Mel Gibson victorious after all.

Washington -- Mel Gibson's recently completed movie portraying the last hours of the life of Jesus will be released in the spring of 2004. But the controversy initiated by Jewish groups following a pirated unedited script-copy (See CI., Sept. '03, p. 26) is kept alive. Anti-Defamation League personnel who saw the pre-edited version have claimed that "if released in its present form" it could "fuel anti-Semitism," by representing the Jews as responsible for Christ's death (Metro News, Aug 13).

Mr. Gibson's marketing director has announced that the story has been "softened" and changes made to show some more "sympathetic" Jewish characters. He would also be meeting with several Jewish leaders to receive their feedback. Mel himself is said to be hurt by the criticism; he has had many Jewish friends and colleagues in his 25 years in the movie business and has never before had to face accusations of anti-Semitism. Meantime, a reviewer from the America Catholic Magazine Crisis, who actually did view the now-edited film, recommends it unreservedly.

Gibson himself has held several screenings for supporting groups, including the Conference of Bishops and some 2000 Knights of Columbus. Carl Anderson, head of the international K of C., declared it a powerful description of Christ's crucifixion.

In August, 20th Century Fox, which usually distributes Mel Gibson's films, turned thumbs down on The Passion, suggesting it should only be shown in small-niche theatres. But a few weeks later Disney's CEO, Michael Eisner, who is Jewish, announced that his company will distribute it. Moreover, a coalition of Hollywood stars announced they had collected $100 million to defray the costs of the distribution. Among then were liberal activists James Garner, Barbra Streisand, Dustin Hoffman, Steven Spielberg, Susan Sarandon and Cher, declaring that this film could not be permitted "to die on the vine."

Editor: For the question of Jews and the death of Christ, see Christian-Jewish relations, the 40th anniversary of Nostre Aetate, elsewhere in this issue.