> I hear that Gibson's film is soft on the empire and tough on the
> "mob" and the national elite. It's a fitting blockbuster for the New
> American Century.
Being familiar with Gibson's "philosophies", I have no intention of seeing this movie.
Anyway, I'm no expert on the history of Roman Palestine, but --- from my Sunday school days --- I recall that the various Gospels are also "soft" on the Romans, i.e. Pontius Pilate is portrayed as sympathetic to Jesus, but also weak and beholden to the local ruling class. I think it is well-known that the Roman garrison was small in number at the time(?) So perhaps the real historical context of the story is useful to the neo-cons?
(BTW I think one of the best portrayals of Pilate -- and I've seen many --- was David Bowie, the decadent colonial figure in _The Last Temptation of Christ_.)
regards,
Grant.