Moore says 'Fahrenheit' success 'mind-boggling'

Director credits political detractors for boosting ticket sales

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updated 5:35 p.m. ET June 28, 2004

NEW YORK - “Fahrenheit 9/11” filmmaker Michael Moore called the opening weekend numbers for his documentary “mind-boggling” and credited his political opponents for boosting ticket sales.

“They’re all getting a Christmas card from me this year,” said Moore, who greeted filmgoers at a downtown Manhattan theater on Sunday.

The film, an indictment of President Bush’s leadership and his decision to go to war in Iraq following the 2001 terrorist attacks, took in $21.8 million in 868 theaters in its first three days of release.

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It beat the total box office take of Moore’s 2002 film, “Bowling for Columbine,” which held the previous record for highest-grossing documentary.

Moore said that conservative groups helped draw attention and viewers to his latest film. He said the movie will convince “a lot of swing voters, independents and even Republicans.”