Posted on 03/16/2005 10:25:17 AM PST by My Favorite Headache
'Robots' Rivets, 'Passion' Fails to Rise Again by Brandon Gray March 15, 2005
Almost as phenomenal a failure as it was a blockbuster last year, the trimmed The Passion of the Christ re-release, The Passion Recut, drew $223,789 from 954 venues—averaging a paltry $234 per site. Director Mel Gibson and distributor Newmarket expected more business in the hope of making The Passion an Easter tradition, but fans of the movie were not devout enough after seeing it in droves in its $370.3 million original run and on DVD—which is far cheaper than a night at the picture show and the main threat to theatrical re-releases in this digital age.
The dismal returns of The Passion Recut may suggest that The Passion of the Christ was an of-the-moment cultural event last year. It was a statement in favor of a religious incumbent in a presidential election year, heightened by the war and the perceived nihilism of Hollywood. At the time, Mr. Gibson explained why he regarded the graphic violence as necessary to the story, and the audience generally agreed. By shearing six minutes of gore to attract those who might have otherwise found it unsettling, he contradicts his previously stated views and seems willing to compromise his hard fought artistic vision for a few extra bucks.
The Passion Recut was all for naught. Those who criticized the movie's extreme violence most vocally were fundamentally opposed to The Passion in the first place. They were not simply squeamish Christians. Less violence appears to have alienated the picture's fan base and failed to convert non-believers, while the editing has undermined Mr. Gibson's status as the David versus Goliath Hollywood.
(Excerpt) Read more at boxofficemojo.com ...
TOO SOON!! Try again in 5 years, Mel.
Even that probably wouldn't have helped. The time of the re-release is past, and the cycle was never one year. People contemplating a re-release need to look at the Disney model, they were the kings of re-release, they had the cycle down to a science and knew exactly how to advertise it. And notice Disney has bailed on the re-release concept, most of the classics got one last run before the DVD release and that was that. It's kind of sad too, I actually saw Jaws 4 different times and only 2 of those were during the same release, unless you've got the multi-thousand dollar home theater system nothing beats the cinema for watching movies.
They might not have been the usual movie demographic, but this re-release is proving that except for their taste in movies they act just like the usual demographic. He should have waited until 07 or 08, there might have been a re-release audience then.
We still love you Mel!
yeah, not enough blood 'n gore in this version. who would want to see a story about the life of Christ without all the smiting?
There used to be a lot more independent movie theaters that would screen old movies on a regular basis. We don't really see that anymore.
"We still love you Mel!"
Ditto that!
"A lot of people would never want to see it more than once."
Why anyone would WANT to see such brutality of the Lord more than once - or need to - is beyond me.
Better than watching the movie, read the Bible and let your mind draw the imagery for you. Movies are never as good as the book (or in this case, the Book!) anyways.
I seldom go to a movie theater, and I NEVER go to a theater to see a movie twice. If I really like a movie, I buy the DVD.
And the screen to movie ratio was a lot friendlier too. These days it's hard for a theater manager to find a reason to keep a movie showing past week 4, back then they'd keep a hit in theaters forever. I remember the first Indiana Jones movie was in this one theater in town for over a year, then they pulled it for two week and brought it back for a "return engagement" for over a month, I think they were getting fresher prints, and that theater only had 4 screens. Of course back then there might not even be new movies released during the slow times (like February) and even a "busy" Summer blockbuster weekend would rarely see more than 3 releases in a week. Now they release 3 or 4 movies a week in the slow times and Summer is just psychotic. That theater that showed Indy for a year now has 20 screens and never shows anything for more than 2 months, they just can't spare the screen space.
"YES, I saw The Passion when it originally came out. It was just too much - it focused far more on the method of Christ's death (and the sadism of the Romans) and His agony than it did His ministry, His sacrifice, His atonement for the sins of the world, and His resurrection. The strongest message the film gave was, "OW! That really had to hurt!", "Ewww! That's gross!", and "Wow! I can't believe He went through all that for me." Yes, the latter is a good message but one that could have been achieved without having to wade through all of the gratuitous blood and gore. How do I know this? I've seen it done in other much lesser known films."
I, for one, agree whole-heartedly with this review.
That's exactly where I am. I keep intending to buy the DVD, and will.
But I don't think I could emotionally handle watching it again.
I agree. I bought the DVD, watched it once and I still think about it. I've yet to watch it a second time.
Gibson should take a cue from the Germans. The Passion Play in Oberammergau is performed once every 10 years.
http://www.oberammergau.de/ot_e/passionplay/index.htm
"For those of you who went into stores the day after Valentine's Day to buy Easter candy, I say Bah Humbug."
You have to buy them the day after Valentines. It's the only way to make sure that the Marshmallow Peeps will be fresh, and not months old marshmallow.
By RISK, I mean, having to be mopped up off the floor after the show.
my reaction exactly. it is watered down, why go to the theater to see LESS than what i have at home on DVD. i plan on making it a holy week tradition at our house to sit down and watch it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.