FLASHBACK: Networks Excoriated ‘The Passion of the Christ’ as Inflammatory, Anti-Semitic

[See NewsBusters for more.] As Christians around the globe prepare to celebrate Easter on Sunday, some will choose to rewatch Mel Gibson’s film The Passion of the Christ. The movie, which came out 18 years ago on February 25, 2004, was a massive hit. It skyrocketed to a worldwide gross of $611 million. But to the journalists and hosts on ABC, CBS and NBC, it was a project to approach with skepticism and alarm.