While controversy swirls around Mel Gibson's as-yet largely unseen "The Passion," another film, "The Gospel of John," is likely going to do a certain amount of flame-fanning of its own in regard to where the burden of responsibility falls for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. A word-for-word adaptation (by John Goldsmith) from the American Bible Society's Good News Bible, this well-made epic boasts carefully researched production values and the talents of classically trained actors, but by literally playing it by the book, the picture loses something dramatic in the translation. At a very noticeable three hours, it feels like a month of Sunday school classes.

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