY TO BE CONSIDERED RELEVANT

"But no matter the name, are the world's most widely read and popular form of literature! Visual language is the language of the world."
YES - THERE ARE MILLIONS OF READERS AROUND THE WORLD, BUT NOT SO MUCH IN THE US - ASIA IS HUGE FOR THIS AND MOST ARE INFORMATIVE LITERATURE, MANY ARE GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS OR SCRIPTURE PORTIONS.

"But no matter the name, are the world's most widely read and popular form of literature! Visual language is the language of the world."
YES - THERE ARE MILLIONS OF READERS AROUND THE WORLD, BUT NOT SO MUCH IN THE US - ASIA IS HUGE FOR THIS AND MOST ARE INFORMATIVE LITERATURE, MANY ARE GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS OR SCRIPTURE PORTIONS.

"However, I was greatly disappointed when they arrived -all the pictures have been removed! Just the text remanins! Why?"
LICENSING AND MARKETING DECISIONS DRIVE MOST ALL OF THESE DECISIONS, (I KNOW THIS FROM TALKING TO THE SOURCE...) - NOT TO MENTION THAT MOST PUBLISHERS ARE OWNED BY NON BELIEVERS NOW

"There were Bibles and Hymnals. Lots of printed words. But no visuals. Why?"
THE LACK OF PICTURES IS OBVIOUSLY BECAUSE OF THE BACKLASH OF ICONISTIC WORSHIP WHCH IS STILL VERY PREVELANT IN MOST OF THE REST OF THE WORLD AND IS STILL DANGEROUS HERE, CONSIDER THAT MOST CHRISTIAN MUSIC SELLS WITH THE IMAGE OF THE ARTIST AS THE PRIMARY OR ONLY VISUAL OFFERED ON THE COVER...

"Less than 200 attended. Why?"
HAVING BEEN AT THE FIRST ONE WITH YOU (WE BOTH PRESENTED OUR WEB SITES, mine was a completely 3-D character based site for the younger generation... BUT I DID NOT ATTEND AGAIN) - THE OBVIOUS TAKE AWAY FORM THAT WAS THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT USE OF THE WEB FOR CHRISTIANS THERE - WAS JUST TO TALK TO EACH OTHER AND NOT TO EVANGELIZE...

"There was a Christian Comic Book Art Conference recently given at the Southern Baptist Golden Gate Seminary in California, only six people showed up.Why?"
COMICS ARE NOT THAT BIG IN THE US - I KNOW A GREAT MANY IN THE BIZ AND NONE OF THEM ARE MAKING ANY MONEY ON CHRISTIAN COMICS

"The City of Angels Film Festival failed to attract significant numbers of Evangelical Christians. Lots of Catholic Christians -however. Why?"
WHAT WAS OFFERRED THAT WOULD HAVE ATTRACTED THEM? MOST OF THESE ARE TOUTED AS VERY WORLDLY - OVERDRESSED OR UNDERDRESSED, AND SEVERELY LACKING IN FILMS THAT WE COULD COME CLOSE TO SUPPORTING (WHICH IS WHY WE LEAN ON YOUR SITE AND OTHERS TO TELL US WHAT TO AVOID OUT THERE! -- AS WELL AS WHAT MAY HAVE SOME REDEEMING VALUES)

"The number #1 best seller LEFT BEHIND was made into a motion picture by an Evangelical Christian Film Studio and it went straight to video -yes, that's right, straight to video! The production is low on visual and heavy in dialogue. Why?"
(The authors have filed law suits -can you guess why?) YOU FORGOT TO EXPLAIN THAT THEY ARE GOING TO THE THEATRES IN FEB.AND THAT THIS WAS THEIR INTENTIONAL DECISION TO GET CHRISTIANS TO SEE THE VIDEO FIRST AND THEN TAKE NOT-YET-BELIEVERS ALONG WITH THEM IN FEB

"I came away from the the movie UNBREAKABLE feeling sad for the Church that I love so much. I felt sad because we live in a very visual world."
THE VISUAL CHRISTIANS ARE OUT HERE - AND TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE- I.E. VEGGIE TALES FOR KIDS, ETC...THE FEW CHRISTIAN COMIC BOOK CREATORS WHO ARE STILL PAYING FOR THEIR OWN WORK AND HOPING IT WILL CATCH ON --(THEY NEED TO EXPORT TO OTHER COUNTRIES!)..THE GROWING NUMBER OF BRAVE SOULS THAT ARE BREAKING INTO THE CHRISTIAN SOFTWARE ARENA ---DON'T COUNT US OUT YET!! Ray Neu Antioch Interactive www.antiochinteractive.com
Creators of a 3-D Virtual Tour through The Tabernacle, now on video.

GOD CAN USE IT
Subject: Inaccurate, but God can use it Jesus Mini Series
Date: Sun, 17 Dec 2000
From: The Travis Family

I saw most of the miniseries, and really didn't know what I thought of it. I "shelved" it in my mind for a long time, but I found this website and reading the comments of others really helped cement in my own mind what I think. When I saw it, I found it both disturbing and thought-provoking. Jesus was shown as much more human and believable than He was in Jesus of Nazareth, but there were things that bothered me, especially the part with John the Baptist where Jesus is asked to repent. That was in no way a minor inaccuracy. I read on your site that there was a final part that was edited out which depicted children from all over the world running to Jesus, then dressed in modern clothes. You said it was edited out because the network thought it would offend some Christians. I don't see, at least from your description, what could be so bad about that. Why did they edit that out but leave in the other, which was truly offensive?

I can sympathize with those who have pointed out the inaccuracies. Who Jesus is, and all that He is, is so dear to Christians that some of us cannot help but want to point out the truth. Others have called us "holier than thou," "fundamentalists" (as though it were a bad thing to believe the Bible), and other names for doing so, but it is a love for the real Jesus that compels us to do it. But I also agree with the two people who pointed out Philippians 1:15-18 where Paul states that he will rejoice that Christ is preached, even if the one doing the preaching doesn't have pure motives for doing so. The Name of Jesus was put out to people who may have never paid attention to Him before. Jesus Himself said "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him," (John 6:44a NKJV). If God is drawing someone who does not yet know Jesus, and that person sees this movie, then their interest will be piqued and they will be likely to check out the real story in the Bible. I think people generally know that Hollywood isn't going to tell the story truly accurately. I admit this is an optimistic view, but the comments I've read show that at least one person has come to the real Jesus after watching this mini-series. Jesus also said, "All that the Father gives me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out" (John 6:37). It is very conceivable that a person will watch this movie and decide he wants to get to know the real Jesus, even though the film does have problems, not all of which are minor. If God is already calling that person, He can certainly use this film, which does in some measure tell His story. And He won't have a problem with them for not coming through a traditional route. I don't think the film has a lot of use for people who are already Christians, nor do I really recommend it as an evangelistic tool. But people have seen it and will see it, and I believe God can use it to bring glory to Himself dispite the wrong that is in it.
Please don't post my email address.
Annie

GOSPEL OF THOMAS
Subject: Stigmata
Date: Sun, 17 Dec 2000
From: DMB FREAK

i have a question about the "Gospels of Thomas." Aparently they are real as you said in your movie, but are they open to the reading of the public? if so can you tell me where i might find a copy.

HELLRAISER
Subject: Hellraiser: Inferno
Date: Sat, 16 Dec 2000
From: Mondo

I have a suggestion for you -- check out the DVD for "Hellraiser: Inferno" which was released in October. The writer/director is a Christian and it shows! The movie is a very compelling vision of sin and damnation that incorporates a very theologically solid point of view. The word should get out that this film is not to be missed. It's very graphic, but then again, if there really is a hell, I'm sure that's it's pretty graphic too...
Check it out. It's really good. Mel

Dear David, I love your website, and access it on an almost daily basis. It's so nice to find a Christian who is open to spirituality in the real world, and not trying to shut the world out. I would be very interested in your thoughts on a film I notice is not in y our files. It is called "Heavenly Creatures." It was released in 1994, and stars Kate Winslet and Melenie Lynsky. I understand that you are a busy man, but I would seriously recommend that your rent and watch this film. I think you would enjoy it immensly.
Thanks for your time, Jeri Peters

THE SHOES
Subject: Mystery shot in DA Devils_Advocate
Date: Sat, 16 Dec 2000
From: Darklock

Found this on your Devil's Advocate page. (I *love* this site!)

"kevin looks at al, who is standing at the edge of the fall with his back to kevin, from top to bottom; specially his shoes. what's this shot telling."

The shot of his shoes is not to show the shoes themselves, but to show how close he is to the edge and how slick the stone at his feet is. If you've ever been at the top of a New York skyscraper, you know what the winds are like up there. You also know that when the wind gusts, it rocks the entire building. Bluntly, NOBODY in his right mind would EVER stand that close to the edge of that roof unless he had a death wish -- and Al stands there without the slightest evidence of fear or concern, a subtle but compelling display of power.

THOUGHT PROVOKING
Subject: Thought provoking. Prophecy
Date: Sat, 16 Dec 2000
From: Angels Cry

My name is Brett, I'm a Roman Catholic (oh shush) and certified theology buff. While I find the mechanics of this movie to leave something to be desired it certainly does provoke thought. For me it was the scene in which Thomas asks the question "Would you ever really want to -see- and angel?". It speaks volumes about what angels may or may not be like. Would they really spite us our souls? Could there really be forces alligned against humans in such a way? I cannot say that I share the view of it being 'blasphemous'. I do agree that it goes against a few of the fibers that we as christians have had sewn into us though. Insofar as its follow ups, they fall under the catagory that most sequels do for me...inadequate. Just a few thoughts...

A KICK IN THE PANTS
Subject: A Kick in the Pants! STIGMATA
Date: Sat, 16 Dec 2000
From: Helena Sullivan skutter8@hotmail.com

Dear all,
This film is a good kick in the behind to lukewarm Christians who plod along thinking that all they have to do is turn up at their local Church building once a week! There is more, so much more to God. He is our living, supernatural, omnipotent God! May seeing this film remind us ALL that whatever our 'Christian Routine' is, be it Mass on Sunday, or a string of House Group and Prayer Meetings, Outreach or whatever, we can all get bogged down and start to forget the real nitty gritty.

We can start but ceasing to pick at each others' belief systems. Christian unity? Let me tell you something- we are ALREADY united- we have ONE Saviour and ONE MUTUAL enemy. And he must laugh himself drunk when he sees us all picking holes in each other. When St Paul described the armour of faith, he didn't mention any protection for the back- so we'll be better off not facing inwards toward each other, and instead stand together as believers in Christ, facing the enemy head on. God didn't make just one flower, He made many. He didn't make just one bird, He made many. And He didn't make each human being to have exactly the same personality- different people need different ways of expressing their love, worship and praise of God. Hence we have many different 'branches' of Christianity; different branches on one vine. Maybe Paul described no armour for the back because we are meant to stand back to back; i.e. if we cannot stand side by side, maybe we should find a way to use this for the good.

As a Catholic, and despite my Church's history of building shrines over the sites of miracles, I am constantly confounded at how so many Christians, including Catholics, do not believe in the supernatural nature of God. We say that we believe that Christ healed the lame, and even raised Lazarus from the dead. But He also said that we would do likewise, and even do greater things too. How many of us believe that part? God's word is eternal. God's power is eternal.

There are many recorded cases of stigmata- look up Therese Neumann or Padre Pio on the net if you want to know more on this.

As to the Gospel of Thomas- well, it isn't a Gospel in the sense of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, just a collection of sayings. Many of them are already in the four Gospels that we have. Then there are some others, like the one about splitting a piece of wood...which shrieks of pantheism if expanded on too far. For a copy, try "The Secret Teachings of Jesus" by the translater Marvin W Meyer. The ISBN is 0-394-74433-0 and it retails at $10. UK residents can get it from Amazon.co.uk for about £8.

Elaine Pagels wrote a very good volume on this and other scrolls found at Nag Hammadi. The Gospel of Thomas is widely available, not restricted. But it is seen as heretical because it is one of a collection of Gnostic writings.

OK back to the film (!) - I thought Gabriel Byrne was brilliant in it, and almost made up for the dreadful 'End of Days' which he must have signed up for whilst under the influence of something or other....! A lot of poetic licence taken, and I found some of the images even amusing- like the one at the end, with Frankie (oh look, 'Frances' like in 'Francis' of Asissi...) draped with a sheet and carrying a dove, walking amid similarly attired statues! I think the woman with the baby might have been thrown in because stigmatics usually experience visions of Mary as well as visions of Christ.

All in all, a gripping film. But I didn't agree with the advertising caption "It'll scare the Hell into you"- I didn't think it was at all scary.

Helena Sullivan. Isle of Sheppey, England, UK Give email if you like; OK by me!

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