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.

[Captainpaintball]

Fearless Prediction: This movie will have legs. Because of that, (and counting its worldwide audience) it will also be one of the most, if not the most, widely-viewed movies in history.

[TopQuark]

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

How, Father? And why?

Retribution? No, this cannot be: nothing Fox says about the movie is anti-Christian, so retribution to what?

I am afraid, Father, you have sinned...

[StockAyatollah]

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

Absolutely. This controversy leads to the inevitable question, "Why is this group of liberal Jews so intolerant of Jesus and his followers?"

[DentsRun]

Retribution? No, this cannot be: nothing Fox says about the movie is anti-Christian, so retribution to what?

I'd say it's pretty anti-Christian for Foxman to slander Gibson as an anti-Semite for making a movie true to the Gospels.

Frankly, I can't figure out why Foxman is going after Gibson like this, unless he figured that if he hit Gibson early and often no one would go to see his movie. Instead, in reaction to his attacks, Gibson started marketing the film to Christian groups, creating unprecedented interest in seeing the film. As a couple of columnists have recently pointed out, if the purpose of Foxman's attacks was to squash the film, he's managed to do exactly the opposite. On the other hand, maybe I'm giving Foxman too much credit. Maybe the purpose of attacking Gibson is to spur frantic donations to the ADL, which this film has certainly done.

[Always Right]

None of this will result in any antisemitism. All this hype just reinforces who these people are, far-left christian-hating liberals.

[DentsRun]

Fearless Prediction: This movie will have legs. Because of that, (and counting its worldwide audience) it will also be one of the most, if not the most, widely-viewed movies in history.

Could be. Here's what I wonder. Will this film be nominated for an academy award? (I'm guessing not, though it might be, just in order to entirely snub it on the awards show.)

[LdSentinal]

The Jews that are fearful of this movie cannot differentiate between European Christians and American Christians.

Here are several hints:

European Christians persecuted and slaughtered the Jews for centuries and despise Israel.

American Christians are very supportive of Israel.

It's about time American Jews see they have little to fear from their Christian neighbors.

[Humidston]

I'm with you. This movie will shatter all records. It will be the biggest blockbuster Hollyweird has ever seen.

They'll be jealous of Mel Gibson and grudgingly award him something trivial at the next oscars event.

[SendShaqtoIraq]

"This movie will shatter all records. It will be the biggest blockbuster Hollyweird has ever seen."

I hope and pray this happens.

[Imal]

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

The levels of irony embodied in this statement are too many to count.

[teldon30]

When does it start?....i forgot....does anyone know when it goes to general release?

[HoHoeHeaux]

I hope you are right here, but I live in a small town in Kentucky and last night the Jewish Temple here was vandalized. It has never happened before. It was probably some redneck punks that have no clue but all the hype about this movie may have fired them up. The vandalism was explicit and it was definately a hate crime. This temple has been here for 40 years with no problems at all. I do think this movie will spark passion in many. It may even change the course of of history. It will be painful to watch but we all need to see it. Only the ignorant will blame the Jewish people for the death of Christ. I could go on and on but think I will leave it at that. (o:

[Fledermaus]

Oh right. Skin heads, Democrats, Muslims and morons in Europe will become MORE anti-semitic because of this movie!

What a joke!

[dc-zoo]

It starts Ash Wednesday, This coming week.

[SendShaqtoIraq]

Wednesday, the 25th

[HitmanLV]

...it will also be one of the most, if not the most, widely-viewed movies in history.

Back to earth. It won't even be the most widely viewed movie of the year, let alone in history. Spider-Man 2, this 4th of July weekend, will almost certainly be a bigger hit - it looks better than the first one, isnt hampered by explaining SM's origin, and the first one made $ 300 million in 22 days domestically, and a total of over $400 mill domestic. I expect SM2 to get to $300million faster, and clear the $ 400million mark as well.

I think The Passion will be a huge hit, (I'll be seeing it that first Saturday) probably setting records for films opening in February, and it will be one of the bigger films of the year, clocking in at around $ 250 million or so worldwide.

[teldon30]

Gosh...i knew that...duh....thanks all.

[isthisnickcool]

Back to earth.

Spider-Man won't be seen by church groups, etc. all over the world. Eventually, Gibson's movie will be the most watch movie of all time.

I could be wrong. You too. Time will tell.

[ultima ratio]

Foxman's real opposition is to the Gospels. Talk about chutzpah. Can you imagine anything more incediary than a group of people from one religion telling another group of people from another religion what they must and must not believe? I'm appalled--and stunned--by the arrogance of such people. How can this not arouse resentment?