YOU'VE got to admire Mel Gibson's cour-age, if nothing else. The actor and occasional director has tackled what in the past has proved to be a movie minefield for film-makers Jesus Christ.

Since the earliest days of celluloid, the depiction of Christ in a film has met with some concern from devout Christians.

In more recent years we have witnessed more hysterical reactions to films as diverse as The Last Temptation Of Christ and Life Of Brian, the blasphemers being Martin Scorsese and Monty Python.

Gibson has not got off lightly either, but it's not the Christians whose noses he has got up it's the Jews, who feel he has taken an unfair swipe at their role in the last days of Christ. They have been most vociferous in their condemnation of Gibson's film in the US since its release, and they have made their feelings known, although less noisily, in the build up to the release of The Passion Of The Christ in the UK today.

But as they say, there's no such thing as bad publicity, and the film raked in the dollars when it first hit the screen in America.

Whether it will perform well here remains to be seen. There is no denying it is an extraordinarily well made, thought-provoking and highly original treatment of probably the most famous story of all time.

It's timely release just before Easter ought to ensure good business. But its 18 certificate will make its progress in the coming weeks an interesting one to watch. The mid-teen market is a big one for cinemas, and they may regret this chunk of their audience being taken away from them for what is so far the most controversial film of the year.

But enough of the money, what about the art? Has Gibson, the man who brought us the Oscar-winning story of Scottish freedom fighter William Wallace in Braveheart, overstepped the mark and let success go to his head in tackling an extremely ambitious and difficult project?

Not in the least. Gibson, a devout Catholic, has made this film with... well, with a passion. He clearly knows the subject intimately and he has delved deep into the history books to make The Passion as authentic as possible. Bar some brief flashbacks childhood, carpentry, The Sermon on the Mount, The Last Supper the film is set during the last day of Christ's life.

Betrayed by Judas Iscariot (Luca Lionello), Jesus is arrested by the Pharisees and is condemned to death by Jewish high priest Caiaphas (Mattia Sbragia) and the council of holy brothers because of what they perceive to be blasphemy.

Pilate (Hristo Shopov), the Roman Governor of Palestine, initially resists the Jewish order's demands for an execution, but finally relents when the fervent crowd bays for Christ's blood.

And so, having already been brutally treated by the Roman guards, Jesus is ordered to carry a large wooden cross through the streets of Jerusalem to Golgotha hill, where he will be crucified.

This is brutal stuff, pretty much from start to finish. You will see more blood and gore in this film than in an all-night sitting of the Nightmare On Elm Street movies.

Prior to his crucifixion, Jesus is given a thoroughly sadistic flaying by the Romans, one that gets more vicious and more bloody as the tortured man attempts to put on a brave and dignified face.

Gibson doesn't hold back with the crucifixion either. You will wince at the very least when the nails are hammered into feet and hands. The aim is to show how much Christ suffered for us, and that message hits the target with considerable force.

Another bold move by the director is his use of dialogue the characters speak in either Latin or Aramaic, with English subtitles. The use of these ancient languages is likely to be off-putting for many filmgoers, but the idea works well in the context of the film and you have to admire Gibson's wisdom, as we have had too many films of this type with Christ speaking with a Californian drawl or clipped English vowels.

The Passion Of The Christ is not an exciting film. The middle third moves slowly and at this stage the film could do with an injection of pace.

But this is an enthralling drama that despite its familiarity seems fresh and relevant. Whatever your views or faith, the film is worth seeing. After all, it is the greatest story ever told.

OUT! rating: 8 out of 10