The new film, "World Trade Center," directored by Oliver Stone and starred by Nicolas Cage, got off to a promising start at the box office in U.S.

The receipts Wednesdy reached 4.4 million dollars in its first day, Paramount Pictures executives said on Thursday.

They added that if the pace continued, the film about the battle to save two policemen trapped under tons of rubble in the Sept. 11 attacks could bring in more than 20 million dollars through the opening weekend. The figure would be better than expected, they said.

The 65-million-dollar movie, which received several strong reviews, is the first big-budget feature to be made about the suicide hijackings. There was a smaller budget film "United 93" last spring, grossing 31.5 million dollars.

Many industry experts questioned whether moviegoers are ready for films about the 9.11 disaster which is still fresh and painful in many Americans' mind.

Editor: Donald