A BIBLICAL film directed by an atheist was always going to be interesting.

But with rock monsters and epic battles, this is Noah’s Ark but not as you might remember it from Sunday School.

Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan, Requiem for a Dream) said he wanted to make this film simply because he has loved the story since he was a child.

And although the New Yorker has no religious agenda to push, his eco message about animal welfare and living within your means shines through.

The humans, doomed to be washed away in the almighty flood, are portrayed as wicked, desperate and hopeless and you might find yourself glad of their fate despite yourself.

Complete with beard and fearsome temper, Russell Crowe is excellently cast as Noah who is chosen by ‘the creator’ (no mention of God) to do his bidding, even if this means being cruel to his own family.

Meanwhile, Ray Winstone plays Tubal-cain who believes man should be lead by his will rather than the heavens. Your head might agree but your heart probably won’t – at least for the duration of the film.

Since his breakthrough feature, Pi, Aronofsky has become renowned for his groundbreaking visuals and editing and this is no different.

Like with his 2006 film, The Fountain, Noah is full of potent and striking imagery and while the film’s rock monsters have been criticised as far fetched this is unfair.

After all, these ‘monsters’ are explained to be fallen angels who have been consumed by the earth.

And, really, how much more far fetched can a story be about a man who ushers animals two-by-two into a humongous boat?

There are a few moments that just come across as absurd but on the whole it is an incredible and thought-provoking film, whatever your faith.