Dennis Prager has written the best analysis of the conflict over The Passion Of The Christ that I've seen so far:

The increasing tension over this film has reinforced impressions I offered Mel Gibson that day. When watching 'The Passion,' Jews and Christians are watching two entirely different films.

For two hours, Christians watch their Savior tortured and killed. For the same two hours, Jews watch Jews arrange the killing and torture of the Christians' Savior.

In order to avoid further tension between two wonderful communities that had been well on their way to historic amity, it is crucial for each to try to understand what film the other is watching and reacting to.