Legendary and sometimes infamous superstar Mel Gibson is in the spotlight with his new project Maccabee, currently in development with Basic Instinct writer Joe Eszterhas. The Anti-Defamation League has condemned Gibson for his involvement, due to having made remarks that are racist and anti-semitic in a drunken state.
As a filmmaker and a Jew I want this story to be told. While I certainly don't condone Gibson's behavior in his personal life, I think it is irrelevant to his professional body of work, which includes one of my all time favorite films, Braveheart.
I've heard people say Steven Spielberg should be the one making this movie, being that the is among the most respected Jewish filmmakers in Hollywood. I have this question for those who are thinking that: Have you seen Saving Private Ryan? Scheindler's List? and Munich?
Munich may have been made by Jews and feature Jewish protagonists, but it was a slow-paced film that had an arguably anti-Israel message. It is no wonder that the film cost $75 Million to make and made only $47 Million at the US Box Office. Is Spielberg an epic filmmaker? No. Is Gibosn? Yes.
When you think of the setting of the story of Chanukah in ancient Greek times do you see a Braveheart kind of story or a Schindler's list story about victims. Judah Maccabee was a hero much like William Wallace who fought for his own freedom in battle and was killed doing so. He was not a Holocaust victim nor a diplomatic hero.
Gibson knows how to tell a story of good guys and bad guys. Given the way the character of Longshanks was portrayed by the most underrated actor, Patrick McGoohan, in Braveheart, I can see no reason why Maccabee couldn't be a film of as much value. Braveheart was a smash hit grossing over$200 Million worldwide and gaining the utmost prestigious award of best picture in 1995.
I urge old Braveheart fans to cheer for this movie and not think about Gibson's religious beliefs, but focus on how my people are portrayed in the film when they see it. I remember the story of Antiochus and Judah's revolt against him and the oil that burned for 8 days and can envision James Horner creating a compelling Jewish score for the film. When you hear the scottish appeal of Braveheart, despite Gibson being Australian, it is obvious that Gibson can adapt and go for the epic appeal that exists in only a few films, including Ridley Scott's Gladiator and Wolfgang Peterson's Troy. Mel Gibson is one of the few EPIC filmmakers of this caliber.
Let's hear some more people cry out for FREEDOM.
