NATCHEZ &045;&045; Awesome, powerful, breath-taking, life-changing &045;&045; those are among the descriptions movie goers are using after seeing the long-awaited and controversial film detailing the condemning and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Mel Gibson’s &uot;The Passion of the Christ&uot; opened Wednesday in Natchez and around the country and is playing at Natchez Mall Cinema to large crowds.

Church groups, school groups, families and friends are choosing to go together to the movie, many of them preparing well ahead of time for the impact of a movie with an R rating for violence.

&uot;When I first came out of the movie, I realized I was shaking and breathless,&uot; said Ryan McGaughey, youth minister at First Evangelical Methodist Church. &uot;And it was not out of fear or disgust but just the sheer power of the movie.&uot;

McGaughey, like many other church leaders, bought a block of tickets to offer members of the church and friends who wanted to attend the movie together and then meet to discuss it.

&uot;On the first night we had about 30 people attend. We were expecting a lot of discussion afterwards,&uot; he said. &uot;But people wanted to reflect a little, to think about it; so we sat together, played a little music and prayed for a while before we took communion. We were laid back but reverent.&uot;

McGaughey praised the artistry of the film but said, &uot;It is more than a movie; it is an experience. It enthralls you.&uot;

The violence is difficult to endure, he said. &uot;How I handled it? I didn’t even try to stop myself from crying.&uot;

A group of 11th-graders from Cathedral School attended a Wednesday afternoon showing with their religion teacher, Mike Roboski.

&uot;We’re going with an open heart and an open mind,&uot; Roboski said prior to the movie. &uot;We hope everyone has a very positive reaction.&uot;

Some of his students later shared their reactions to the film. &uot;For years, we’ve been taught what he went through; but in the movie you were there,&uot; said Rachel Garvin. &uot;And when Mary and Jesus looked straight into the camera, you felt they were looking right at you.&uot;

Claire White agreed. &uot;It brought to life everything we’ve been taught.&uot; She will remember particularly one reference to &uot;love.&uot; &uot;When Jesus said to love your enemies as well as your friends &045;&045; that was exactly what he was doing.&uot;

Brittany Funderburg found the movie put the suffering of Christ into perspective for her. &uot;I came away thinking there is no need for us to sweat the small things. We should appreciate the time we have here and appreciate all he did for us,&uot; she said. &uot;I liked that he said ‘it is accomplished’ and not ‘it is finished.’&uot;

Maggie Brown, another Cathedral junior, said the movie was an affirmation for her. &uot;When Mary runs to the cross, and Jesus says that all things are new, that for me was the epitome of the story of Jesus for Christians and non-Christians.&uot;

Brown believes the movie offers a personal experience for everyone who sees it. &uot;It’s a connection for the whole world.&uot;

Erin Hyatt noted the accuracy of the script. &uot;It really went along the lines we have studied.&uot; However, no preparation can ready a viewer for the violence. &uot;You want to close your eyes,&uot; she said. &uot;But you have to see it; you have to know what was done for you.&uot;

The sacrifice of Jesus became more awesome for Cathedral student Cory Brock as he watched the movie. &uot;You realize what a sacrifice it was. He was seated on the right hand of God in Heaven. Why would he come and do that,&uot; Brock said. &uot;It makes you want to turn away from things you do and to live as he wants you to live.&uot;

The students appreciated the movie’s portrayal of the human side of Jesus. &uot;To see how much pain he went through made you realize he was human,&uot; said junior Alex Roberts. &uot;The mother-son relationship made it seem he was more a real person.&uot;

After the movie, students were more reflective than vocal, Roberts said. &uot;You just can’t explain to someone who hasn’t seen it how powerful it is.&uot;

Dan Ratcliff, youth minister at First Baptist Church in Natchez, purchased more than 200 tickets that have been distributed among church members for two Sunday showings of the movie.

Ratcliff began preparing for the movie long ago with a booklet of materials he found. &uot;We’ve had discussions, and we’re prepared,&uot; he said. &uot;No one under 12 will be allowed to go to this movie, and I agree with that.&uot;

Most of the young people attending with the First Baptist group will be with their families, he said.

&uot;I believe from what I’ve been reading it’s going to be life-changing. I believe we will feel this is not just a movie you experience.

&uot;If you’re a Christian, you will feel you are watching the most dramatic portrayal and maybe the closest thing to what is written in the Gospels about this event.&uot;

McGaughey said he cannot imagine someone seeing the movie without being affected. &uot;This movie will be a crossroads, where we see what God wants, we see the truth,&uot; he said. &uot;And we can choose &045;&045; we can choose the truth or our own way.&uot;

Ratcliff believes interest in the movie will continue to grow. &uot;Maybe it will have people going to Christians to ask questions. It will be a chance for Christians to witness and tell what the movie means. It may bring others to Christ.&uot;