Mel Gibson's new movie "The Passion" dramatizes the last twelve hours in the life of Jesus Christ, and it has already generated controversy nearly a year before its scheduled release.

Jewish organizations, including the prestigious Anti Defamation League, have raised questions about anti-Semitic messages in the film, despite the fact that their representatives haven't seen the movie. Gibson, moreover, hasn't even finished working on it. 

Recently, I watched a rough version of this work in progress, and it represents by far the most moving, substantive, and artistically successful adaptation of Biblical material ever attempted by Hollywood.

The premature efforts to discredit Gibson and his ambitious movie come at a time when committed Jews and serious Christians have been working together as never before to advance our common values-in the Middle East, and in America. All people of conscience should encourage this burgeoning coalition, and resist unfair attacks on an unfinished project by an inspired, idealistic filmmaker. 

I'm Michael Medved.