‘The Rapture’ Encounters Some Resistance

“The Rapture,” an upcoming film that explores the Bible’s Book of Revelation through a young woman who becomes a “born again” Christian, is encountering objections even before it opens on Oct. 4.

The Litchfield Co. theater chain has refused to book the film into Atlanta theaters because of its potential for controversy. Distributor New Line Cinema’s own Atlanta representative refused to handle the film, said Al Shapiro, a company senior vice president.

“He believes it is sacrilegious. But that is his religion and I respect him for coming forward.” Another New Line employee took the assignment.

Shapiro said New Line chose Atlanta in addition to Los Angeles and New York as the film’s initial markets “because we felt it would be a place where the Christian theme would do well.”

The 210-theater Litchfield chain also did not show “The Last Temptation of Christ,” he said.

The R-rated “The Rapture” will probably be seen in Atlanta at theaters owned by Boston-based Hoyts Theaters. Said a Hoyts executive: “We have no objections to booking. It’s just another picture.”