A CHURCH which hosts a regular movie evening took a departure from its usual film reel night by showing a gory tale of war.
The 'Movies at Mottram', hosted by Gateway Church at its Mottram Street hall, has been a regular feature for about two years.
The church, which has a full AV system, projector and screen, has already screened family-friendly films like The Polar Express and Chronicles of Narnia, preferring to avoid anything violent and focus on films with a faith message.
But last week it made an exception screening war epic Hacksaw Ridge, which tells the story of Private Desmond Doss who won the USA Medal of Honour, despite refusing to bear arms during World War Two on religious grounds.
Pt Doss was drafted and ostracised by fellow soldiers for his pacifist stance but went on to earn respect and adoration for his bravery, selflessness and compassion after he risked his life without firing a shot to save 75 men in the Battle of Okinawa.
Gateway Church's community leader, Neil Morris, said Hacksaw Ridge, which contains strong bloody violence and gory injury detail, wouldn't be the type of film to make the cut for its free film night but an exception was made because it carries a strong moral message.
"We don't have anything that goes against faith values - so nothing violent - but Hacksaw Ridge is about one person saving lives in a war conflict but the underlying moral is about the seventh day Adventist who didn't want to bear arms," said Neil. "There's a moral message there."
Movies at Mottram has grown in popularity with up to 40 turning up. No booking is needed and the church even supplies ice-cream and popcorn for the audience.
Neil added: "We run a food bank and work with a lot of people around low incomes or no incomes and part of our aim is to bring people in.
"We have a full licence to be able to show things on general release but we are in an area with low income and area of deprivation and asylum seekers and we are trying to put something on people will come to."
For more details contact Neil Morris on 07736449976.
