'Passion of the Christ' rated R16

By BRIDGET CARTER and ANGELA GREGORY

Mel Gibson's controversial biblical epic film, The Passion of the Christ, has been classified by New Zealand's chief censor as R16 because its graphic violence could traumatise children.

Chief censor Bill Hastings made the decision yesterday after consulting representatives from the Jewish, Catholic, Presbyterian and Baptist religious groups.

He said only one of the representatives consulted firmly thought the film was anti-semitic and none of them thought it should be banned.

Most were more concerned about the depictions of violence.

Added to the classification will be a warning that the film contains brutal violence, torture and cruelty, he said.

The Passion will first appear on movie screens in New Zealand on Ash Wednesday next week, the same day it is released in other parts of the world.

It traces Jesus Christ's last days and has come under fire overseas from members of the Jewish community, who say its brutal depiction of Christ's death may provoke anti-semitism.

The film contains horror scenes with gargoyle-like demons associated with Satan and eerie sound effects, lighting and music.

Some scenes have graphic and gratuitous violence involving Christ being tortured.

Jesus is scourged with whips which have hooks and blades that stick in his flesh before being ripped away for fresh blows.

Roman soldiers hammer a crown of thorns on to his head and nails are shown in close up being hammered into his palm, from which blood spurts.

Jesus' shoulder is then pulled from its socket when his right arm is stretched to hammer a nail into his right hand.

Auckland Christian Assembly spokesman Ross McCook said he was disappointed at the chief censor's ruling.

Mr McCook said that while he had not seen the movie, it portrayed the most significant event of all time, a far cry from the barrage of rubbish to which young people were subjected these days.

He had heard the film contained some extremely graphic footage which fitted the category of torture, and agreed some restriction was inevitable.

But Mr McCook said he had not expected it to be any more than an R13 classification.

"Should we ban the Bible next? It describes Jesus' back being torn like a ploughed field."

Mr McCook said a Glenfield movie theatre had been fully booked for Sunday week and some people would not now be able to attend because they were too young.

However, he said there would be plenty of takers for the seats as there had been huge interest in the movie.

"Church members have been inviting their friends."