Gibson does U-turn - twice

Mel Gibson has performed a spectacular U-turn over his controversial movie about Jesus Christ's last hours - he's decided to include subtitles after all.

Gibson shocked Hollywood after announcing The Passion, which stars Jim Caviezel as Jesus and Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdalene, would be shot in Aramaic language without the aid of subtitles.

He then changed his mind only to be told by a Christian focus group invited to a screening of the film that it has too many subtitles.

One viewer said: "I don't know if Mel was ever serious about not having any subtitles. If he was, he has moved beyond that now. The version I saw actually had too many subtitles. We don't need distracting translations flashing on the screen when the Roman soldiers are saying obvious things like, 'Hey, you, move!'”

Mel has gone on record saying some of the subtitles will be dumped in future edits.

Meanwhile, the word from those lucky enough to catch the rough screening raved about the film.