IT'S amazing what a fistful of Oscars will do for the value of a pair of unwashed green socks.
The woollen socks are part of the costume worn by Mel Gibson during the filming of Brave/heart The ensemble is about to be auctioned by the Society of the St Vincent de Paul to the highest bidder.
The society has kept the costume, including a pair of mud encrusted leather boots with the zips hidden down the back, a kilt, wool tunic and leather vest in its strong room since filming on the three hour swashbuckler ended.
Mr Michael Wall, director of the charity, said yesterday he was told to keep the costume until the Oscar result was known.
"I was told by the people that this could be worth a lot of money. We're going to pay it by ear for the next few days.
The auction will probably be a domestic affair. "If Gaybo doesn't pick it up we might ask, Pat, are you interested
The film is being rescreened at 13 cinemas around the State, according to its distributors Columbia Tri Star.
It raised £10 million under Section 35 and put some £13 million into the Irish economy.
It has taken more than £1 million at the Irish box office already. "That's very good considering it's over three hours long," a spokeswoman said.
The glow of the five Oscars will probably mean it gets another two months on the big screen. But the big winner will be video rentals sales. It was released on video hours before winning the Oscars.
Three members of the 7th Infantry Battalion will be in the queues for the video. Corporal Billy Stephenson, Corporal Tom Murphy and Private Dave Keegan were among the 500 FCA members who acted as extras. They spent up to five weeks on the Curragh, rising at 4 a.m. wearing kilt and waving polystyrene clubs spears and swords.
