Mel Gibson's controversial film The Passion Of The Christ has opened for previews in York. RICHARD EDWARDS asks cinemagoers what they made of the bloody Biblical epic and LUCY STEPHENS looks at the background

HARD-LINE Roman Catholic Mel Gibson's gory new film The Passion Of The Christ has provoked outrage among some critics, who claim its depiction of Christ's final hours is anti-Semitic and overly violent.

But the film has broken all records at the American box office, taking £60 million in its first five nights.

The Passion officially opens at The Odeon in Blossom Street today, showing on the small screen at 2pm, 5pm and 8pm.

From tomorrow onwards, it will be showing at the big screen at the same times, and is due to be on for at least a week.

Special previews at the Odeon, York, and the VUE cinema, Clifton Moor, last night failed to provoke anticipated protests from Jewish groups, some of whom have accused the film of containing anti-Semitism.

The turn-out at the early showings at both cinemas was low, with just a handful of people turning out to see the film at each showing.

All praised the quality of the movie while stressing its intense brutality.

Andrew Jenkinson, of Heworth, York: "It was brutal, very brutal, and very emotional. The brutality was what really struck me, there was a 20-minute scourging scene for instance. The special effects were absolutely terrific, but also shocking.

"It was not a pretty sight at all, but then again the Lord died for everybody and his death was brutal, it was not pretty."

Patience Moore, of Osbaldwick, York: "It must be seen as it was and that is how it was.

"Jesus's death cannot be romanticised, people have to see that to know what Jesus went through for everyone.

"It made me feel humble when I came out of the cinema."

Marilyn Jenkinson, of Heworth, York: "I think he (Gibson) has portrayed it how it was and in that sense he has done a good job.

"Jesus was crucified and a crucifixion was brutal, it wasn't nice to look at.

"It was a very emotional film and is some-thing that will stay with me for a long time."

Ian Seabrook, of Heworth, York: "I am a bit religious and a bit of a film buff.

"It was interesting to see it.

"Talk of anti-Semitism totally misses the point.

"It is not about that at all. It is about Christ and about what happened to him."

Steven Walker, of Lord Mayor's Walk, York: "I have my beliefs and am taking a course in film and theatre so it was a film I wanted to see.

"I thought in terms of realism it reflected pain and anguish. It showed the Passion of Christ. "The title tells you what to expect.

"It is the brutality that makes the passion."

Kev Casey, of Haxby Road, York: "I didn't think it was anti-Semitism and its brutality only reflected what it would have been like.

"They have taken the Bible and made an accurate film from it. "There were times when I wanted to look away, but also didn't want to because it was such a good film."

Updated: 10:39 Thursday, March 25, 2004