The Passion of the Mao (2006) User Reviews

light hearted look at mao the the revolution

[b2z2 · 7/10 · 15 July 2009]

I am no historian but this film is quite enjoyable. I think the story of Mao is a mixed bag. First, I just like to say that the people who think Mao killed millions of people and is on par with Hitler are seriously misinformed. I would for their sake advice not show off such a view to informed friends because they make fools out of themselves. Its like saying George W Bush is like Mussolini. Mao certainly had many personal flaws and made mistakes in leading a new nation. But on a personal level he was a charismatic leader and inspired a passionate following. In this aspect you can compare him to a Hitler but also to FDR or JFK or Jesus. I think the film points out that Mao is not some cunning evil mastermind slaughtering people for pure pleasure. Mao largely wanted to improve the country. I think personal attacks on Mao because of the political upheaval and the challenges of a new nation had to face is ridiculous. Though this movie have a bit of Pro-Mao bias I think it should be viewed as a counter weight to the overwhelming negative bias in the media today.

Shameful revisionism

[gring0 · 3/10 · 15 June 2009]

The man killed possibly 50 million people; a population the size of Canada in 3 years alone during the Great Leap Forward. Teachers in the city I am writing this, Peking, were tortured and murdered by the thousands amidst 10 years of chaos. But hey! At least they closed down schools and promoted mind-numbing Peking Opera and gave women the freedom to work like slaves like the men. And he let the Dalai Lama escape, after (neglecting to mention that Mao was the one who invaded Tibet and massacred countless numbers). Imagine mocking a humorous documentary about Stalin or Hitler! But because the millions of dead were only little yellow Chinamen, their deaths don't deserve consideration and Americans for whom this was made who know nothing about the history can enjoy the infantile animation and music. www.tracesofevil.blogspot.com

Very entertaining and insightful

[pat-514 · 9/10 · 29 June 2006]

China continues to grow as a major "player" in both the world economy and politics. In a very entertaining and provocative way, this film highlights the positive role Mao played in the development of China under his oft-controversial rule as well as how his decisions laid the groundwork for the China we know today. This film features great rare Russian archival footage mixed with interviews and crazy and fun animation. It creates a very lively overall pace to the film. All supported by the jovial, popular Chicago based comedian, Aaron Freeman. Due to the favorable light that the film squarely places Mao in, I also think THE PASSION OF THE MAO will generate heated debate over how history should regard him.

Revisionist bias outweighs the charm

[tallyhooo · 4/10 · 15 March 2009]

"The Passion of the Mao" starts out promisingly enough. Its cute cartoon scenes cause chuckles, and the overt comparison to Jesus is both a welcome mockery of Mel Gibson's film of a similar name and an indication that the subject matter will be treated lightheartedly. A little cheeky irreverence, especially with controversial topics, is always welcome. And yet the joking tone conceals some egregious conclusions. From Mao's victory in 1949 through to his death in 1976, this film would have you believe that everything is roses. Industrial output is up, agricultural output is up, life expectancy is up, education is up. Even famine and social unrest get a positive spin. That Mao was eccentric but harmless, and more importantly, blameless, is the byline. Numerous Chinese scholars at American universities are interviewed to that effect too, and viewers will have a fun time trying to spot a single negative word. "Westerners lapped up the idea that Chinese citizens in the 60s and 70s were victims," criticises one. Well, dear, that's because many of them were. And so it goes on. Finally, the filmmakers chose a narrator with abysmal Chinese pronunciation, and didn't include subtitles for some of their interviewees' whose English was a chore to follow. But as finishing touches on a flawed film, I suppose it's fitting.

Why can't all documentaries be like this?

[lingling-8 · 10/10 · 26 July 2006]

My father is from China. My whole life he's been lecturing me about the greatness of Chairman Mao. But the way my Dad explained Mao, it was boring. And who wants to be lectured about history by their father? Finally, Director Lee (who is not even Chinese) has told Mao's story in a funny irreverent way that is a gas to watch. He has told the story that Chinese like my father, who lived through the Cultural Revolution, have always wanted to tell. And he has told it in an American idiom that appeals both to Chinese and to Western audiences.

Mao is not the villain that my white liberal friends. who know a little about China but not too much, are always trying to make him out to be. Sure, Mao made mistakes, some very big ones as Feigon is very clear to note. And Mao's personal life was definitely kinky. My father never told me about this side of Chairman Mao's life. But in a way it made the old guy more human.

I had tears in my eyes towards the end of this film, though it's not at all a tear-jerker type film. Why can't all documentaries be like this? Why couldn't my father have told Mao's story like this?

A fan letter to a Genocidal Tyrant

[petejones81 · 1/10 · 14 February 2012]

This is the most repulsive, idiotic and absurd documentary I've ever seen. How many people starved to death under Kim-Jong Il, 2 or 3 million? Mao's policies led directly to the starvation of 18 to 48 MILLION! THIS IS NOT FUNNY! Even if you were trying to be funny about Mao the professor's "jokes" mostly take the form of infantile mockery of Chinese accents.

This is a fan letter from an idiot who for some reason has a job teaching somewhere. I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHERE!

Did you know Mao was in favor of democratic elections every 4 years? The professor takes Mao's statement of this totally at face value. Mao was a great democrat! Wow, where did I ever get the impression he wasn't? Maybe his entire history in power.

I don't know if I was more offended as a screenwriter, as an MA in Political Science. I think just as a human being. Hitler could only be so lucky to have a hagiographer as sycophantic, dishonest and immoral as the fool that made this.

Fun for the masses.

[njones75 · 9/10 · 27 July 2006]

History is a subject that I found boring as a youngster. Before watching this movie I felt decidedly ignorant of twentieth century Chinese history.

I highly recommend Feigon's documentary to anyone who has a desire to learn world history, tempered by an instinctive distaste for its traditional presentation. He livens up a comprehensive account of Mao's political life with various sordid details of his personal life. For example, I enjoyed learning that Chairman Mao did not brush his teeth.

In the first viewing, the amount of material covered made me feel somewhat overwhelmed, which is why I want to watch it a second time.

Great movie! Funny and informative. Controversial topic

[sunshine-cousin · 10/10 · 21 July 2006]

This was a great movie! Its style was unlike that of any documentary I have seen before. While most documentaries these days seem to feel that they can inform you by being deadly dull, maybe with an occasional joke thrown in, this one kept you in stitches almost throughout. Moreover, the laughs and the goofy style had a purpose. Director Lee Feigon was trying to restore Mao's reputation but also to attack the Chairman's deification. Feigon shows that Mao deserves credit for much of the growth for which his successors have taken credit. The goofy tone Feigon uses not only makes the movie go faster but does a great job in demolishing the myth that Mao was once a god. And so we find out some of the wackier even perverse elements of Mao's private life.