Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ created a huge wave of controversy on its release in 2004. Some hailed it a religious classic, others were outraged by its graphic violence and accused Gibson of promoting antisemitism. The long-awaited sequel, focusing on Christ's journey through Hell during the three days before the Resurrection, will likely be just as divisive.

But just how much of the movie has its roots in the Gospels? In this brief but incisive critique, Helen Bond unpacks Gibson's version of this amazing story. Exploring the traditions behind the more esoteric elements, she cuts through the controversy to offer a more informed and nuanced understanding of both movies as well as what the first Christians really believed about Jesus and what happened to him after he was crucified.