"Passion of Christ" tops US box office

Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" has hit the top of the US box office chart.

The controversial Biblical epic took £40.7 million in its opening weekend. In fact its takings since its opening on Wednesday have only been surpassed by "The Return of the King".

The film sparked controversy when eminent Jewish leaders condemned it as ant-Semitic, it has also been described as "too violent" by some church groups.

Last week's number one film - "50 first Dates" dropped to second, but "Passion" netted more than six times as much in box office takings .

"The Passion of the Christ" opens in the UK on 26 March.

The top ten in full:

1 - The Passion of the Christ £40.7 million
2 - 50 First Dates £6.7 million
3 - Twisted £4.9 million
4 - Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen £3.3 million
5 - Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights £3.2 million
6 - Miracle £2.4 million
7 - Eurotrip £2.2 million
8 - Welcome to Mooseport £1.8 million
9 - Barbershop 2: Back in Business £1.7 million
10 - Broken Lizard's Club Dread £1.6 million

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