Ave and happy new year to all members,
I think that idea that "sensible" students of Theology may be frightened or shocked by the horrific brutality of the crucifixion is pretty absurd. Maybe its this phenomenon which is actually coming from the United States.
But when I was young and went to university (admitted, that was long ago, in the 80ies) there was only one movie which had "remarkable" influence on the way how we look on the Jesus figure, his death and the ancient world he lived in and that was Monty Pythons LIFE OF BRIAN.
I had friends , which were students of Theology and thought LIFE OF BRIAN was the most "realistic" approach to understanding Jesus in its way how the political, social and psychological interferences and effects in ancient occupied Palestine created the "Messiah"-story, not in the humorous and "blasphemic" way how its told in the movie, of course, but the movie has a far more serious background in its "social commentary" that you may not see on the "funny" surface. At the same time the 80ies were a high time of all that horror and slasher stuff where blood and gore was requested, the more the better.
The fixation on the "Cross" as a torture instrument in our "special interest" and its use to display the "beauty of agony" in hanging bodies (male of female, depending on preference) is obviously a result of the execution of the supposed founder of christian religion being portrayed permanently in art and tradition in our "christian" world.
But if Jesus had been executed (for example) on the wheel and that depictions would re-create his "hot" body being tortured on the wheel, that could easily replace the cross in our fantasy, I think.
@Wragg134: Yes, these two did belong to my favorites, too, when I was young (including the scene you mentioned) but the Pasolini movie shows why its not necessary to show tons of blood and gore like Gibson. The scene with the struggling, resisting and screaming thief embraces the horror of the crucifixion very well without showing blood. Thats "movie art", I would say. Even a student of Theology in todays time should be able to watch this old movie without getting traumatized for life, I presume...
best regards
Ty.