'Passion' packs auds

Gibson pic hauls $15 mil o'seas; 'Bad' moves

By DON GROVES

The B.O. in many territories got a much needed boost last weekend, thanks to God and mere mortals including Pedro Almodovar, "Starsky & Hutch," "Brother Bear" and Gallic entry "Les Choristes."

The frame's pacesetter, "The Passion of the Christ," hauled in an estimated $15 million in 19 territories, propelling cume to $32.3 million.

Biblical epic rang up $10.1 million on 1,927 screens in nine Latin American countries, handled by 20th Century Fox. This was led by Mexico's $5 million on 950 screens (the territory's second biggest preem behind "Spider-Man"), Brazil's $1.8 million on 521 (a Fox record beating "X-Men 2" and the market's eighth best), Central America's $1 million on 167 and Chile's $709,000 on 42 (both industry highs).

The 18--plus tag in Mexico, which was denounced by director Mel Gibson, who pointed out that films like "Terminator 3" were given more permissive ratings, prevented thousands of potential moviegoers from attending.

The Mexican Episcopal Conference, the nation's highest Catholic authority, approved the film, declaring: "We hope that many families will be able to see it."

Crucifixion tale nailed $698,000 on 114 in Colombia and $496,000 on 98 in Peru, No. 2 of all time and Fox records in both places.

'Passion' trails 'Bear'

"Passion" aroused $2.3 million on 407 locations in Germany, trailing "Brother Bear," which drew $4.7 million on 740, the fourth highest animated debut.

Religious drama has whipped up $8.2 million through its fourth chapter in Oz and $5 million in two weeks in Poland.

"Bear" also triumphed in Austria (snaring $736,000 on 95) and South Africa ($227,000 on 75) but in Russia its $346,000 opener on 105 was trounced by "Torque's" $721,000 on 124.

Buoyed by school vacations in Japan, family pic eased by 11% to $1.6 million, for a juicy $4.8 million in nine days.

Boy-to-bear caper devoured $10.1 million in 55 territories, elevating cume to $115.5 million, eclipsing domestic's $85.2 million.

"Starsky & Hutch" reigned in the U.K., collaring a fab $8.2 million on 429, including sneaks, a local record for Miramax, besting "Scary Movie 3." Factoring in its one-week London platform, the market total is $8.6 million.

Spanish B.O. recovered from the prior weekend's slump in the wake of the terrorist bombings in Madrid, rescued by Almodovar's "Bad Education," which rang up $1.6 million in four days on 158: a career-best bow for the helmer.

A Sony Classics pick-up Stateside, pic benefited from launching on a religious holiday, a hefty campaign from Warner Sogefilms, glowing reviews and the kudos from being selected to open the Cannes fest May 12.

Local media played up the film's portrayal of clerical pedophilia and the announcement by Spain's outgoing Popular Party that it will sue Almodovar for slander after he said the party was planning a coup before the election.

"Hidalgo" cantered into No. 1 again in Spain, based on its $1.5 million three-day take, down just 5%, upping the 10-day tally to $3.4 million.

But the oater corralled a tame $437,000 on 147 in Australia and a so-so $351,000 on 75 in South Korea, and bit the dust in Hong Kong and Israel.

"Les Choristes," 1948-set saga of a music teacher sent to a correctional boarding school, which Miramax has acquired for North America, orchestrated a terrif $4.5 million in France.

Pretty 'Polly'

"Along Came Polly" whistled up $8.9 million from 2,416 playdates in 24 countries, spurring cume to $53.3 million.

Ben Stiller/Jennifer Aniston starrer fetched $467,000 on 87 in Holland and $261,000 on 52 in Taiwan, No.1 in both. It's pocketed a neat $2.9 million in 10 days in Spain (off 9%), $3.9 million in 12 days in France (albeit falling by a worrying 41%), $3.8 million in 10 days in Italy, $8.5 million in 18 days in Germany and $13.1 million in 24 days in Blighty.

"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" minted $7.5 million in 61 countries (declining 30% on the prior weekend), driving cume to $708.9 million.

Blockbuster earned $3.5 million in its sixth stanza in Japan, abating by a trifling 13%, hoisting the territory total to $71.1 million. "King" deflated by 40% after a majestic debut in China, bringing in $2 million, sending the 10-day score to $6.8 million.

"Gothika" ascended to $44.9 million in 30 territories, powered by Italy's $1.3 million on 198, Holland's $463,000 on 41, including sneaks, and Germany's $3.9 million in 11 days (off just 1%). The thriller's only misstep thus far is Japan.

"Mona Lisa Smile" reached $68 million helped by South Korea's mediocre $364,000 on 72 and the U.K.'s $4.9 million in 11 days, slipping by 26%. Julia Roberts vehicle is yet to play in Japan and Russia.

"Something's Gotta Give" banked $5 million in 50 territories, pushing cume to $111.6 million, with Japan ahead. Warner stablemates "The Last Samurai" climbed to $339.3 million and "Mystic River" edged up to $63.2 million.

(John Hopewell in Madrid and Ken Bensinger in Mexico City contributed to this report).