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.

[CSM]

I agree.

I did read here on FR, can't recall where, that the word "Passion" in the language of the day meant "Suffering". It is fitting that this particular suffering was done out of passion!

[CSM]

You can buy tickets on line through fandango.com. I did and walked to a kiosk, ran the cc and got my ticket. Worked like a charm!

[Galactic Overlord-In-Chief]

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.

I'll say. They'd rather make more movies like "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen," than "The Passion." And a "Dirty Dancing" sequel? Where'd that come from?

[NewJerseyJoe]

Mel Gibson is NOT a fan of Vatican II, and neither am I. Vatican II did untold damage to the Catholic Church, if you ask me.

That was exactly my point! Imagine a movie EXPOSING that. You and I are completely on the same page.

[BibChr]

I'm glad to say I contributed to this success, and I say, good for Gibson.

SUCCESS is THE SWEETEST REVENGE.

Dan

[CSM]

"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."

Nail on head bump. I didn't even want to look the people standing in line in the eye. I didn't want to give away the intensity of the film.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

"Movie analyst predict a considerable drop off this weekend and expect the movie to finish with reciepts of around $35 million."

Box Office Preview: The Passion of the Christ By Reagen Sulewski

This finally brings us to the Wednesday opening, which has come all the way up to 3,006 venues, a very wide slate by any measurement. The fact that there are over 4,600 prints is also important, something that indicates that the film is getting significant multiplex play. Naturally there will be a heavy first day demand as with any film. The way this demand is going to play out over the first five days is going to be very interesting, as many of the bought-out showings are for Sundays, which could shift the normal movie going patterns wildly. Right now, I'm predicting approximately an $11 million opening Wednesday, with a steep drop-off to $4 million on Thursday. I then predict a follow-through of around $35 million on the weekend, though what shape that may take is still in question. The Passion of the Christ promises to be one of the more interesting releases of the year, in sociological, cinematic and business senses. Stay tuned for more updates through the week.

[xsmommy]

i was relieved that there were no trailers preceding the film. and we stayed til the last credit rolled, just completely immobilized, and went out through the front exit right into the parking lot. and none of the 3 of us spoke the entire way home.

[NeoCaveman]

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

The Pain Dealer isn't even fit for the lining of bird cages.

[CSM]

I am dissappointed that we did have previews. They were all about family oriented movies tho'.

[McGavin999]

That's exactly right. Most of the shows were sold out and the people who couldn't get in are planning on going. Only next time they'll order their tickets in advance.

I bought and paid for mine in advance and I'm glad I did.

[xsmommy]

well i was appalled that people came in carting popcorn, drinks and FOOD!

[kidd]

LOTR - Oscar winner
Passion - Box office winner

Dear Hollywood:

Please get a ticket for the clue bus before the prices go up. And no - the clue bus will NOT be involved in a car chase.

[CSM]

Wow, then you must have been dissappointed in me. Of course, I arrived early enough that I had finished the popcorn before the movie. It was a 5:25 show and I needed a snack. In a way, I know what you mean, but think of the positive side, the overall increase in profitibality to the theatre attributible to this movie.

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

I absolutely hope that Mel makes a "prequel". I would love to see the same treatment given to Jesus' ministry before the crucifixion. I am ready to commit to seeing it at least twice and buying the DVD! Just think, a film about his entire ministry on Earth would be something that parents would be willing to take their kids to see.

The goal of Jesus' entire ministry on Earth was in the last twelve hours. Without that final act, all His preceding works would have been meaningless. All parents should take their children to see this film.

[xsmommy]

yes, i had read the threads on FR advocating buying the popcorn etc. and tossing it before the movie. it just seemed kind of a cavalier approach to be going in there with food, knowing what was to come. we went right after lunch on Sat.

[CarolAnn]

I was listening to an interview the other day of a hollywood insider. The interviewer asked the guy if he thought next year one of the nominees for best picture would be 'The Passion'. He basically said 'no way' because 'them that be' don't like Mel Gibson and won't vote for anything of his ever again.

This movie may be a blockbuster, but we (fans of the movie and/or Gibson) may have to be satisfied with just knowing that Mel Gibson is eating their lunch by turning all other recent releases into sidelines that aren't causing the slightest ripple with the press. You know they're just seething at this movie's success.

That's good enough for me. :)

[T.Smith]

"The goal of Jesus' entire ministry on Earth was in the last twelve hours. Without that final act, all His preceding works would have been meaningless."

I wouldn't say meaningless, but his ministry was definitely made whole by his death. I think that to say his ministry would have been meaningless sort of belittles his teachings. That's just my opinion.

"All parents should take their children to see this film."

I can't agree with that. Young children might not be able to comprehend the violence nor might they be able to put it into perspective. Parents should use their own discretion, but I personally wouldn't invite a child younger than 12.

[DollyCali]

Pain Dealer isn't even fit for the lining of bird cages.

My use under the cat boxes is about right. (I do like some of the cartoons however! Mature individual that I am. Hope you are doing well boyfriend.. Another Cleveland FReep in April I see.. maybe get the troops out.. TTW...the place in Shaker we FReeped where Hitlery had her booksigning is no longer there (she does that with people too).. actually they moved to a more desirable locale, but the coincidence is funny.

[richmwill]

I received a phone call last night from an agnostic friend, she told me she "sobbed through almost the entire movie". It must be amazing. My girlfriend and I are planning to go this weekend- I just hope I don't "sob" in front of her. :)