O'seas auds lick chops over Scott's 'Hannibal'

'Women' tops Hopkins in Teuton territory

By DON GROVES

Auds dined out on "Hannibal" around the world over the weekend as Ridley Scott's shockfest had socko preems in Spain, Mexico and Argentina and maintained its ascendancy in its soph sessions in the U.K. and Australia.

But Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt are proving to be more alluring in Germany and Austria, where "What Women Want" ruled again in its second frame, with "Hannibal" a solid No. 2. The pecking order was the same in Italy, where both titles are in their third lap.

The serial killer saga fetched an estimated $1.3 million in two days on 247 prints in Spain, $1 million on 287 in Mexico and $875,000 on 74 in Argentina. The Anthony Hopkins/Julianne Moore starrer snared roughly $3.6 million on 418 screens Friday-Saturday in the U.K., ahead of "The Emperor's New Groove," which drummed up approximately $1.8 million in its second turn on 422. In Oz, "Hannibal" captured some $939,000 on 193 Thursday through Sunday, eclipsing Cameron Crowe's "Almost Famous," which initialed with a tepid $418,000 on 184, including $183,000 from previews.

"What Women Want" scored an estimated $3.7 million on 649 prints Thursday-Saturday in Germany, comfortably beating "Hannibal's" $2.4 million on 537.

"Vertical Limit" entered France with roughly $1.7 million in four days on 602, placed third behind powerhouse Gallic comedy "La verite si je mens 2" in its third round and "What Women Want" in its second.

Martin Campbell's mountaineering adventure opened in Italy with a sturdy $932,000 in two days on 278 and in Belgium with a so-so $340,000 in four days on 55, including $100,000 from sneaks.

The omens are not propitious for domestic misfire "Finding Forrester," judging by its first offshore tryout in the U.K. Gus Van Sant's drama mustered just $382,000 on 255 Friday-Saturday, including $15,000 from previews the prior Saturday, as adults clearly preferred "Hannibal" and "What Women Want."

Down Under, "Men of Honor" checked in at No. 3, coining a fair $495,000 in four days on 162, including previews. Lasse Hallstrom's "Chocolat" whipped up a terrif $365,000 in its second lap on 59, while "Pay It Forward" unspooled with a meek $377,000 on 153.

It seems "Little Nicky" is destined to be unloved abroad as Adam Sandler's pic received yet another indifferent response, this time in Germany. Pic scraped up just $375,000 in three days on 359.