Take your family to an inspiring film — for free!
$15 million in tickets are being given away in the U.S. to the March 30th nationwide re-release of the inspirational film adaptation of Dan Millman’s perennial best-selling novel, Way of the Peaceful Warrior. Universal Pictures teamed up with Best Buy to launch the innovative marketing scheme hoping to create enough interest in the film to carry it through the following weeks in April.
Best Buy has created a Web page to distribute 2 million free tickets good only for the weekend of March 30 – April 1…
“We wanted to find a way to give this film — and films like it — a real chance to compete in this marketplace,” explained Adam Fogelson, president of marketing, Universal Pictures. “This movie’s inspiring and positive message connects powerfully with people, but it simply isn’t possible to market it efficiently or economically in the customary ways. We wanted to allow as many people as possible a chance to sample the film on its first weekend, with the hope that their word of mouth and enthusiasm might sustain the public’s interest. We found an enthusiastic partner in Best Buy and secured support from theater chains willing to experiment with us.”
The film had a limited release in 2006 through Lionsgate, after which producers Mark Amin and Cami Winikoff brokered a deal between Universal and Lionsgate for this unique second-chance opportunity (see the film’s July 15 review in GNN).
ABOUT THE STORY
The novel and the film chronicle the semi-autobiographical story of author Dan Millman’s life-altering relationship with an unlikely mentor whose teachings about spirit over strength profoundly affected not only Millman but also untold readers in the two and a half decades since the book was first published.
In the film, Scott Mechlowicz plays Dan, a talented but arrogant college gymnast with Olympic dreams and a golden future. The athlete thinks he has it all: bookcases of trophies, endless friends, fast rides and disposable relationships. But all that is about to change.
One day, an accident turns Dan’s world upside down and a chance meeting with a mysterious stranger, whom he comes to know as Socrates (Nick Nolte), leads to a new world of strength and understanding. With the mystical help of Socrates and a down-to-earth young woman named Joy (Amy Smart), Dan grows to realize that strength of spirit is what leads a man to his true greatness. Check out the compelling trailer on the film’s site.
HOW TO GET TICKETS
There are no strings attached to the offer, although the Web site does request your e-mail address. When you visit www.bestbuy.com/peacefulwarrior, you will be directed to enter your zip code and choose the number of tickets you’d like, up to ten. From there, you are given a choice of participating theaters in your area. After selecting the theater, the passes will be generated that you will need to print in order to present at the door and be admitted into that theater.
This was an awesome film that I am recommending to friends and family. I can hardly wait for it to be sold in stores. This is one film I will own and watch over and over. Very moving and inspirational.
Thanks for writing Maureen. I went to see the film with my family (including three teens) and we all loved it! Very powerful.
Main message: Live in the present moment. right here. right now.
good news!