`Highlander’ Debuts In 2nd Spot

Taking the high ground never ensures success. Taking the “Highlander” ground is no different.

The third entry in the “Highlander” series, “Highlander: The Final Dimension,” finished second to the strong-playing “Legends of the Fall” in the week’s box office listings.

According to figures provided by Exhibitor Relations Co., “Legends” ranked No. 1 among the films now playing across the country. Courtesy of a $6.3 million take over the week ($35.5 million in six weeks), the Edward Zwick-directed effort finished ahead of the debuting “Highlander” ($5.6 million).

“Dumb & Dumber” became the third Jim Carrey film in a row to earn more than $100 million. “Dumb” grossed $4.3 million, good enough for the No. 3 spot and pushing its seven-week total to $103.9 million.

At No. 11, “Before Sunrise,” which debuts today in Spokane, opened in limited release (363 locations) with a $1.4 million take. However, its per-location take of $3,922 was better than nine of the 10 films that outearned it.

The one film that had a higher perlocation take was “Nobody’s Fool,” the Paul Newman feature that placed No. 4 by earning $4.1 million in 1,007 locations ($4,067 average).

“Death and the Maiden,” which debuted in Spokane but is in its sixth week of national release, ranked No. 16 with a $1.13 million take.