Passion DVD 'sets R-rated record'

The Passion of the Christ was filmed in Latin and Aramaic

Biblical epic The Passion of the Christ sold 4.1 million DVD copies on its first day of release.

Fox Home Entertainment said film, directed by Mel Gibson, was the best-selling R-rated film of all time.

Starring Jim Caviezel, the film made $610m (£340m) at the global box office after its cinema release in February.

However, Pixar's animated Finding Nemo still holds the record for one-day DVD sales, selling eight million copies its first day.

Blockbusters

Fox, who released the sales figures on Wednesday, also said The Passion of the Christ was the best-selling non-English language film of all time.

Most DVD sales trackers, however, only divide rankings between animation and live-action.

The controversial film, which graphically depicts the last hours of Jesus, is on course to sell as many DVDs as Hollywood blockbusters such as Spider-Man and The Lord of the Rings.

Many DVDs were paid for well in advance and picked up from retailers on Tuesday.

There was a massive marketing campaign targeting the DVD at religious groups in the US, with more than six million Christian homes receiving e-mails about its release.

Churches were also offered deals on bulk orders of the film.