Gibson`s Passion: Box Office Hit

SeaMax News ^ | 2/21/2004 | Fr. Michael Reilly

[Hugenot]

The New York Post is reporting that Mel Gibson stands to make $25 million profit on his new film The Passion of the Christ.

Question: How does a movie written in Aramaic and Latin with subtitles about a religious topic become a blockbuster film? Answer: Abe Foxman.

Abe Foxman has spared no expense in assailing this simple recounting of Jesus' crucifixion. His assault has galvanized the support of Christian groups across the countries which are now determined to see this film succeed.

Meanwhile, has Mr. Foxman considered the consequences of his position? Does his strong opposition to the film risk alienating culturally conservative Jews from culturally conservative Christians?

Unfortunately, opposition to this film may create much more anti-Semitism than any film could ever cause.

[Aquinasfan]

unless he figured that if he hit Gibson early and often no one would go to see his movie.

He probably figured that with the accusation of anti-Semitism, Mel would collapse from a case of "the vapors," like most famous people these days.

[ultima ratio]

But you miss one aspect of Passion that trumps Spiderman II or III or even X. This film will be around a hundred years from now--long after Spiderman goes the way of Superman and Dick Tracy.

[Aquinasfan]

$ 250 million or so worldwide.

$1B worldwide. $500 million easily.

[commish]

This is the only thing that worries me about the hoopla surrounding this movie. These nutballs and whackos will start doing crap like this, and Mel & Christians will be blamed.

I would not put it past the rabid lefties to organize protests at theaters and then garauntee they turn violent. The lengths at which the Liberals, non-believers, whoremongers, etc are going to discredit The Passion and anything Christian are getting wilder and scarier with each passing day.

One has to ask, if this is just a movie and one mans vision , then WHY ARE THEY SO SCARED?

[bray]

I do have to admit that I am getting a bit tired of Christians always standing by Isreal and The Jewish faith and always getting the Anti-Semite race card reply. After their charges prove false, I am sure we will get a strong apology from the Liberal Anti-Def League. Course, American Christians are bigger supporters of Isreal than American Jews. God Bless Mel Gibson and The Passion.

Pray for W and The Truth

[BobS]

"WHY ARE THEY SO SCARED?"

It's very simple. They're lifestyles are in danger of being judged.

[commish]

It's very simple. They're lifestyles are in danger of being judged.

You are correct on the surface. But, this fear IMO goes much deeper. This movie has the potential to have a profound effect on millions.

I think the Libs are not just scared of themselves being judged, but in the possibility that as many eyes are opened to jesus and his sacrifice -- the utter degradation and evilness of the Liberal agenda will be exposed.

Any surge in Christianity from this a movie translates (at least in thier minds) into a surge of consrevatism. Suddenly gay Marraige, Abortion, Pornography, etc etc become displayed in stark contrast to the love of our Lord and the sacrifice of the SON.

The fear is that America will come home to GOD.

[Ciexyz]

There's four of us going together on opening weekend and I can't wait. In fact, I may go by myself on Wed. eve (opening day) just to help the first day's box office.

[BobS]

Most Americans are at home with God. The noisy ones that pollute our senses are actually very few in number.

[glaux]

"Question: How does a movie written in Aramaic and Latin with subtitles about a religious topic become a blockbuster film? Answer: Abe Foxman."

Wrong. The answer is Jesus Christ, whose word is a two-edged sword. He will always both fascinate and repel.

[Ciexyz]

....American Christians are bigger supporters of Israel than American Jews.

That has always mystified me. American Jews have been the ones supporting the initiatives that limit Israel's right to fight back, to build a Security fence, to hunt out and assassinate terrorists. It's like they trust the leftie Europeans and the quislings in Israel, before they'd trust the Republican Party and George Bush, who is the best friend Israel has. And Bush's stance doesn't buy him many American Jewish votes, they'll go Democratic till Judgement Day, because leaders like Abe Foxman tell them that if they don't, they'll be forced to say Christian prayers in school.

I remember the days when there was still Bible reading in school. I was ten years old when it was banned. The teacher chose different kids every week to read ten Bible verses daily to the class. I was chosen for readings and I specifically recall that the teacher told me to choose verses from the Psalms because there was a Jewish boy in our class, I was told to stick with the OT. There was an awareness of inclusiveness in the way the Bible reading program was implemented in those days.

[kcvl]

Anti-Defamation League needs MONEY = fundraising!

ADL

"Over the last 2000 years, four words have fueled anti-Semitism: 'The Jews killed Christ.' We are concerned about this message wrapped up in a popular film that's couched as gospel truth and produced by a popular, creative genius." -- Abraham H. Foxman

[hardhead]

I have absolutely no idea how it will do in the rest of the country, but our parish here in Wyoming has rented the theater for an afternoon showing on the 29th and then and after-movie discussion period. The theater is sold out for that performance. We have 5 theaters in town and The Passion will be shown at the flagship (main) theater. There is an incredible amount of anticipation!

[SauronOfMordor]

Fearless Prediction: This movie will have legs.

Fearless prediction: this movie will make back Gibson's production and distribution costs on opening weekend. The revenues will enable Gibson to evangelize on a level not before seen

World on the Web:The film industry magazine Variety reports that Nielsen NRG ratings predict an opening weekend gross of $15 million to $30 million, and that audience awareness is tracking far higher than other upcoming theatrical releases—despite the fact that most of these have employed much more extensive mainstream marketing campaigns. ... Lately, nearly half of online ticket seller Fandango's sales have been advance tickets for The Passion.

WIS News:New Mel Gibson movie about Jesus sold out around Columbia(Ohio)

[SauronOfMordor]

From the referenced NY Post article:

Industry insiders said they were stunned by the rapidly increasing advance sales for the film, which opens next week on Ash Wednesday.

"It is the number two selling film in our company's history [in terms of advance sales], right behind 'Lord of the Rings' [The Return of the King] and momentum is actually growing," said Art Levitt, CEO of Fandango Inc., which sells tickets over the phone and on the Internet.

"It's a phenomenon. None of us expected it."

[gingerky]

That reminds me of a story I once read about a town that had just a few Jewish families and there was some sort of incident. Almost every family in the town put a Jewish symbol in their window (a drawing of a menorah, I think).
Anyway, the good people of the town said collectively, "that won't fly here". It was a touching story.

[HitmanLV]

I dunno - I think it's repeat viewing value will be small, because of the violence. I agree it will be a big seller on home video and will wind up in people's homes who don't normally buy many DVDs.

Most watched film ever? That's hard to figure out. Wizard of Oz is seen my many millions annually for decades, and a big winner on home video. Titanic shot its wad in theaters but I don't know if it's watched much more anymore.

It's hard to predict. I do expect a worldwide of $ 250 million, maybe more. I also predict there will be no shortage of people on tv calling this a 'failure' somehow. Sheesh!

[HitmanLV]

It probably will have serious long term legs on home video, I agree. But I'm primarily talking US box office in its initial run.

[HitmanLV]

Nah, $200 million USA, $50-100million worldwide.

[HitmanLV]

By the way, I am a big Aquinas fan too! ;-)