CHURCH leaders from across Wiltshire were invited to a special screening of Mel Gibson's epic film The Passion of the Christ and have hailed it a masterpiece that "could change your life."

Written and directed by Gibson, it tells the story of the crucifixion and has caused huge debate between religious groups in the US.

Some call it an epic and some one of the most offensive films ever made.

Members of America's Jewish community have slammed it for painting Jews in a sinister light and blaming them for Jesus' death.

But Gibson has denied charges of anti-semitism and says the script for the film was based solely on what was written in the New Testament.

Paul Ivory, pastor at AGAPE Community Church, Trowbridge, attended a special advance screening of the film in Cardiff last week ahead of its UK release on March 26.

He said he thought the film presented a great opportunity for the Christian church to spread its word.

He said: "It is very difficult to put into words the overall feeling of this film other than I believe that the church has an opportunity to stop worrying about surveys that show statistically that membership is on the way down and be about doing something about it.

"What Gibson is portraying is that the actions of 2,000 years ago changed the world.

"I thought it was extremely violent but then the punishment dealt in those days was.

"The world is full of pictures of a white Jesus who hovers around above ground level generally with a halo and accompanied by an adoring crowd.

"The reality is that the Jesus I know and love was a real person who felt. The flogging in the film was horrible and only surpassed by the crucifixion.

"I felt under everything Gibson achieved the deep love that Jesus had for those He was trying to reach."

The film has topped the US charts since its release last month. Jewish protesters have barracked many cinemas, yet the film has already earned around £146 million in ticket sales.

Pastor Stephen Wood of Foundation Christian Fellowship, Warminster, attended a preview of the film at Cribbs Causeway. He said: "This is an excellent film which portrays the most important event in human history in graphic detail. Having studied the Biblical account of the life and death of Jesus, I can verify how horrifyingly accurate this film is.

"It is, to say the least, uncomfortable seeing such pain inflicted on an innocent man. Anyone unfamiliar with the Bible should read some passages before seeing the film.

"Isaiah Chapter 52 tells us that no-one had ever been beaten like this before and Isaiah chapter 53 lets us know why He was crucified for us.

"I would recommend that every adult see the film at least once, with the warning that it could change your life."