The movie The Da Vinci Code has proven a box-office hit around the world, including Shanghai, since it debuted last Friday.

 

When I arrived at the Stellar Cinema City at 4:30PM yesterday (Tuesday), I found there were only tickets left for the screenings after 9PM. The manager of the cinema Cao Gang said the movie has been very popular since it opened Friday evening.

 

"Almost all the tickets were sold for screenings during the weekend and for screenings on Monday and Tuesday evenings."

 

The highly anticipated religious thriller was the most successful movie since late last year, according to Cao Gang. The cinema now has about 30 screenings everyday to meet the demand.

 

The movie's simultaneous opening around the world has kept many viewers away from pirated DVDs. The success of the original book and earlier promotions are major incentives for movie goers.

 

female1 "I seldom went to cinemas for a movie. But this time, I've read the book and a friend of mine recommended it to me, so I'm here."

 

"I heard a lot of the movie. And the price is halved today, so I'm here to have a look."

 

The manager Cao Gang said the cinema will make at least 1 million yuan from such a blockbuster hit. He also mentioned that it was a pity that Mission Impossible 3 couldn't enter Chinese cinemas at the same time it opened around the globe.

 

Shanghai United Cinema Lines, the city's largest cinema chain, said it has sold more than 6 million yuan or US$740 thousand  worth of tickets to The Da Vinci Code since last Friday.

 

The film's opening was significantly better than Peter Jackson's King Kong, which only took in 4.5 million yuan during its first four days on screen in January.

 

The Dan Brown book that The Da Vinci Code is based on has been as popular in China as it has been around the globe. About 2 million copies of the Chinese translation have been sold since it was published two years ago.

 

(CRI May 24, 2006)