This is topic Audience Reactions to THE PASSION in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.


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Posted by Mark Lensenmayer (Member # 134) on 02-25-2004, 06:35 AM:
 
I'm interested in hearing how audiences are reacting to the film. It also might be interesting to compare the reactions of church audiences to the general public. What are you hearing from your patrons? Any walkouts over the violence? Are some groups bringing young children?

I think you are going to be seeing some people in the theatres who haven't been to a film showing for a long time.
 

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Posted by Eric Hooper (Member # 1730) on 02-25-2004, 09:37 AM:
 
The newspaper reviews have not been generally favorable. They warn of the extreme violence and state the film should have been rated NC-17. I too am very interested hearing audiences reactions to it. (I personally hope it angers enough people to cause a backlash against the film, and the bad word of mouth spreads quickly and the film is gone in two weeks and Mel Gibson never works in Hollywood again.)
 

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Posted by Jeremy Fuentes (Member # 2135) on 02-25-2004, 10:34 AM:
 
Eric, is the film that upsetting to you, or do you just have something against Mel Gibson?
 

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Posted by Eric Hooper (Member # 1730) on 02-25-2004, 10:49 AM:
 
Oh neither, I just think it's funny when the media over-hypes something and it ends up being more negative than positive in the end. (i.e. Matrix Reloaded). Don't get me wrong, this film is great for business!!!
 

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Posted by Jeremy Fuentes (Member # 2135) on 02-25-2004, 10:58 AM:
 
Oh ok. Its gonna be great for business for everybody. Its definitely gonna help us through this otherwise slow time of the year. Like Mark said, we are going to have people at the theater that have not been in a while. A great presentation is the key to keep them coming back, and thats what Im hoping for. A reaction to the presentation as well as the film.
 

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Posted by Ian Price (Member # 14) on 02-25-2004, 01:58 PM:
 
So far and the 1st show is still running, The Passion of the Christ is a popcorn movie.

Our percap is $2.14 for the 10:30 AM show. Normaly our percap is about $1.65 and in the morning it is a lot lower. Lots of people bought large popcorns.

Audience reaction to follow.
 

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Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 02-25-2004, 03:09 PM:
 
Eric,

I beg to differ when you said the newspaper reviews has not been favorable. "THE PASSION OF CHRIST" so far has received about 70 percent favorable reviews from the press. The only unfavorable comments I have been hearing has been the use of excessive violence depicting the way the Lord was beaten and nailed to the cross. What is most impressive is the acceptance of the film by the various church organizations after viewing a rough unfinished version late last year. I have also heard how people just sat there during the credits and applauding when the film was over and some leaving the theatre in tears. Personally, I would like to see this film succeed and I am very happy the hype the movie had received so far will help the film achieve that goal.

Like you, I have not yet seen the film. With all of the positive praise the film has received, I am looking forward to seeing it hopefully this weekend and I know I will be very touched by the suffering our Lord has been subjected to during the last hours of his life on Earth.

-Claude
 

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Posted by Mark Lensenmayer (Member # 134) on 02-25-2004, 03:19 PM:
 
Rotten Tomatoes reports the film has 39 positive reviews out of 74, for a 53% positive rating.

Rotten Tomatoes Link
 

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Posted by David Favel (Member # 1125) on 02-25-2004, 03:35 PM:
 
Reactions, most church goers are shocked & awed, much like reactions coming out of Pvt Ryan
 

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Posted by Mark Lensenmayer (Member # 134) on 02-25-2004, 05:42 PM:
 
Matt Drudge has this to report. Hope none of you were involved in this:

HEART ATTACK DURING 'PASSION OF CHRIST'; WOMAN PRONOUNCED DEAD AFTER VIEWING FILM IN KANSAS
Wed Feb 25 2004 16:09:33 ET

KAKE TV in Wichita, Kansas set to report a woman, in her 50s, suffered a heart attack during a morning screening of Mel Gibson's controversial film PASSION OF THE CHRIST.

"She later died at the hospital," a station source tells the DRUDGE REPORT.

Scheduled to be lead story on the station's 5 PM news. "She went into seizure during one of the film's most dramatic moments," a station source explains.

The woman attended a 9:30am screening, first public viewing at Warren East Theaters in Wichita...

Developing...
 

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Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 02-25-2004, 05:51 PM:
 
Might be just coincindence.

There's no telling where you'll be when you kick the bucket. The odds say one of the more likely locations is the toilet. How embarrasing. How often do people expire in movie theaters?
 

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Posted by Bill Carter (Member # 156) on 02-25-2004, 07:12 PM:
 
The audience leaving our first show was absolutely silent. I don't think I heard a single word spoken, they just all sort of filed out with their heads down.
 

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Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 02-25-2004, 07:58 PM:
 
Bill, I thought you worked for an imaging concern?
 

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Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 02-25-2004, 08:58 PM:
 
Not sure which of the several TPOTC threads to put this in. Anyway all the local TV stations ran stories on this tonight, including interviews with patrons exiting the film. Amazingly, one station had about 20 seconds of footage of the film running, video'd right from the screen. It looked surprisingly good too. Someone call Jack Valenti!!

(I'm not gonna tell you what theater it was though)
 

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Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 02-25-2004, 09:05 PM:
 
OK, which station was it?
 

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Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 02-25-2004, 09:07 PM:
 

quote:

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Not sure which of the several TPOTC threads to put this in. Anyway all the local TV stations ran stories on this tonight, including interviews with patrons exiting the film. Amazingly, one station had about 20 seconds of footage of the film running, video'd right from the screen. It looked surprisingly good too. Someone call Jack Valenti!!

(I'm not gonna tell you what theater it was though)

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quote:

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An estimated 6,000 people filled all 20 auditoriums at a Cinemark theater in this Dallas suburb to watch the film, which features Skagit County native Jim Caviezel in the role of Jesus. All the tickets had been bought and donated by a local churchgoer.

‘‘I hope everybody sees it with an open mind,'' said Rick Pierce, 53, a Baptist who sipped coffee and chewed on a breakfast burrito at the theater before the first showing.

He said he was in tears during the film.

"It's the kind of crying knowing that somebody would do something for me, even though I didn't deserve it. It's the greatest love story there is," he said.

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Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 02-25-2004, 09:51 PM:
 
I'd bet that the tone of the "exit poles" will fairly accurately reflect the convictions of the general neighborhood. The news media seems bent on highlighting the graphic violence and searching out negative comments.

I spent some time in what might be considered Southern Oregon's hotbed of religious fervor... and I'd be surprised if this show isn't sold out for at least a week.

On the other hand, one of Seattle's news stations sent a reporter to find a theatre that didn't have much of a line... 6, to be exact, though the people the reporter interviewed were very positive about the experience.

Today, we probably set our theatre's record for a weekday, non-holiday opening. The weekend ought to be pretty interesting.
 

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Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 02-25-2004, 11:47 PM:
 
Daryl, I'll give you a clue: They're an affliate of a large national network that's typically referred to using a 3 letter abbreviation.
 

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Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 02-25-2004, 11:52 PM:
 
Let me guess, one of those letters are a 'C', right?
 

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Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 02-25-2004, 11:55 PM:
 
Yes, so that rules out Fox and UPN.
 

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Posted by Wolff King Morrow (Member # 2226) on 02-26-2004, 01:00 AM:
 
Edit:

My apologies for editing my posts. I was informed by my employers that I am not allowed to discuss anything pertaining to operation, proceedures, profits, or wages of the company I work for on this or any other public media. Please note I was NOT aware of such a policy, so I apologize for the disruption of the thread.

Thanks for your understanding on this. -Wolff

[ 03-02-2004, 09:52 PM: Message edited by: Wolff King Morrow ]
 

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Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 02-26-2004, 01:31 AM:
 
Heh heh, stock up your concession stands with those pocket-sized packs of facial tissues. Maybe even hand them out at the doors.

I'm hoping to catch this one this weekend.
 

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Posted by Richard Greco (Member # 2032) on 02-26-2004, 06:36 AM:
 
We had a teen group in there yesterday at 4:30 and when we went to clean it, there were many groups crying. One girl was crying so uncontrollably that one of our managers consoled her for about 5 mins. At our 9:30 show, we had 1 lady who had to sit down after she stood up because she felt so weak. Her family consoled her for a few more minutes.

The reaction to the film has been amazing. We had lines to the parking lot last night and I've never seen that before.
 

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Posted by Kevin Wale (Member # 1851) on 02-26-2004, 07:41 AM:
 
I posted a review in the film handlers movie reviews forum and it seems the general concensus is quite similar to how I reacted to it...

http://www.film-tech.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000731
 

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Posted by Brad Allen (Member # 470) on 02-26-2004, 12:18 PM:
 
From our showings last night, the response has been very positive. Majority of people staying thru credits, lots of weeping by males and females. All comments heard were very positive.
Yep, my concession sales were a-ok as well. Better than expected.
Last nights show was sold out by Monday eve. The crowd was lined up at the front door, 1hr before showtime. Incredible.

I must say, show some respect, don't go in to clean while folks are still in the auditorium. I saw lots of red eyes leaving last night.
 

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Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 02-26-2004, 03:00 PM:
 
Yes, give people a chance to collect themselves before the cleaning crew rushes in.

Concessions Boost Theory: When you know you're going to be clobbered emotionally by what you're about to see, maybe you get some kind of subliminal comfort or reassurance from having a bag of popcorn in your hands to munch on. Helps you maintain a little distance from the horror. I dunno.
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 02-26-2004, 07:41 PM:
 
I've got the print running through every screen tonight to a sold out complex. We have already had 2 people who couldn't handle it. The paramedics recommended we keep the temperature in the theaters a few degrees cooler, as the warmer climate coupled with the subject material apparently makes it easier for people to pass out and such.
 

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Posted by Michael Gonzalez (Member # 593) on 02-26-2004, 10:52 PM:
 
Has anyone else had to deal with customers with a somewhat advance sence of entitlement (bordering on rudeness). The people coming to see this movie have been very demanding to say the least. I was pratically yelled at yesterday because the only available seats were up front and they didnt want to sit there. They have also been extreamly inpatient at the concession stand even though the lines have not been that long. I had one older guy cut in front of another customer and didn't even seem to care.

We are also getting a lot of people bringing in their kids. One lady brought her granddaughters ages 6 and 7 one of which promptly during one of the scenes during the movie. And of course the grandmother wanted a refund somepeople
 

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Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 02-26-2004, 11:14 PM:
 

quote:

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I was pratically yelled at yesterday because the only available seats were up front and they didnt want to sit there.

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If the seats were ones right up front, put there solely to raise the house allowance, I'd be pissed off too. Any company that requires that those seats be sold before a show is considered sold out is a pretty lousy company IMHO.
 

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Posted by Chris Medley (Member # 2145) on 02-27-2004, 08:23 AM:
 
Daryl-Many chains...mine included require a very high percentage of seats to be sold before it is considered a sell out. Maybe smaller plexs or private houses can get around that...but for many of us...it's the corp. wheel diving us. The pressure to fill the houses is even higher for Passion because it is selling out every single show except for the late late ones.
 

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Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 02-27-2004, 08:37 AM:
 
Fits in with my posting in another thread that audiences are sometimes forced to sit even the neck-craning "booker seats".
The reality is that modern theatre designs put many seats closer than 2 image heights, and some even closer than 1 image height. That requires care to present a good image on the screen, with excellent sharpness, and artifacts that are not distracting from the presentation.
 

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Posted by Michael Gonzalez (Member # 593) on 02-27-2004, 09:24 AM:
 
Also except for our smallest houses, all our screens have a small stage area directly in front of the screen so there really isn't a "front row" anyway.
 

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Posted by Ian Price (Member # 14) on 02-27-2004, 11:42 AM:
 
I've got a solution for those rude customers.


 

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Posted by Brad Allen (Member # 470) on 02-27-2004, 12:13 PM:
 

quote:

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Has anyone else had to deal with customers with a somewhat advance sence of entitlement (bordering on rudeness). The people coming to see this movie have been very demanding to say the least.

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quote:

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Many chains...mine included require a very high percentage of seats to be sold before it is considered a sell out.

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I know where you're coming from. I've had to ignore those rules is the past, but after standing my ground with corporate office (or in some cases just the indie owner) and pointing out how many refunds are normally handed out to people that come out (rightfully) complaining about the crappy seats up front, they've all been quite understanding.

Like I said, any company who's policy is to purposely sell those seats is a crappy company that doesn't care that much for its customers. I think that fits right in line with most chains.
 

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Posted by Paul Goulet (Member # 297) on 02-28-2004, 10:38 AM:
 
Last night was a strange night...We had a customer ask if we had a "English Version" of the movie playing... He didn't feel like reading the subtitles..Then not a minute later, another person came out and asked us if we knew that they weren't speaking english in the movie..
 

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Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 02-28-2004, 11:56 AM:
 
Interesting. I've had none of the rudeness. We've had a very adult crowd... happy to get in, glad for the free Kleenex when they come out. Our auditorium has cleaned up faster for this crowd than for any other kind we've had here.

One exception though... we towed out a van that was parked in a handicapped unloading slot. As it turned out, the owner was in OUR business, watching.... you guessed it! We heard some very un-Christian-like commentary last night!
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 02-29-2004, 02:29 PM:
 
"Yep, and I find this typical of "Self Proclaimed Christians" in general."

This is so true. I used to work at a Christian television station and witnessed this way to many times. They all seem to be on an ego trip.

Mark
 

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Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 02-29-2004, 04:25 PM:
 

quote:

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We've had a very adult crowd... happy to get in, glad for the free Kleenex when they come out.

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Ya know Jack, sounds like you were running a porno movie...

>>> Phil
 

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Posted by Ian Price (Member # 14) on 02-29-2004, 04:32 PM:
 
Sunday seems to be kid day here that the Passion of the Christ. I told one mom that the film was exceedingly violent and that perhaps it wasn't suitable for your 10-year-old. She said that she had "prayed" on it and that she decided that it was OK. There are about 12 kids 15 and under in The Passion of the Christ this afternoon.
 

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Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 02-29-2004, 04:42 PM:
 
I viewed "The Passion" at our nearest plex (Coming Attractions' Crescent Cinemas in Crescent City, CA) and asked Matt, the manager, afterwards how the crowds have been. He reported it is the most popular thing he has going on his eight screens and that the crowds have been very quiet as they exit, some of them weeping. He has had no stupid questions or behavior problems with the crowds attending "The Passion". I attended the 6:15pm Saturday showing which was sold out. There were no kids in the crowd.
 

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Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 02-29-2004, 06:55 PM:
 
Re bringing kids: After seeing it myself, I wouldn't even consider taking any kid under the age of about 13. Even with younger teens I think it has to be carefully considered on an individual basis. This is not the same as a Freddy vs. Jason.

Cinemark has a reminder warning notice about the R rating posted in the box office window.
 

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Posted by Jeremy Fuentes (Member # 2135) on 02-29-2004, 10:33 PM:
 
We have had a very positive reaction from our customers. Alot of repeat customers on Friday and Saturday, and compliments from church groups about the way we had things organized. Some of the church people have been surprisingly rude, but just a few here and there. On Saturday and Sunday a couple of the churches have stayed after and help us clean. One told us ahead of time that they were going to help, and the others saw us cleaning as they were exiting and decided to lend a hand. It was a nice gesture that we werent expecting.
 

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Posted by Edward Jurich (Member # 1787) on 03-04-2004, 11:13 AM:
 
Woman brought in 2 younger (8 - 10 years) kids. About 45 minutes in she had both kids in the lobby, little girl looked horrified and younger brother was in tears. Anyone bringing in kids are warned before tickets are sold.
 

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Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 03-04-2004, 12:04 PM:
 
Any parent who takes kids that young to see this is a fool.
 

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