Box office record-breaking ‘masterpiece’ is leaving Netflix very soon | Films | Entertainment

Back in 2004, Mel Gibson released his $30 million independent film, The Passion of the Christ.

The highly ambitious biblical epic stars Jim Caviezel as Jesus of Nazareth during his arrest, trial and crucifixion as described in the four Biblical gospels.

Shot in Aramaic, Hebrew and Latin, Gibson initially was against the film being subtitled.

The Passion of the Christ is well-known for the extremely violent depiction of the torturous execution of Jesus, who Christians believe to be God incarnate, come to die for the sins of the world.

Controversial at the time of release, some claimed the film was antisemitic, while others hailed it as a masterpiece and a powerful religious experience.

The Passion of the Christ made over $612 million worldwide on its $30 million budget, breaking box office records. It remains the highest-grossing independent film ever made and was the biggest R-rated movie in the US for 20 years. Gibson is currently working on two back-to-back sequels with a new cast, set to release in cinemas around Easter next year, The Resurrection of the Christ Parts 1 and 2.

The final day to watch The Passion of the Christ on Netflix UK is April 14.