Anti-Bush film pulling in the crowds

REPUBLICANS initially dismissed Fahrenheit 9/11 as a cinematic screed that would play mostly to inveterate Bush-bashers.

Four weeks and $94 million later, the film is still pulling in moviegoers all over America, making Republicans nervous as it settles into the American mainstream.

“I’m not sure if it moves voters,” GOP consultant Scott Reed said, “but if it moves 3 or 4% it’s been a success.”

Two senior Republicans closely tied to the White House said the movie from director Michael Moore is seen as a political headache because it has reached beyond the Democratic base. Independents and GOP-leaning voters are likely to be found sitting beside those set to revel in its depiction of a clueless president with questionable ties to the oil industry.

Based on a record-breaking gross of $94 million through last weekend, cinemas already have sold an estimated 12 million tickets to Fahrenheit 9/11. A Gallup survey conducted July 8-11 said 8% of American adults had seen the film at that time, but that 18% still planned to see it at a theatre and another 30% plan to see it on video.

More than a third of Republicans and nearly two-thirds of independents told Gallup they had seen or expected to see the film at theatres or on video.

Fahrenheit 9/11 opened in June mainly in locally-owned arts theatres that specialise in obscure films and tiny audiences. Drawn in part by the buzz surrounding the film, people packed the theatres. Within a week, it was appearing in chain-owned theatres along with Spider-Man 2 and other big summer attractions.