MEL GIBSON’S The Passion of The Christ has had sell-out audiences and mixed reactions since it opened here a week ago. Criticised by many for its relentless horror, the Australian actor-cum-director’s portrayal of Jesus’ crucifixion was so powerful that counsellors were on hand as the Friday evening audience left The Mallard.

Dave Tucker, 41, said the film was ‘very dramatic’ and ‘very graphic’. I feel it was a very powerful film from a spiritual perspective and makes it come to life. I know people have been quite interested. I think people have different reactions.

‘Some have found it too dramatic but other people say it’s made the Bible come to life.’

His wife, Denise, 37, said it was moving and provocative.

‘It challenges your own life. That’s the most impact it’s had on me. It’s very well done. You can react to it as a story or you can react to it as something that’s going to make a difference in your life.’

Also watching was a group of nuns from the Convent of Mercy at Cordier Hill, St Peter Port.

‘It was certainly more gruesome than I imagined it was going to be,’ said Sister Bernadette.

‘It was as it was in The Gospel and as it happened to our Lord that day. But I didn’t expect it to be that graphic.’

Sister Rita said she did not realise the crucifixion was as severe as Mel Gibson’s portrayal.

‘We were pleased we came as we heard so much about it.’

Paul Rimmer, 22, had returned for the second evening running.

‘It was excellent. A bit gory but it got the message over. It’s truthful to everything you read in the Bible. It was really well directed. Everything was perfect. At the end of it, everyone was quiet. It was the first time I had been to a cinema and everyone was quiet at the end of the film.’

Charles Evans, 38, was glad he saw it.

‘I really came because I thought they weren’t going to show it. I don’t like being told what I can and can’t see. It wasn’t as gory as I thought it was going to be; I thought it was quite a true representation.’

Others felt the message of love and soul-saving sacrifice was drowned by blood.

‘I thought very little of the content and felt there was too much violent detail,’ said Helen Stevenson, 39. ‘It was totally unnecessary.’

Dave Stevenson, 38, agreed. ‘It was too graphic. If you know the full story, it was a bit lacking.’

* The Passion of The Christ runs at the Mallard until Thursday.