Mel Gibson Film 'Passion' to Debut on 2,000 Screens on February 25

Reuters ^ | Jan. 14, 2004 | Reuters

[jern]

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Sometimes a little faith can go a long way.

Mel Gibson (news)'s controversial new film, "The Passion of Christ," which at first had a hard time finding a distributor, will be independently released on about 2,000 screens in the United States next month, a Gibson spokesman said on Wednesday.

A release on 2,000 screens is similar to what a major studio release would receive.

The movie, whose dialogue is in Latin and Aramaic, covers the final 12 hours in the life of Jesus Christ and has come under fire from some Jewish groups who claim its story could foment anti-Semitism by tying Christ's death to Jewish authorities.

But Catholic and Protestant groups, as well as biblical scholars, have defended the film, saying it sticks closely to accounts of the crucifixion as told in the New Testament.

Pope John Paul (news - web sites) saw the movie in December and told his longtime Polish secretary Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz, "It is as it was," meaning he considered it an authentic portrayal of Gospel accounts, a Vatican (news - web sites) source told Reuters.

Even though Gibson is a high-profile actor and Oscar winning director of films such as "Braveheart," "Passion of Christ" could not find a major motion picture studio that would distribute it due to the controversy.

In October, Gibson's Icon Productions film company and independent movie specialist Newmarket Films agreed to jointly distribute "Passion of Christ" starting on February 25.

Independent films normally start in small releases in only a few theaters. As their popularity grows, the distributor will place the film in hundreds of theaters around the country.

Newmarket's "Whale Rider," for instance, peaked at just over 550 screens this past summer.

[jern]

Why would this be put in Chat? It is a story by Reuters

[JustPiper]

The movie, whose dialogue is in Latin and Aramaic, covers the final 12 hours in the life of Jesus Christ and has come under fire from some Jewish groups who claim its story could foment anti-Semitism by tying Christ's death to Jewish authorities.

I wonder how this movie will be received by FR?

[MaryFromMichigan]

Great news!
As I've said before, I loved the Book, and can't wait to see the movie!!!

[MonroeDNA]

I am pro-Isreal, and will watch the film.

[baseballfanjm]

How do we find out where it will be shown?

When the movie comes out, just go to movies.yahoo.com. That's where I go. If any theatres in your area are showing it when it's released, it should list them.

[Eva]

I know that they won't show the movie around here, our mall didn't even decorate for Christmas.

[apackof2]

I wonder how this movie will be received by FR?,

Who cares?
I'll be one of the first in line to buy a ticket

[baseballfanjm]

Don't worry, Yahoo Movies should list all theatres within driving distance, which extends pretty far where I live. If your theatre doesn't show it, there might be one that does within driving distance.

[JustPiper]

I will go a matinee, tis 1/2 price ;)

[JustPiper]

Are they anti Christmas?!

[Jeff Chandler]

I'm taking the day off work to go to mass, then see the movie.

[clintonh8r]

Good point. I mean, it has nothing to do with Judith Dean.