Woman Dies After Collapsing At 'Passion' Screening
Autopsy Scheduled For Thursday
POSTED: 11:22 pm EST February 25,
2004
UPDATED: 1:39 pm EST February 26,
2004
A 57-year-old Kansas woman died after she collapsed during a morning viewing of "The Passion of The Christ" at a Wichita theater early Wednesday.
According to the Wichita Eagle online, Peggy Law Scott was with co-workers at the Warren theaters 9:30 a.m. screening of the film.The publication said Scott collapsed during the last 20 minutes of the film and was transported to the hospital after two physicians tried to revive her. The paper said it was unclear whether the woman died at the theater or the hospital.
Wichita's KAKE-TV -- which was filing a report on local reactions to the film -- reported that Scott (pictured, left)collapsed during the film's bloody crucifixion scene.Directed by actor Mel Gibson, "The Passion of The Christ" is a brutal depiction of the final 12 hours of the life of Jesus Christ. The film has come under criticism from some Jewish leaders who fear that it will fan the flames of anti-Semitism. Christian leaders have for the most part praised it.
Compounding the controversy is the graphic violence of the film, which includes gory scenes of the scourging and crucifixion of Jesus. Gibson has not denied that his film contains graphic violence, which has been rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America's ratings board."I wanted it to be shocking," Gibson told ABC's Diane Sawyer in a recent interview about the film. "And I also wanted it to be extreme. I wanted it to push the viewer over the edge, so that they see the enormity -- the enormity of that sacrifice -- to see that someone could endure that and still come back with love and forgiveness, even through extreme pain and suffering and ridicule."Scott was an employee of the Clear Channel Network and was a general sales manager for two radio stations in Wichita, according to the Eagle. An autopsy will be conducted Thursday, according to the Sedgwick County cororner's office.
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Woman Dies At 'Passion' Previous Stories:
- February 25, 2004: Controversial 'Passion' Greeted By Long Lines
- February 24, 2004: Groups Offer Lawmakers Free Tickets To 'Passion'
- February 20, 2004: 'Passion' Strife Swells With Gibson's Dad's Holocaust Dispute
- February 19, 2004: ADL Asks Vatican For Help In 'Passion' Debate
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