The Passion Sets Record and Causes Ripple Effect in Genre PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mel Gibson's The Passion of The Christ, which streeted on 8/31, grossed more than $8.4 million in combined DVD and VHS rental revenue setting an all-time record for first week revenue in the religious film genre. The video turned more than 2.4 million units, took both the #1 spots on Rentrak's weekly Top 10 DVD and VHS charts, and was the #1 drama overall for the week ending 9/5/04. The film, which depicts the final 12 hours in the life of Jesus Christ, also caused a ripple effect in the genre -- as the Labor Day weekend turned into a holiday of religious edification for many U.S. video consumers who flocked to rent such classics as Jesus of Nazareth (1977) and Ben Hur (1959) -- with activity levels rising on several religious titles from the prior week-ending 8/25. Percent Increase in Consumer Activity Levels from 8/25 - 9/5/04 Title Studio % Increase BEN HUR (1959) MGM 160.2% JESUS OF NAZARETH (1977) LIVE 107.3% GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD (1965) MGM 33.1% PAUL THE APOSTLE (2004) GOODTIMES 29.4% LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST (1989) UNIVERSAL 27.6% MARY, MOTHER OF JESUS (2000) ARTISAN 12.8% Top 10 Renting Videos (Combined DVD/VHS) for the Week Ending 9/5/04 This Last Wks Wk Wk Title Studio Out 1 NEW The Passion Of The Christ FOX 1 2 NEW Twisted PAR 1 3 1 Taking Lives WAR 3 4 2 Girl Next Door FOX 2 5 3 Godsend LNG 3 6 4 Laws Of Attraction NLH 2 7 5 Hidalgo TOU 5 8 6 Johnson Family Vacation FOX 4 9 7 13 Going On 30 COL 5 10 9 The Prince & Me PAR 4 Top 10 rental charts are based on preliminary data. Ranking are subject to change upon receipt of additional data. Up-to-date information on video and videogame rentals are available on Home Video Essentials. Home Video Essentials is a product of Rentrak Corporation. For more information, contact Brad Hackley, 1-866-333-6214, or . DATASOURCE: Rentrak Corporation CONTACT: Brad Hackley of Rentrak Corporation, +1-866-333-6214, or Web site: http://www.rentrak.com/

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