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Can a film that appears first on video do well on the big screen?

The movie "Left Behind" opens in the area on Friday at Park Place Stadium Cinemas in downtown Charleston as well as Marquee Cinemas at Southridge Centre off Corridor G.

Managers at both theaters said they have not had many calls about the movie, a film that is based on the end of the world as foretold in Biblical prophecy.

The lack of calls could be because the public is not yet aware of the opening or it could be due to the fact people have already seen the film.

Bonnie Graley, a clerk at Family Christian Book Store at Charleston Town Center, said she has heard that some groups are going to the movie, but she doesn't know which ones. The store has sold more than 300 copies of the film and each movie comes with two free tickets, she said.

While the film opens Friday at Marquee, show times have not been set, said manager Rob Thompson, who added he does not know if it will attract a large crowd.

"I don't have a clue," he said. "A few people have called but not hundreds."

The Rev. Jamie Wright, associate pastor at Maranatha Fellowship, said he is not aware of any plans to take a group from his church. Because the film first appeared on video, many churches have already shown it to groups, he said.

"I don't think it will do as well in the box office because it came out on video first," he said.

Park Place Manager Jon Hoptry agreed that could be the case.

"We just found out Monday we were definitely getting it," he said. "Later in the week, people may call. I'm not sure even how busy it will be since it has already been out on video."

Show times at Park Place on Friday are 1:10 p.m., 3:20 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:40 p.m. and 9:40 p.m.

A Canadian moviemaking team, brothers Peter and Paul Lalonde spent two and a half years and $17 million making the film.

It is based on a book by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, the first of eight so far dealing with Apocalyptic events described in the Book of Revelation.

"Left Behind" went on sale Oct. 31, 2000, and supporters had pre-ordered 1.2 million copies. It stars Kirk Cameron and his wife, Chelsea Noble, Brad Johnson, Janaya Stephens and Clarence Gilyard as a group struggling to find answers when millions of people disappear.

Peter Lalonde has said members of the Christian community have been asked to buy the video so they will know what they are supporting in the theaters.

Pastor Jesse Waggoner of Bible Center Church is not aware of any groups from his church going to see the movie, but he believes some individuals will attend.

Waggoner has read the entire series of books and seen the video. He said transferring a book to the screen is always difficult because literature allows the imagination to roam as the mind sees people and events.

"I do know the marketing strategy was to get it out on video first so church people would take a friend," he said. "When I first heard that, I thought ‘this is different.' Whether it will work or not, I don't know."