'Passion' Viewers Passionate About the Movie

GALLUP NEWS SERVICE ^ | David W. Moore

[heyheyhey]

March 12, 2004

Passion Viewers Passionate About the Movie

Three in four Americans have seen or expect to see it

by David W. Moore

GALLUP NEWS SERVICE

PRINCETON, NJ -- If the latest Gallup Poll is any indication, Mel Gibson's movie, The Passion of the Christ, is likely to be among the highest grossing films of all time, perhaps even competing with Titanic for the title. As of last weekend, the movie had grossed more than $200 million, with -- according to the poll -- 11% of all Americans saying they had already seen it. Another 34% of Americans say they expect to see the movie in a theater, and 31% expect to see it when it comes out on DVD or VHS. Titanic grossed about $600 million in the United States and Canada, and about $1 billion worldwide.

Two characteristics are highly related to people's plans to see the movie. The older people are, the less likely they are to see the movie at all and in a movie theater. Also, people who attend church at least monthly are more likely to see the movie than are people who seldom or never attend.

One interesting note: People who attend religious service weekly are no more likely to see the movie in the long run than are people who attend monthly -- but the more frequent churchgoers are more likely to have already seen the movie.

Plans to See The Passion
Compared by Age and Church Attendance

Demographic Characteristics	Movie Plans
	Have seen	Plan to see in theater	Plan to see DVD/VHS	Will not see
	%	%	%	%
Overall	11	34	31	23
Age
18-29	17	40	35	7
30-49	12	31	37	20
50-64	10	37	27	25
65+	6	30	21	41
Church Attendance
Weekly	21	39	23	16
Near weekly/monthly	10	44	27	18
Seldom	5	25	40	30

There are only minor differences in movie plans between men and women, among people of different educational levels, and among people of different regions in the country.

Among people who have watched the movie, reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Seventy-two percent of movie watchers say they have a "very favorable" impression of the movie and another 20% say "favorable." Among all Americans, including those who have not seen the movie but base their opinions on what they have heard or read from other sources, 30% have a "very favorable" and 47% a "favorable" impression.

Impression of The Passion of the Christ
Compared by Movie Plans

March 5-7, 2004

Sixty-four percent of people who have seen the movie also say that the film gave them "a new understanding" of what their religious faith is about. And 78% of filmgoers say the film strengthened their faith.

Though many critics have faulted the movie for its violence, including more than 40 minutes focused on the beating of Christ, the vast majority of people who have seen the film say the violence is necessary for the film's message. Just 13% say there was an unnecessary amount of violence.

Reasons for Seeing the Film

Among the people who have seen or plan to see the movie, 61% say the major reason for seeing it is the film's religious content; 31% cite the publicity the movie has received; and 18% say it is because Mel Gibson made the movie. (This adds to more than 100% because respondents could choose more than one reason.)

[heyheyhey]

I couldn't include all the tables from the article without messing up the HTML. ;)
Please, see the original for rather interesting numbers.

[Salvation]

**One interesting note: People who attend religious service weekly are no more likely to see the movie in the long run than are people who attend monthly -- but the more frequent churchgoers are more likely to have already seen the movie.**

I have already seen it two times. I saw so much more (and heard so much more) the second time. (Cried harder, too.)

[dangus]

**One interesting note: People who attend religious service weekly are no more likely to see the movie in the long run than are people who attend monthly -- but the more frequent churchgoers are more likely to have already seen the movie.**

IOW, people who make a point to get to church each week made a point to see the movie in its first week. People who get to church whenever will likely see the movie whenever. Makes perfect sense. BUt according to this poll, only 1 in 4 people who will have seen the movie in the theater have already done so. Based on its tracking, I'd say it looks like more than half. If all those people actually do see it, it will obliterate the Titanic's record.

Maybe they are waiting for holy week?