IT S 200 years since the birth of Charles Darwin – the man who explained about evolution – hence the recent TV series, the new Darwin centre at the Natural History Museum in London, and now the film. CREATION (PG) tells the story of how Darwin came up wit

IT'S 200 years since the birth of Charles Darwin - the man who explained about evolution - hence the recent TV series, the new Darwin centre at the Natural History Museum in London, and now the film.

CREATION (PG) tells the story of how Darwin came up with the most provocative theory in history.

A world-renowned scientist, and a dedicated family man struggling to accept his daughter's death, he is torn between his love for his deeply religious wife and his own growing belief in a world where God has no place.

He finds himself caught in a battle between faith and reason, love and truth.

Even today, his book On the Origin of Species, is controversial in some religious quarters.

Harlesden-born Paul Bettany stars in the lead role, supported by Jennifer Connelly (presumably to keep American audiences happy), Toby Jones, Jeremy Northam and Benedict Cumberbatch.

The film is based on the book, Annie's Box, by Darwin's great great grandson, Randal Keynes.

Director Jon Amiel explains: "We wanted to make a film that was an intense visual and emotional journey through the heart of darkness of this man. We decided very quickly that the ghost of his dead daughter Annie, who died when she was 10, would be an important character.

"We decided to tell the story in a non-linear way, moving rapidly between past and present, between fantasy and reality, between nightmare and anecdote.

"Once we had these ideas, I became passionate about Charles Darwin's story because I could see a way of telling a story about a man that deeply, deeply interested and moved me.