Ash Wednesday opening of 'Passion' draws crowds, but violence keeps some away

<br>SALT LAKE CITY (AP) _ The opening of "The Passion of the Christ" drew everyone from conservative churchgoers to confrontational New Yorkers more than willing to roll out their soapboxes as screenings

Wednesday, February 25th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) _ The opening of "The Passion of the Christ" drew everyone from conservative churchgoers to confrontational New Yorkers more than willing to roll out their soapboxes as screenings got under way.

But the gore _ and in some cases, church rules _ kept even the most devout Christians away.

In Salt Lake City, curiosity about the film among many Mormons was outweighed by church teachings that discourage viewing R-rated movies.

"I don't think our Lord would want me to see an R-rated film about his son," said 20-year-old Shawn Watts, a Mormon missionary.

Watts said he was intrigued but would need permission from his bishop, since missionaries are not allowed to watch films or television under church protocol. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stresses family values and frowns upon members seeing R-rated films.

Despite concerns about violence and accusations that Mel Gibson's film fuels anti-Semitism, "The Passion" made a bundle on its Ash Wednesday opening.

The movie took in an estimated $15 million to $20 million after just one day of release, remarkable for a religious-themed movie. It opened in more than 3,000 theaters _ an unusually large release for a religious film with English subtitles to translate the Latin and Aramaic its characters speak.

Among the legions that saw "The Passion," many streamed out of movie theaters feeling as if they themselves had been through a flogging.

"It sort of felt like you were coming to watch an execution," said Peter Hitchins, whose wife, Amy, wiped away tears as they left a movie theater in Charlotte, N.C.

"It's a little bit more brutal than you would think," said a sobbing Kim Galbreath, 29, in the Dallas suburb of Plano. "I mean, there were times when you felt like it was too much. But I dare anybody not to believe after watching it."

A woman in Wichita, Kan., collapsed during the film's final, bloody crucifixion scene. While people were helping the woman, identified as 57-year-old Peggy Law Scott, the lights were turned on and moviegoers were ushered out. She later died at a hospital. No cause of death was immediately given.

Directed, produced and co-written by Gibson, the film has received mixed reviews from critics. Some have praised Gibson's commitment to his subject. Others see it as excessively bloody, obsessed with cruelty and unfair in its portrayal of Jews.

Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League who saw "The Passion" before opening day, said he was still worried about reactions to the film when it comes out in places like Argentina and Europe, where there's been less debate about its content.

"We know the power of images, and we know the power of a star with a reputation around the world, and this concerns us," Foxman said.

In New York, famous for its love of raucous debate, members of the New Black Panther Party gathered outside a West Side theater, saying the film's biggest problem is obvious: Jesus wasn't white.

"We call this the greatest story never told," said Divine Allah, a youth minister in the group's Trenton, N.J., chapter, citing a biblical verse that describes Jesus with wooly hair and brown skin.

Even People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sounded off in the Big Apple _ but this time, it was in support of the film, which they said underscored the brutality of violence.

"It points out our belief in the unacceptability of violence and how animals suffer the same pain humans do," said Corinne Ferraro, 29, of Hoboken, N.J.

It wasn't theological or moral concerns that kept 77-year-old Pat Curry away from "The Passion."

The Ocean City, N.J. resident had been intending to see the movie but changed her mind after getting some bad news at the doctor's office. She opted for the comedy "Welcome to Mooseport" instead.

"I need a laugh," she said.