Bridget Jones: The EdgeOf Reason scored Working Title'sbiggest ever opening in Italy through UIP at the weekend, ranking number one onan estimated $4.2m on 376 screens.

The debut was approximately107% bigger than that of Bridget Jones's Diary in 2001 in US$ and 30% bigger inEuros.

Overall the romantic comedysequel added $7m through UIP to raise its international running total to $174m.Including France - where it opened through Mars - the picture has amassed $188mthrough all distributors and has 10 markets left to open including Malaysia onJan 13.

Universal's Ray started its international run in Germany through UIPwith an impressive limited release on 106 screens that grossed an estimated$890,000, including $120,000 in previews.

The picture ranked seventhin the market and will open around the world in the next two months. The nextrelease is scheduled for Austria on Jan 14, followed by the UK and Italy on Jan21, Japan on Jan 29 and France on Feb 23.

The Phantom Of The Opera, which UPI acquired for Australia, New Zealand andLatin America, has taken $3.6m to date.

It is seventh in its thirdweekend in Australia with a $3.2m running total and opens in Mexico on Jan 21.