Mel Gibson's contraversial look at the last twelve hours of Christ's life on earth.

To call any film about Christ "controversial" is to say the sun is warm. Any subject dealing with religion is always going to draw controversy–it is a given.

The brutality in this film has been well documented. Gibson went to great lengths to present the film in the most accurate way possible and I believe he did a good job, both in accuracy and artistically. If the violence is part of the story, it would be a disservice to present it any other way.

James Caviezel does a fine job in the title role even if 80% of his screen time is spent in horrific pain. But he also does well in several well timed flashback scenes that show us some of Christ's teachings. The remainder of the cast made up mostly of local Italian actors does very well also.

There is plenty of character examination here also. Peter, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Judas, Pilot and even Satan have stories of their own that prove very interesting and complelling.

While it could easily be interpreted that Gibson's use of graphic violence is a device to shock and awe an audience, I say it is a device to remind all those who believe that Christ suffered terribly to save us from our sins. A welcome reminder indeed.

Directed by Mel Gibson.