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Body Worlds creator uses corpse for crucifixion
By Bo Wilson, Evening Standard 21.09.06
Controversial: a Body Worlds display of von Hagens's technique
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Channel 4 is to broadcast a documentary showing a human corpse being hung on a cross to depict Christ's suffering.
Anatomist Gunther von Hagens will use a real body to show how people died when crucified in the 90-minute film.
The programme, Crucifixion, is already causing controversy, with Christians condemning it as blasphemous and one group threatening prosecution.
Although Channel 4 insists the body will not represent Christ specifically, a memo leaked to the Evening Standard states that it would indeed portray Jesus.
Von Hagens, who created the Body Worlds exhibits using his preservation technique of plastination, has been widely criticised for his work, which included an autopsy on TV in 2002. This is the first time he has touched on religion.
Steve Jenkins, spokesman for the Church of England, said: "This will upset and offend a lot of Christians as it seems he is using the Crucifixion simply to grab attention."
Christian Voice, which led the protest against broadcasting Jerry Springer The Opera, has announced it may prosecute on grounds of disrespect to Christ. Director Stephen Green said: "This sounds gratuitously offensive and blasphemous. It could well be we would want to take some action against it."
Crucifixion will be broadcast on More4. Filming has not yet started. A spokeswoman for Channel 4 said: "This is a science documentary, a history documentary on the anatomy after crucifixion. It will not be a specific representation of Christ."
But the production company making the film, Firefly, describes the portrayal as just that. In a document, Crucifixion was described as "a 90-minute film for More4 in which Gunther plastinates 'Jesus' ".
Firefly has produced programmes such as the BBC's The Thieving Headmistress. Producer Nick Curwin warned employees to keep Crucifixion under wraps. They were told that the programme and otherswere "highly confidential".
Despite Channel 4's insistence that von Hagens's work is educational, Mr Curwin also described the shock value of another programme, Gunther's ER. He said: "Gunther-choppingupbodies-in-front-of-an-audience series was also commissioned."
Though he has only an honorary professorship, von Hagens uses the title and last year was fined for doing so. In January 2004, German magazine Der Spiegel claimed he had used bodies from Chinese executions. He said he did not know where they had come from.
• Research into crucifixion has involved other scientists hanging cadavers to a cross, such as Pierre Barbet in the Thirties. The Royal Academy of Arts has a cast of a man on a cross - the corpse belonged to murderer James Legg, executed in 1801.
Reader views (7)
I'm currently in my second year of a biomedical science degree and think that the work that Prof Von Hagens is vital for the future of science. Surely giving everyone the opportunity to learn about how their bodies work and what happens during disease and death right through to what happens when you eat your lunch is only a good thing. People must remember the bodies used are donated by people who want their bodies to be used in this way it's not like he is just using random bodies. We live in a free society so surely it should be our choice as to whether we want to watch such programmes, no one is being made to watch these very educational programmes. The Professor should be congratulated on the respect he gives the bodies and should definitely be urged to keep on with his work... not as some may think be thrown in jail for simply doing his job!
- Emma, Kent, UK
As is the case with many "sensitive" issues, the power remains entirely in the hands of the viewer. I urge the easily offended or the overly offendable to express their disapproval towards this programme with the Almighty Remote Control and allow the rest of us the freedom to enjoy an exploration into something a little different.
- Nils Sturman, Norwich, UK
I guess this ghoul, von Hagens, has found a new theme for his body-mutilation obsession: Modes of Death. What's next? The anatomy of death by the rack? Or perhaps he can do a documentary to show the effects on the human body of being run over by a truck. I'm sorry, but only stupid people believe that this guy is about science and education. He is all about money and as long as people keep paying to see his freak shows he will keep coming up with more scandalous ones.
- Mk, Denver, USA
Just where is the line going to be drawn with this type of thing. I thought the earlier exhibition was appalling as were the people who paid money to see it, but this is just vile. Recently bereaved people, including me, have been very upset even by the adverts for the 'show'. Why can't people see it is wrong to display dead people in this way. To my mind this professor should be prosecuted. What he is doing seems criminal.
- Marina, London, UK
This display has always had some controversy. Some say there is no point and others say it is scientifically based.
- Kara Tyson, Mobile, AL USA
There is nothing new to be known about crucifixion's affects on a human body but everything to gain from cheap controversy and a shallow moment in the public spotlight.
- John, St. Paul, MN USA
People have already done scientific research on the crucifiction of Christ. They found out that when one is crucified they basically suffocate. While you're hanging there you can't breathe so you have to keep pushing yourself up so you can. Also, they found out that the nails in the hands were actually in the wrists. Had they put the nails in Christs hands his hands would have ripped loose because they couldn't have supported the weight. It's a horrible way to die.
- Soapscumbuildup, USA
