The Passion of The Christ has provoked huge interest

The statement, by the assistant bishop of Newcastle, followed a special screening of The Passion of The Christ for 300 clergymen in the city.

Paul Richardson said Gibson's film was accomplished, but was violent and bordered on pornography.

The film provoked outrage in the US, despite topping box office listings.

The �13m film is backed with money from Gibson - a devout Catholic.

It graphically shows Jesus' torment and has been criticised for being too violent.

Following the screening in Newcastle, Mr Richardson, said Lord of the Rings had "stronger religious themes."

The Monday screening was the first of a 14-venue tour of the film before it opens nationally on 26 March.

Director Gibson has accepted the film is violent

The Premier Christian Radio station has organised the previews, inviting 4,000 clergymen from all denominations to see the film which took more than $117m in the first five days in the US.

The 18 certificate film, starring Jim Caviezel, runs at just over two hours and is subtitled from Latin and Aramaic.

Mr Richardson said: "If I was to recommend a film with a religious theme, I would say Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.

"Tolkien was a Catholic who wrote from a Catholic background, it had a very Christian theme - the search for the source of evil and people on a pilgrimage - whereas this (The Passion) is over-violent."

He said anyone who did not know the bible well could find the film anti-Semitic, which he regretted.

'Very powerful'

The Rev Daniel Meister from the United Reformed Church in Stockton, Teesside, was very moved as he came out of the cinema.

He said: "I thought it was very powerful, I think it will either strengthen your faith or bring you to faith.

"It is a transformational experience, extraordinarily powerful."

The managing director of Premier Christian Radio Peter Kerridge, 43, said: "We see it as a significant event for the British Church and we got involved in order for churches to get ready for it opening.

"It already is a major talking point and I think it will become a bigger one.

"I think it is an amazing portrayal of the last 12 hours of Jesus' life and it brings into sharp focus what he actually went through."