Pastors get 4-week booking for Jesus film

GREAT FALLS, Mont. — A group of Great Falls pastors have succeeded in bringing Mel Gibson's movie about Jesus' last hours to Great Falls, starting on Ash Wednesday — and continuing for four weeks.

The Rev. Cory Engel, of Harvest Springs Community Church, spearheaded an effort by local evangelical churches to get "The Passion of the Christ" brought here by pledging to buy large numbers of tickets.

The movie is scheduled to debut in 2,000 screens nationwide on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25. Randy Boleman, west division manager for Carmike Cinemas Inc., said Carmike will open it that day in most of its 300 locations.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of the Christian Lent, the 40-day period leading to Easter.

The film has drawn advance praise from the Rev. Billy Graham and other conservative Christian leaders. But it also has raised concerns that its depiction of the role of Jewish leaders might revive the idea that all Jews are to blame for Christ's death.