MEL GIBSON'S "THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST" UPDATE
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THANK YOU AGAIN!
Again, we wish thank the many supporters of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ"! Your dedication and enthusiasm are proving to be very effective.
RELEASE DATES - LESS THAN 17 DAYS FOR MANY COUNTRIES!
We have official and "rumored" release dates for more countries. As you know, the US release date is February 25, 2004. Here is what else we now know: Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are scheduled for February 25, 2004 as well. The film is scheduled to open in the UK and Ireland on March 26, 2004. We have heard rumors that it will open in Mexico and Latin America sometime in April. As we find out more release dates, we'll let you know and also have it posted on our website.
WILL IT PLAY IN YOUR AREA?!
MANY of you have asked us if the film is going to be playing in your area. We now have a resource for those living in the US. Visit the below link and click on "FIND OUT HOW FAR THE CLOSEST THEATER IS." It is actually the form to order advance tickets; however, you can actually use it to find how many miles away the closest theater showing the film is! You just enter in your name and address information (no billing info required) and it will then tell you how many miles away the closest theater is. If a theater showing the film is close, we encourage you to consider the purchase of advance tickets. This is the best way to show your support for the film. A man in Texas bought 6,000 advance tickets for his church and friends and another large Church recently purchased 30,000 advance tickets (there are even rumors one group even secured 100,000 tickets). Advance tickets are a great way to show your support! To find the distance to the closest theater and to order advance tickets, visit the below link:
http://www.passion-movie.com/english/tickets.html
WHAT IF IT IS NOT PLAYING IN MY AREA?!
Regretfully, there are a few places in the US where the closest theater showing the film may be over 100 miles away. What can you do if this happens other than driving those 100 miles away to see the film? We have two suggestions. First, we suggest you call your local theater and ask them to consider carrying the film and tell your friends in your area to do the same. This makes the theater owner consider carrying it if he's convinced enough people will really come out to see the film. You can also use the petition on our website that has already proven to be very effective for many people, especially when sponsored by a church. That petition can be found here:
http://www.passion-movie.com/promote/petition.html
QUESTIONS ABOUT ADVANCE TICKETS
Some of you in the US had additional questions about the advance ticket program, so we have added a "Common Ticket Questions" section to our website. That can be found here:
http://www.passion-movie.com/english/tickets2.html
CAN I SEND MEL GIBSON A MESSAGE OF ENCOURAGMENT?
Yes! Many of you had asked and even sent us messages of encouragment for Mel Gibson. There is now a web page setup specifically for you to send him a message of support. We encourage you to show your support this way as well. Click here for more details:
http://www.passion-movie.com/english/thanks_MEL.html
GIBSON TO APPEAR ON US's ABC PRIMETIME
For those in the US, you now have a chance to see Mel Gibson interviewed about "The Passion of the Christ." Gibson has done very little, if any, interviews regarding the film, so this should be very insightful. Diane Sawyer will interview Mel Gibson and it will air on a special edition of "Primetime," in which Mel Gibson will address the controversy surrounding the film. The interview will air on Monday, February 16 from 10:00-11:00pm ET (9:00 p.m. CT.) on the ABC Television Network. This will air only 9 days before the film is released!
MORE NEWS AND FAQ's!
The film has received its official rating in the US and it will be rated R. Many of you have asked why it would be rated R inquiring if the film contained nudity or foul language. Please visit our FAQ section for all the details. Is the Anti-Defamation League (the grouping leading the anti-semitism claims) actually helping "The Passion of The Christ"? Did Jewish groups in Australia give an "OK" to the film? Did Mel Gibson cut a scene from the film to appease the anti-defamation claims? Is it true that some prints of the film with have Spanish sub-titles for select theaters in the US? For the answers to these questions and many more, please visit our NEWS and FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):
NEWS -
http://www.passion-movie.com/english/news.asp
FAQ -
http://www.passion-movie.com/english/faq.html
HOW CAN I SUPPORT "The Passion of The Christ"
Many of you ask us, "What else can I do to help promote Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ"?" We have even more tools available to you now. To start, please check out our "Promote Passion" section of our website for the latest:
http://www.passion-movie.com/english/support.html
WANT TO SPONSOR A PASSION TV TRAILER COMMERCIAL?
A POWERFUL way to help promote the film and your church or business is by sponsoring a "The Passion of The Christ" TV trailer. (If you live in the US, this service is available to you.) The commercials are designed for churches, Christian businesses and individuals who want to partner with this movie event. It is designed to build a bridge from the theater to the local church or Christian business and to drive viewers to the theater to see the film. For more information, please visit:
http://www.passioncommercial.com/
FREE POSTERS, POSTCARDS, DOOR HANGERS AND MORE!
FREE Posters, Door Hangers, Buck Slips, Postcards and more! Yes, these latest materials are FREE - you only pay for shipping and handling. They are not only powerful, but they are also great in helping to promote awareness of the film. (US only)
http://www.passion-movie.com/english/store2.html
WEB LINKS AND FLYERS
You can help promote awareness about the film and the availability advance ticket sales. We now have new and updated web banners. We also have flyers that you can print out on your own printer for promotional purposes as well. Also, check out our new "Flash Countdown Banner". It counts down the days, hours, and seconds until the release date on February 25, 2004!
http://www.passion-movie.com/promote/banner2.html
MOVIE SOUNDTRACK AVAILABLE
John Debney was chosen to compose the music for this amazing and moving soundtrack. John Debney has lengthy portfolio of soundtracks including Bruce Almighty (ironic?), Elf, The Tuxedo, Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, End of Days, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and many many more. The soundtrack is now available for pre-order. We have more information about the soundtrack and even have samples of it for you to hear. It is truly inspiring and is the perfect compliment to Mel Gibson's stunning visuals. Click the below link for more details, hear samples, and to pre-order your copy today:
http://www.passion-movie.com/promote/soundtrack.html
WHAT BOOK INSPIRED MEL GIBSON?
Mel Gibson was inspired to make the film because of a book that he accidentally stumbled upon. The book is called "The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ." To find out more about the book and to order it, please visit our website. We even have an audio quote of him talking about the book and how he first came to think about making the film over 10 years ago:
http://www.passion-movie.com/promote/book.html
NEW OFFICIAL "THE PASSION" BOOK
"THE PASSION" BOOK is 160 pages long and is FILLED with pictures from Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ". The book is a visual portrayal of the last twelve hours in the life of Jesus using gripping photos. This will be the public's first chance to get a glimpse at the film! This book has arrived and may ship as early as the week of February 9th to 13th. The book contains a lengthy and insightful foreword by Mel Gibson. Click here to see some of the photos, and you can even read an excerpt from Mel Gibson's foreword. These already going fast so reserve your copy today! (US only)
http://www.passion-movie.com/promote/passion_book.html
100 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - A GUIDE TO THE PASSION BOOK
There is no doubt that many questions will be raised by Mel Gibson's powerful film by believers and non-believers. This new book provides an insightful scene-by-scene analysis of the film using 100 questions and answers that will enrich the movie going experience and lead seekers to a deeper faith in Christ. For more information, click the link below:
http://www.passion-movie.com/promote/passion_guide.html