UK bookmakers may beoffering odds of 12-1 on Germanforeign-language Oscar contender: Downfall (Der Untergang), but the film, about the final days ofHitler's regime is already a winner at the international box office.

Successful runs in a handfulof European territories have seen the two and a half hour drama pass the $50mmark in international takings with most world territories (including NorthAmerica) yet to release the film.

Unsurprisingly, this successhas been led by Constantin Film's $36.3m gross in the film's home territory,Germany. However, this has been supported by strong returns elsewhere (seebelow) and the film has taken $52.6m to date.

In France TFM Distributionsaw 796,000 admissions in the film's first six weeks for an approximate $5.7mgross. In the Netherlands A-Film Distribution has seen it become the country'shighest grossing foreign-language film (non-US/non-Dutch), overtaking Frenchblockbuster Amelie. After fifteen weeks the film still appears in theDutch top 20 with $3.1m.

With the film opening inNorth America on a limited run in New York and Los Angeles this weekend (Feb18) through Newmarket Films - and continuing its international run the same daywith a launch in Spain (through DeAPlaneta) prospects continue to look good.The UK receives the film on April 1, released by Momentum Pictures.

In comparison, recent Germanhit Good Bye, Lenin! (2003) grossed $75.3m internationally by the end ofits run - with Germany accounting for $41.5m. It took $4.1m in North America.

Downfall Int'l box office

Territory (Distributor)Gross
Germany (Constantin Film) $36.3m
France (TFM Distribution) $5.7m*
Netherlands (A-Film) $3.1m*
Switzerland (Rialto) $2.15m*
Austria (Constantin Film) $1.9m
Belgium (Cineart) $1.8m*
Poland (Monolith) $1.1m
Hungary (Best Hollywood) $0.33m*
Finland (Sandrew Metronome) $0.25m*
Source: Screen International
* Still on release