Mel Gibson's 'Passion' ascends to blockbuster status $117.5 million

Boston Globe ^ | March 1, 2004 | David Germain, AP

[Cincinatus' Wife]

LOS ANGELES (AP) Mel Gibson's gamble on ''The Passion of the Christ'' paid off enormously, riding a storm of religious debate to a $117.5 million haul in its first five days, according to studio estimates Sunday.

''The Passion,'' which debuted on Ash Wednesday, rocketed to the No. 1 box-office slot for the weekend with $76.2 million from Friday to Sunday.

[cousair]

CNN reported the Academy asked Mel to be a presenter, but he declined because of the opening of The Passion and was afraid he might be booed (CNN's words, not mine!! This is the biggest bunch of garbage I have ever heard..... talk about sour grapes!! The Hollywood crowd is so shallow it is remarkable they could show their faces Sunday night.

[1Old Pro]

As for the message of the film, one word, and one word above all others, keeps jumping out at me: Agony.

I had a few thoughts or words. One is "Re-awakening" as I think this film will encourage thousands to revisit the bible and to renew their relationships with the church. If sooo many have already forgotten about 9-11, imagine how many have forgotten about the suffering of Jesus.

[nonliberal]

Tolkkien was also a devout Catholic and the religious overtones of LOTR are everywhere.

[RightRules]

"Once considered a niche film that would appeal mainly to conservative Christians..."

As opposed to liberal Christians? No. The term conservative Christian is a new left-wing phrase that actually means "Christian conservative". The story was glossing over the fact that Hollywierd and other lefties summarily dismissed this movie as appealing only to those silly, whacko, bible-thumping, Republican-voting, SUV-driving, dittohead CONSERVATIVES.

Evidently, the left no longer feels this way.

While it is violent to the point that it is sometimes hard to watch, it is an accurate depiction. And it is awesome to experience.

As soon as the movie begins, the theater is packed and silent. When it is over, the crowd leaves slowly and v-e-r-y quietly. People waiting in the lobby for the next show stared at us, almost in shock, as we filed out.

I am so proud of Mel for pulling this off. I am so proud of every one of the millions of "conservative Christians" who are packing the theaters to be reminded of the very brutal sacrifice He made... for us.

A few of you were asking about children attending this movie. There were several in the theater with us. However, we would not have taken preteen children to see this.

Go see this movie!! Allow yourself to be filled with the blessing of His love through the Holy Spirit.

[Moby Grape]

I agree completely with everything you have posted. I think that you are correct to suggest that many movie goers are those that do not usually attend movies in "this day and age"....but there are millions who are going because they want to see a "fair" treatment of Jesus in a movie (versus the Hollywood Last Tempation type drivel that usually comes from the established bunch).

As for the liberal "experts" being SO DEAD WRONG....I believe you have several things happening here:

1. Liberals REALLY think thay can trash something and influence middle America....they are getting a rude awakening....Just ask the Hollyweird folk who endorsed Dean and Clark.

2. Liberals hate this movie because they FEAR it...they worry that people will be "converted" by this movie and they know that most evangelicals vote conserative...So for many of the detractors, this is about POWER.

3. Liberals REALLY believe that those so-called "right wing Christian" types are a VERY small band of extremists....this movie is debunking that sterotype.

4. The Hollywood power elite are being shaken to the core...a BLOCKBUSTER has been created that they had NOTHING to do with...they no longer OWN the movie media and the control of the content.

[wisconsinconservative]

I wonder, how many from the younger set, over 18, will go on their own to see The Passion?

My husband and I saw the film on Friday evening and I was pleasantly surprised that 1/3 of the audience was in the high school/20-something age.

[moondoggie]

Don't hold your breath hoping for Hollyweird to start making more decent movies as a result of the success of "The Passion".

A movie reviewer predicted yesterday that next year's crop of crap out of Hollywood is going to be all about violence in a direct response to the violence contained in this movie.

Time will tell........

[DollyCali]

I believe the copy cat effect will take hold. the quality & warping of the truth will be "interesting"... won't it?

Tolkkien was a good friend of CS Lewis..

I was very pleased with overall the academy awards last night.. wont go into it on this thread but only to mention that I do not think Hollyweird can ignore Passion next year ....It will be nominated... winning, is another matter.

The paying public (the real votes) have spoken. Cant be ignored.

Our local Liberal Rag, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reviewer gave Passion a C-. Cute

[RightRules]

"I went with my family. I arrived more than 1/2 hour before the first showing. The movie sold out for the that showing and the next two showings. I will try again mid-week."

Let me suggest that you try to purchase your tickets online. But, still arrive 30 minutes early to get a good seat.

[BrynS728]

I wonder, how many from the younger set, over 18, will go on their own to see The Passion?

I can only speak for my son - 24yr old, 1st year dental student. He and his roomate and another friend who are Catholic, began attending mass together. Word got out, and after a few weeks, this group swelled to nearly a dozen kids going to church together every Sunday. This group obtained advance tickets and after attending mass on Ash Wednesday, they all went to see the film.

He told me afterwards that it was the best, most powerful film he's ever seen and that it strengthened his beliefs even more.

I'm so proud of him, because this was a kid I had to drag out of bed on Sundays to go to church. The fact that he attends church because he wants to, and surrounds himself with young people who want this too, is very comforting to me. I hope this movie will inspire other young people, and I pray as many as possible get the chance to see it.

[N. Theknow]

There were many poignat scenes. The one where I lost it, though, was when Jesus fell and his Mother Mary ran to him, and the look that passed between them, and Mary flashing back to when Jesus was a little boy, and he fell. Very powerful.

That was very good.

However.

The scene that did it for me was the release of Barrabas.

NO matter how ugly our sin. NO matter how guilty we are found by the laws of Man...Jesus will take our place and set us free.

Another was the crow pecking out the eyes of the thief who mocked Jesus. The thought running through my mind was, "None so blind as those who will not see."

And how fitting that the members of the Sanhedrin rode away from Calvary on donkeys. Hadn't seen (noticed) any animals until then, but there they were riding off on donkeys. My thought: "What a bunch of asses."

[N. Theknow]

Saw it at Solomon Pond in Northboro Saturday with Mrs. Theknow. 4PM show had seats but the 6 other showings after that were all sold out.

Not much concessions sold for the show. NO previews. NO advertisements. Boom - here's the show - Roll the credits. quietest movie theater I have ever been in. At one point in the movie I purposefully "listened" to the theater. It was like I was alone in there. But there were no empty seats save those three rows in front where kids normally sit.

BTW, I will be seeing it again Tuesday and Wednesday with groups from my wife's work.

[longtermmemmory]

Perhaps hollywood having the same "epiphany" that custer did when he realized there are alot more indians than the thought.

[fish hawk]

The French people will see this movie no matter what. When you say "no" that is when you put your hand in the cookie Jar. Years ago "Lady Chatterlys Lover" was banned in America but everyone I knew had a copy, it only helps sales in the long run.

[skeeter]

The one where I lost it, though, was when Jesus fell and his Mother Mary ran to him, and the look that passed between them, and Mary flashing back to when Jesus was a little boy, and he fell. Very powerful.

"Mother, I make all things new"

I nearly came unglued at that point, as well.

[Dionysius]

Our wonderful, wonderful secular humanist rag, the St. Louis Post-Disgrace, gave the "Passion" two stars and panned it. A few years ago, it gave the abortion paeon, "Cider House Rules", four stars and praised it to the very heavens (that don't exist in their philosophy). When the Post-Dispatch very underhandedly put the conservative Globe-Democrat out of business, journalism died in our city.

[stripes1776]

The French people will see this movie no matter what.

I think you are probably right. France has deep Catholic roots, although the growth above the ground in not seen much these days. But I think the present generation which is largely unchurched will be curious to see this film.

[randog]

The one where I lost it, though, was when Jesus fell and his Mother Mary ran to him, and the look that passed between them, and Mary flashing back to when Jesus was a little boy, and he fell. Very powerful.

Yeah, that was the scene that got to me, too. I went with my wife and in-laws (their second viewing). I was trying to keep it in, but the mother-and-child connection was the gut-punch that did me in. In fact, the whole movie was a 2-hour gut-punch. Very powerful.

[nmh]

People are spiritually hungry. They want to fill the void in their life. They are not finding it filled via Hollywood's immoral and pornographic films that exalt all that is wrong with society.

[RJL]

All you have to do is pay attention to the names of the movies listed following The Passion to understand just how intellectually vapid, stupefyingly boring and imagination free the executive producers, producers and writers in Hollywood really are. They don't have a veritable intellectual clue.

Exactly correct and well said.