With re-issue of the movie “Luther” already booked for almost 100 locations this winter, it will continue “in theaters as long as there is a demand,” said Dennis A. Clauss, the film’s executive producer.
Clauss, who also is church and community project leader for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, said the response has been “very positive” to the offer to reissue the movie for one week in communities where ticket sales of $2,500 (for about 500 tickets) are guaranteed.
Although the deadline for booking the movie for re-issue originally was Jan. 31, Clauss said that has been extended for as long as the guarantees are received or until the film is offered in DVD and VHS formats, “which are unlikely to be available before mid-to-late 2004.”
“We have been inundated by contacts from people who were unable to see the motion picture” when it was first released last fall, Clauss said.
“Luther,” which stars Joseph Fiennes, Sir Peter Ustinov and Alfred Molina, “has broad audience appeal and an exceptionally high rating by those who have seen it,” he said.
Clauss indicated that congregations and parochial and public schools are among those that have organized groups to see the reissued movie. He said he encourages groups of pastors in high-population areas “to arrange a free ‘clergy-only’ advance showing to gain their confidence and enthusiastic support.”
For more information, contact Rhonda English at (800) 847-4836, Ext. 85552; rhonda.english@thrivent.com.
“We will work with those who contact us and with their local theaters to arrange a suitable week for showing ‘Luther,’ as well as provide free promotional material,” said Clauss.
Posted Feb. 25, 2004
