Gory Gibson film stirs controversy in Italy

ROME, Jan 5 (Reuters) Mel Gibson's new film, ''Apocalypto'', is causing a storm in Italy, where it will be released today with no viewer restrictions, despite its high dose of blood and guts.

Politicians have criticised Italy's censors for allowing minors to see the film, unlike most countries where it has been released, and a leading consumer group said yesterday it would ask a civil court to impose a ban for viewers under 14.

''The film may be very good but there are beheadings, people being torn to pieces and rapes, so it's clearly not appropriate for minors,'' said lawyer Marco Ramadori of the consumer group Codacons, which will lodge its appeal by the end of the week.

''We are not asking for the most violent scenes to be cut but we want the court to review the case urgently and set restrictions for those under 14.'' The film, which Gibson co-wrote, directed and produced, is set during the Mayan civilisation in central America.

The main character is Jaguar Paw, a hunter whose idyllic jungle life ends when warriors attack his village, burning huts, raping women and taking men to be human sacrifices. A very bloody battle ensues.

Apocalypto's Italian press agent said only Russia and Italy were screening the film, which is R-rated in the United States and has an age-18 certification in Britain and Germany, without viewer restrictions.

Italian politicians from both the ruling parties and the opposition also voiced concern.

Culture Minister Francesco Rutelli wrote a letter to Eagle Pictures, which is distributing the film in Italy, asking it to alert viewers to the movie's violent content and recommend that minors be accompanied by their parents.

However, he said he agreed with the censors' rating due to the film's ''high historical value''.

Reuters MQA DS1037