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."

[wimpycat]

I think it would be nice if the movie makes a lot of money, but really, that shouldn't be something to hang on for satisfaction. The movie itself is one thing...it's of the world, as are all the vicious critics, and the money is of the world. The message is what is important, and the message does not come from the world. Remember what Jesus said: "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first." (John 15:18) I sure hope Mel Gibson remembers that. I think he does, though.

[Taiwan Bocks]

Anybody know why the moderator has closed so many of the "Passion" links?

The FReeper viewer comments have been incredibly beautiful!

But often the links have been stopped by the moderator. Just curious.

[Terry Mross]

As I stood in line waiting to be allowed in the theater I thought, "Obviously the main stream media isn't having much of an influence on these people."

Also, when I bought tickets there was a sign that said "Parents should learn more about the movie before allowing their children to see it." I turned to a black couple behind me and said, "Parents should teach children more about the Gospels." They both agreed and as I walked away after buying my tickets I heard the lady order two adults and two children." hee hee

[dawn53]

And as I mentioned last night, many people go to church on Wednesday night for mid-week services, so they will probably be waiting till the weekend to go.

[dinok]

"We just got home from seeing it. But "seeing it" isn't the right word. Can't describe it. This is a film for the ages as is the topic."

I need to go back and see it again. The first time one is in shock.

[TomServo]

I'm gonna try and go tomorrow afternoon...

[teresat]

Mel Gibson went out on a limb for what he believed in. That scares the truly liberal crowd because they do not believe in anything, they have no faith nor understanding of the truth.

[SandyEgo]

hmmm - opening on Ash Wednesday was just a fluke?

Personally, I see this movie/promotion as a masive marketing ploy to put Jesus believers/non-believers ~ Jewish/Jew Haters head to head - while bringing in millions of dollars to the producers/studio, while we fight it out.

I know I'm going against the grain here, but I have no intention of seeing this movie in the theater - it sounds to me like the taking of the most beautiful story ever told, and turning it into a "slasher/bloody/gore" horror flick movie - and the more comments it generates, the bigger the profit.

And Mel Gibson is almost giddy each time I see him on tv, promoting this. What is wrong with him?

I haven't seen the movie - perhaps it's fantastic. I just know that when something is hyped as much as this was - it's usually not worth it.

[teresat]

I will go back more than once to see this film.

[NormsRevenge]

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

He works in mysterious ways , his mysteries to unfold.

[teresat]

The movie was not just a marketing ploy it was beautiful. After suffering through countless numbers of Hollywierd movies there was nothing I have ever seen to compare with this. Mel Gibson is truly courageous...

[Fester Chugabrew]

Did "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" open on an Ash Wednesday? No? What day of the week did it open on?

[Unknown Freeper]

Anybody know why the moderator has closed so many of the "Passion" links?

There were too many threads. They are trying to consolidate them.

[Paul Atreides]

I'll tell those detractors something: when I think of the Crucifixion, I think to myself about which side I would have been on. It is easy for those of us living 2000 years later to say which side we would be on, but it would be an entirely different matter back then. The last thing on my mind is collectively blaming the Jewish people.

[GretchenEE]

very interesting

they're going to increase the number of screens this is shown on ...

just so very wonderful

[commish]

They are trying to work all of the freeper reviews and comments to the Main REVUE threads. There are over 100 seperate Passion threads now.

[GretchenEE]

"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."

For all that, folks wouldn't go if they weren't interested. Begging to supplement: This shows the power of prayer and the hunger of the American public for truth, Jesus style. There have been tremendous spiritual forces set to quash this movie from its inception, and they had to be prayed out of the way. Prayed they were!

[marajade]

" ... while bringing in millions of dollars to the producers/studio ..."

The movie was entirely financed by Mel Gibson. So any monetary benefit would go to Gibson himself.

[Northern Yankee]

You're missing something that is truly special if you don't go to see it.

Forget about everything other than the story.

And perhaps the reason that Mel is "giddy" is that many devout Christians have ignored the savage attacks, and are clinging to something that is under constant assault as of late.

I too am usually very reserved in my faith, but I do believe if you choose not to go, you will miss something quite remarkable.

Opening of Ash Wednesday obviously coincides with Lent. Don't misunderstand the marketing ploy, but rather look upon it as a man's devotion to his faith.

God Bless!

[anncoulteriscool]

Most opening nights of movies are usually on a friday night which is a big movie night for alot of people....for Gibson to draw that many people on a wednesday is really spectacular!....Give em hell, mel !