Few films have attracted as much controversy as Mel Gibson's latest film, depicting the last 12 hours of Jesus' life.

The Passion Of The Christ, which opens in the UK on Friday, March 26, has been attacked for alleged anti-semitism, which Gibson strongly rejects, and criticised for the scenes of graphic violence.

But the film is already an enormous box office hit in America, taking more than $200m in its first weeks.

This personal project of Gibson's has not only run contrary to Hollywood conventional wisdom with its success, but has also turned little-known actor Jim Caviezel, who plays Jesus, into a major star.

The tall 35-year-old devout Catholic with smouldering good looks had his screen breakthrough in The Thin Red Line and has played a series of enigmatic loners since, in the likes of Angel Eyes, The Count Of Monte Cristo and High Crimes.

When Gibson, who personally financed and directed the $30m dollar project, offered the role of Jesus to Caviezel, he warned the swarthy Los Angeles-based actor it would be tough. The dialogue for a start would be in ancient Aramaic.

"He was the one who tried to talk me out of it, saying, 'It could be a career killer, you know'," admits Caviezel, who initially was told to meet Gibson about a surfing movie.

Having already turned down chances to play Jesus in two television projects, Caviezel says he accepted Gibson's offer because of their shared vision. Gibson is a devout traditionalist Catholic and wanted to show the full story of Jesus' brutal end.

"Mel and I both shared the same common denominator. I want the absolute fullness of the truth," says the actor. "I felt like if I didn't take it I would be ridiculous, not working with a guy like Mel Gibson.

"I knew the Gospels we were doing and I knew we weren't going to do some creative thing that ran counter to what I believe."

With Jews depicted as largely responsible for Jesus' death, Caviezel denies there was any underlying anti-semitism in the film.

"If he'd said, 'Hey I'm going to make an anti-semitic film', I'm not going to be part of a film like that. That would be a lie to my faith and a mortal sin."

"This film does not play the blame game," maintains the actor. "We're all culpable in the death of Christ."

by Robin Walker, PA Features.

It was a brutal shoot, Caviezel admits. He spent weeks near naked on a cross in bone-chilling weather, being hit by lightning and accidentally having his back gashed. Not to mention the sharp crown of thorns, dislocating a shoulder and a lung infection.

"The physical side was horrendous. The cross weighs 125lbs and it felt like 600lbs as the day wears on. They stick you on the cross and everyone is in mittens and thick clothes," he recalls. "I was on that cross suffering hypothermia for five weeks."

Being struck by lightning on the cross left him with a hair style like Don King.

"About three seconds before it hit me I knew it was going to happen," he says. "We got our way down the hill and people were saying they saw fire on both sides of the head. All I know is that I heard, 'What the heck's happening?"

The physical pain of the production forced him into a deeper place, he says.

"The suffering is the glory. What you see up there is full of truth and grace.

"Making this movie forced me into the arms of God. I said, 'God use me'. There was no other place to go. I just stepped out of the way and let him take over."

Gibson has not tried to create a blue-eyed sanitised version of what happened, says Caviezel. "He wanted to make the most semitic Mary (played by Jewish actress Maia Morgenstern) and the most semitic Jesus there has ever been. A lot of what we learn today has been watered down, it takes away the real truth."

The Passion Of The Christ has propelled Caviezel into the Hollywood spotlight in the same way another long-time supporting actor Viggo Mortensen has seen his career transformed by the The Lord Of The Rings trilogy.

The trouble is Caviezel wishes directors and producers would also let him do some comedy. "That's what I really want to do. I'm playing these intense tortured souls and it couldn't be further from who I really am."

Next up he plays golf legend Bobby Jones in Bobby Jones, Stroke of Genius.

"If I was as intense as the characters I play I'd have no friends, I certainly wouldn't have a marriage." His wife Kerri is a teacher and they were married in 1997.

In the meantime, while he waits for some lighter roles, Caviezel is basking in the glow of a surprise although controversial box-office triumph.

He hopes audiences will see it as the "greatest love story ever told".

"At the end of the day it always comes down to faith anyway. But I want to at least offer the opportunity to look at it and say, 'This is a possibility'. You don't have to be religious to see this film."