"The Passion of the Christ" - Final Summer Film

Last night, a biblical number of persons gathered for a viewing of "The Passion of the Christ" at First United Lutheran Church. It was our final Summer film.
Seven of us watched the graphic account of those last hours of Jesus life on earth. Seven of us watched through the closing that hinted at the power of the Easter resurrection and the new world possible. The movie itself almost drenches the viewer in blood and suffering. We asked whether all that was necessary. Apparently it was necessary for Jesus to suffer, die, and be buried. Is it enough for us to affirm that in our statement of beliefs every Sunday or do we need Hollywood to portray it graphically? The audience was mixed in opinion, but thankful that Christ went through the Passion and introduced the Resurrection!