'Pirates' pulverize box office rivals

'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest' rockets to the top of the London chart.

Jul 11 2006

'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest' floored the box office competition over the weekend like a Frenchman head-butting a big-mouthed Italian.

The big-budget sequel rocketed to the top of the London chart, although it failed to break box office records like the film did in America.

And while the film's three-day total of £625,674 was impressive, it was £200,000 behind 'The Da Vinci Code's £824,830 haul earlier in the year.

And with 'Superman Returns' hitting screens on Friday, it looks as if 'Dead Man's Chest' will struggle to match its Stateside success.

The real surprise of the weekend was the impressive debut of the decidedly uncommercial sex tourism flick 'Heading South'.

The challenging drama, which stars Charlotte Rampling, entered the chart at number three with a very impressive £26,704 from just nine screens.

Aside from that it was a pretty dull week on the chart, with Gallic action pic 'District 13' the only other new entry, coming straight in at number seven.

Next week, the return of 'Superman' should be enough to take the top spot.

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