March (Web-only) 2004

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Norwegian killer confesses to bombings after viewing The Passion
They said The Passion of The Christ would provoke neo-Nazis, and they were right: in one case, it's provoking a neo-Nazi to confess to his sins and repent.

Johnny Olsen, whom the Oslo newspaper Aftenposten calls "one of Norway's most feared men," turned himself in to police on Saturday after watching the film.

"He said that it was the film that made him realize that he had to show his hand. He has been preoccupied with Christianity, guilt, punishment, atonement, suffering and conversion during the 10 years I have known him," Olsen's lawyer said. "It has been a long process but the Jesus film made the difference. Now he shows true regret and is ready to make amends."

Olsen served 12 years in prison for two murders in 1981. He has been suspected, but never charged, in the two bombings to which he confessed, against anarchist squatters in 1994 and 1995.

Even more shocking: it's not an isolated incident. A Texas man who'd gotten away with killing his wife turned himself in to police after seeing the film (though he may still plead not guilty), as did thieves in Arizona (video) and Florida.

More on The Passion of The Christ :

• The God squad | Mel Gibson has freed Hollywood's believers (Elihu Yale, The American Spectator)
  
  
• Hostile mood awaits Gibson's Passion in France | Panned by the critics and local church leaders, the controversial film "The Passion of The Christ" opens in France on Wednesday after winning a court challenge and getting the backing of a Muslim businessman (Reuters)
  
  
• 'Passion' hot in LatAm but Teutons yawn | Mel Gibson 's biblical epic is arousing very different passions around the world, ranging from wild fervor in Latin America and Poland to plenty of enthusiasm Down Under (although well below the manic level Stateside) and muted interest in Germany and Ireland (Variety)