Mel Gibson Film '5th Largest Opening in History'

Newsmax ^ | 2-26-04 | Carl Limbacher

[truthandlife]

In the face of a vicious and sustained campaign attacking both Mel Gibson and his film "The Passion of the Christ" the opening day box office receipts Wednesday soared to $23.5 million with an additional $3 million take in advance screenings held Monday and Tuesday.

The film opened on 4,600 screens in 3,006 theaters on Wednesday.

According to the New York Times which has been in an attack mode against Gibson and his film since he first began filming the Passion, it was the fifth largest opening in Hollywood history with "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," hanging on to first place with opening day receipts of $34.4 million.

Industry experts told the Times that the box-office figure was astonishing for an extremely violent, R-rated, religious film in Aramaic and Latin with English subtitles.

"This number would be impressive for a mainstream blockbuster, let alone a subtitled historical-religious epic," Paul Dergarabedian, president of Exhibitor Relations, which tracks ticket sales told the Times. "This shows the power of public discourse with regard to religious topics and the effect a full-blown media blitz can have on the public."

Bob Berney, president of Newmarket Films, which is distributing the picture, told the Times he expected the number of theaters to increase slightly next week because of the intense interest. The film is already moving to more screens on Friday, for a total of 4,793 in 3,043 theaters.

"The success of the film so far is incredible, and it's across the board," Berney told the Times adding that theaters were packed not just in Bible Belt cities like Houston and Oklahoma City, but also at the AMC theater on 42nd Street in Manhattan and the soaring ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood. The Times reported that some producers and studio executives said the film would probably take in $75 million by the close of the weekend and, if attendance continued to hold up, could take in as much as $100 million in the first five days.

"My feeling is these people will go back more than once," Mr. Berney said. "And with this kind of number, people who are not part of churches will go just out of feeling that they've got to see it, a curiosity. I don't know how long it will go," he added "but there will be enough repeat business to sustain it for quite a while."

[Lily4Jesus]

I agree. Most every one coming out of the movie is an a state of shock, nummed, but way until you get home and the reaction starts. Can't stop crying. No words to discribe it. GOD works on each one of us in a different way through this movie.

[NordP]

This is most excellent news!

YOU GO MEL!!!

NordP (10 days older than Mel)

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

I'm already hearing people who saw it saying the same thing, that they will go back again,

We are going next week and I can't wait!!

Everyone we know who has "SEEN it" has had nothing but positive things to say about it. NOT ONE NEGATIVE!! NOT ONE!

[Ronzo]

Let's be logical here. There are tons of kids starving at this moment, there are murders, there are wars, there is suffering everywhere, and he chooses to personally have one of his "followers" make a movie-- about how when God was visiting earth, his own chosen people arrested him under false charges, then called him a blasphemer because he identified himself as God, (It ain't blasphemy if it's true...) then was handed over to the pagan Romans, where they demanded that he be punished by means of the most cruel, heartless form of punishment known in the world at that time. Then, instead of wiping them off the face of the earth with a mere sweep of his hand, God allows them to hit, whip, and insult him with total impunity!!! Then he goes so far as to forgive them, because they didn't know what they were doing!!! Through the whole process, he doesn't lift a finger to stop them, nor does he cry out in anger.

Yeah, I guess he wanted to make sure people remembered what they did to HIM, in case they were wondering why there was so much pain and suffering in the world...

[per loin]

I'm not a religious person either, but have known since I first heard of the film that I'd be there on opening day. Mel has created a masterpiece, both spiritually and aesthetically. It's not only a must see, but a must resee.

[AnnaZ]

Ohmigosh that was funny.

Ohmigosh that was funny.

[ducks1944]

Me also, I have not been to theater in over 25 years, but I will go and see this movie again.

[ducks1944]

Me also, I have not been to theater in over 25 years, but I will go and see this movie again.

[ConservativeTeen]

I witnessed the same thing, the theater was silent after the movie, we were all in a state of shock. There were tears coming out of my eyes during the movie, and I am really not what some people would consider an emotional person. I couldn't help it, just thinking about Christ's sacrifice and how He loves so much, that He went through all of that pain for us.

[bellas_sister]

...and the soaring ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood.

I was part of that, on Tues. midnite at the Cinerama Dome (at the Arclight) with two of my frinds.... it was incredible...

[bellas_sister]

exactly... our church is having a Kids Game Nite and the whole church is going on Friday at 7:30.....

[right way right]

To your Post #93

God is after your heart !
He is not your personal body guard!

We exist for God he does not exist for us.

Since you blame God for bad things .
Who do you blame for the good things?

By your logic since I am a Christian I guess its okay for me to cross the street before looking both ways after all God will protect me right?

We are in our flesh as a result of our sin and separated from God.

Bad things can happen because we are in this state of flesh.

through the belief and acceptance of the Holy Spirit which comes when Christ is requested by the heart in each individual one at a time we gain the insight and recognize our own relationship through the Son.

True Life is knowing the eternal one.

The place of no suffering is Heaven.

It is good that you ask these questions that you do. I would suggest that you keep doing it.

[TxBec]

A Wednesday as well, I believe

[TxBec]

It's guuud! :)

[ECM]

"...the soaring ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood."

I was there at midnight on Tuesday/Wednesday and the place was packed to the walls with people crying from all corners.

Truly something to see/experience in this town...

[RamingtonStall]

Ref: The movie is not about money now, even though this movie will set the record at the box. This movie will set records after the box, in cd's and tapes.

I hope I didn't give the impression that I felt it was about the money. I was commenting on the euphoria that Mel is experiencing at the completion of a Very Successful Project.

RamS

[Dataman]

WHY CAN'T THEY JUST SAY "HIGHEST GROSSING OPENING EVER FOR AN "R"-RATED FILM"? IT IS THE TRUTH. They just refuse to give Mel any credit at all.

Chuck Norris said on Hannity and Costello last night that the film made over $28 million.

[kittymyrib]

Yes, Good Friday will be huge...a natural time to see or re-see this film. That's when my son and his friends plan to go. We pre-bought our tickets for this afternoon, because we wanted it to count toward the opening weekend numbers that Hollywierd worships so.

[Elsie]

Now the movie is finally out and many people get to see who Jesus is ("The Savior of the World") and gets to see to the ultimate in sacrificial love. It is not pretty to see but it shows how much God truly loves us.

---

"He's praying for YOU!"

TPOTC

[q_an_a]

want to have a great Lent? go see this movie once a week. go to a garden and walk the stations of the cross. people who "accept death" accomplish more in their life than the procrastinators.