Chen Kaige's fantasy epic The Promise (aka Master Of The Crimson Armor) scored a record-breaking opening of $9m (RMB74m) in its first four days of release in China (Dec 15-18), according to revised estimates.

This makes the film thebiggest opener ever in China breaking the previous record set by Kung-fu Hustle. It raked in $2.6m (RMB21m) on its opening day and highest single day revenue on Dec 17 was around $3m (RMB25m), again breaking the record set by Kung-fu Hustle of $2.7m (RMB22m).

The $35m film, the biggestever made in China, was given a strong marketing push by co-producer and distributorChina Film Group and had a clear run at the box office on its opening weekend. Noother films were released in mainland China last weekend and most theatres showed The Promise, which went out on 470prints plus digital screens.

The film had a satisfactorybut not spectacular debut in Hong Kong where it openedagainst King Kong and sneak previewsof Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire.Opening on 35 screens, the film grossed $310,000 (HK$2.4m) while King Kong scored a mighty $1.3m (HK$10.44m)from 62 screens and Harry Potter took $480,000 (HK$3.72m).