God bless those crazy Germans!
Today's premiere of "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones" in Germany was marred by rioting at a cinema in Essen by moviegoers irate over a technical problem.
Instead of the soaring fanfare opening bars of John Williams's musical score, first-nighters at three of the eight screening theatres at Essen's Cinemaxx multiplex heard only crackling distortion.
Boos and catcalls degenerated into mayhem in one of the theatres as one moviegoer draped his jacket over the projection booth window and some 200 persons went on a rampage of destruction.
"They pulled out and ripped up everything they could get their hands on," said Cinemaxx Theatres spokesman Arne Schmidt.
One theatre employee was roughed up by a patron, but was rescued by other moviegoers who pulled the assailant off the hapless usher. Schmidt said the employee sustained only minor injuries.
A total of 3,000 people were on hand at the Essen Cinemaxx multiplex for today's showing. Schmidt said about 200 persons were given their money back when order was restored.
Today's premiere of "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones" in Germany was marred by rioting at a cinema in Essen by moviegoers irate over a technical problem.
Instead of the soaring fanfare opening bars of John Williams's musical score, first-nighters at three of the eight screening theatres at Essen's Cinemaxx multiplex heard only crackling distortion.
Boos and catcalls degenerated into mayhem in one of the theatres as one moviegoer draped his jacket over the projection booth window and some 200 persons went on a rampage of destruction.
"They pulled out and ripped up everything they could get their hands on," said Cinemaxx Theatres spokesman Arne Schmidt.
One theatre employee was roughed up by a patron, but was rescued by other moviegoers who pulled the assailant off the hapless usher. Schmidt said the employee sustained only minor injuries.
A total of 3,000 people were on hand at the Essen Cinemaxx multiplex for today's showing. Schmidt said about 200 persons were given their money back when order was restored.
