Reaction to film mixed

More than 300 local clergy and faith representatives experienced, flinched, winced and even shed tears Tuesday morning during a pre-release screening of Mel Gibson's new film depicting Jesus Christ's final hours.

"The Passion of the Christ" has garnered both critical acclaim and determined derision in the weeks leading up to its general release in theaters today. Two orthodox Jewish rabbis viewed the film and spoke to reporters afterward, along with other clergy of various faiths.

National Jewish leaders, both religious and political, have warned that the film's depiction of angry Jewish holy men calling for Christ's death could rekindle historic anti-Semitism, particularly in Europe where such sentiments are on the rise again merely a half-century following the Holocaust.

Rabbi Benny Zippel of Chabad Lubavitch of Utah said Gibson's portrayal of Jewish leaders, including the biblical Caiaphas, as "bloodthirsty murderers and criminals is extremely inaccurate and inappropriate." The film was "extremely accurate" in its translations of Aramaic and Latin, which are spoken by the film's characters (English subtitles are included), Zippel said. "Unfortunately, I can't say the same" for its historical accuracy.

When asked if he was offended by the portrayal, the rabbi said "absolutely," yet he said he wouldn't discourage those who want to view it from seeing it. He said Jewish wisdom in the Talmud encourages people to make sure their intellect is in control of their emotion. Gibson obviously feels passionately about the story he told, Rabbi Zippel said, and that emotion comes through in the film "not necessarily filtered by the intellect."

Rabbi Ari Galandauer of Sha'arei Tefila Synagogue said the film was "very powerful," but he differed with its rendition of history. Even so, he said he is sure the message Gibson hopes to portray will come out in the end, and he doesn't expect any real backlash of anti-Semitism. Noting the Catholic Church's rejection in the 1960s of the Jewish people's responsibility for the death of Jesus, he said, "I think in general people understand and have a broader perspective of the Jewish people. "

Rabbi Galandauer said he was happy to be invited to the screening and thanked the Rev. Greg Johnson of the local ministry "Standing Together" for organizing the event and inviting Jewish leaders. The Rev. Johnson said he was a bit apprehensive because he didn't want to create offense but thanked the rabbi for coming as the two embraced.