|PIC1|End of the Spear, a film featuring the story of five missionaries who were martyred by a violent tribe called the “Waodani,” opened in 1,200 cinemas in the US Friday.

Various responses, both positive and negative, flew in after the film hit theatres, including sounds of praise, controversies, and complaints.

Debates on whether the Gospel is apparent enough in the film arose, in the midst of emerging complaints on why the leading roles of the missionary, Nate Saint, and son, Steve Saint, went to Chad Allen, a practicing homosexual.

Critics have also pointed out that the film and the documentary do not state the name, "Jesus,” although one tribeswoman in the film did acknowledge that “Waengongi (the name by which the Waodani refer to God) had a Son who was speared so we could live well.

In addition, The Boston Globe claims that “the 'Spear' doesn't pierce quite deeply enough.”

A blogger named Brian Nichols, however, argued on a forum that “the secular audience doesn't want to be bashed over the head with the Gospel.”

"These films aren't made to preach to the choir," Nichols railed. “I am amazed you all failed to realise this."

On actor Chad Allen being a homosexual activist, filmmaker Mart Green contends that he was the best man for the part.

Green explained, "Our challenge to the team was to hire the best people. We didn't ask what their religious preference was, their sexual preference, etc. [Chad Allen] raised the bar for us.”

On the other side, many Christian leaders were rather pleased with the film.

According to Baptist Press, Rainey said that End of the Spear “isn’t just a good movie, but an EXCELLENT one! It’s my hope that tens of millions of young people around the world will see this riveting movie and that it will be used by God to launch a million missionaries who will perform even greater exploits for Jesus Christ.”

He urged people to take their children and their friends and experience the compelling story.

Ted Haggard, president of National Association of Evangelicals, said he had never been so touched by a movie before in his life.

"It took me an hour to recover from End of the Spear," he said.

"I was on the edge of my seat," commented Ron Luce, founder of Teen Mania Ministries. "End of the Spear will challenge you to give your life away at a whole different level."

Every Tribe Entertainment, which produced the film, has as its stated mission “To create quality entertainment for a broad audience that inspires hope through truth."

The independent studio was founded “to bring to life stories of courage and strength of the human spirit.”