The Passion review – Jesus Christ turns superstar in live broadcast

Fox’s take on the story of the crucifixion comes live from New Orleans, with the aid of pop music and some inescapably campy production choices

For anyone who grew up in a Christian household, the story of the crucifixion is absolutely familiar. However, The Passion, Fox’s live retelling of that story with the help of pop stars and modern music, made it seem like the most confounding experience imaginable. The live TV show, whose format was first tried in the Netherlands, was a bizarre combination of live concert film, news report and the kind of DVD that a youth minister of a megachurch would play to try to make religion appeal to kids.