ROTTEN TOMATOES: It's Rally Time for "Da Vinci Code" Opponents as Vatican Urges Boycott

It's Rally Time for "Da Vinci Code" Opponents as Vatican Urges Boycott

by Jen Yamato | May 03, 2006

While opposition to Ron Howard's blockbuster thriller "The Da Vinci Code" has been brewing for some time, another Vatican official has urged a boycott of the film; with only weeks to go, will Catholics moviegoers heed the call?

The Tom Hanks-Audrey Tautou starrer has been generating nothing but buzz since the project was first announced, largely thanks to Dan Brown's controversial source novel. Among its more objectionable features is the supposition that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were lovers and had children; many more may find Hanks' pseudo-mullet to be as potent a source of disgust.

From Variety: "On Friday, papal insider Archbishop Angelo Amato denounced the book as 'stridently anti-Christian' as well as 'full of calumnies, offenses and historical and theological errors regarding Jesus, the Gospels and the church.'"

Granted, the 40 million or so people who read Brown's novel may well be aware that this film adaptation is indeed a work of fiction...maybe. In any case, Catholics intent on seeing "Da Vinci" in any of the over 70 countries it will be released in worldwide beginning May 17 may now reconsider. That count includes South Korea, where the Christian Council of Korea has submitted a motion to stop the film from appearing in Korean theaters altogether.

Demonstrating their sensitivity to the subject of religious opposition, Sony Pictures has a website up dedicated to the open discussion of "The Da Vinci Code" and all of its tricky pseudo-historical plot devices (http://www.thedavincidialogue.com). Here you can read essays by multi-denominational experts, contribute to message board discussions, or (I like this one the best) heed the site's suggestion to join the Hollywood Prayer Network, where people can deal with the tricky morals and issues in Hollywood -- by praying.

"The Da Vinci Code" debuts May 17 at the Cannes Fim Festival, and opens stateside May 19.

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(1-20 of 61 posts) | Reply

SozeStrangelove writes:
on May 03 2006 02:01 PM

[b]Ouch![/b]
From Variety: "On Friday, papal insider Archbishop Angelo Amato denounced the book as "stridently anti-Christian" as well as "full of calumnies, offenses and historical and theological errors regarding Jesus, the Gospels and the church.""

I thought that the Da Vinci Code book, having read it twice, had historically accurate info. that is what made it controversial. otherwise, it would be in the baragin bin.

(Reply to this)

Now it's dark writes:
on May 03 2006 02:14 PM

Good to see that their religon can hold up to such strong scrutiny.

(Reply to this)

sokiveta.com writes:
on May 03 2006 02:52 PM

[b]Boycott?[/b]
I'm not Catholic, but I am actively Christian. And as far as scripture goes, there is nothing wrong with idea that Christ got married while on the earth. In fact, I personally think that he did, and had a large family. I don't believe there was a conspiracy, like in this book. Only 3 years of Christ's life was recorded in the scripture, from age 30 to 33. I think the part of his life where he was a good husband, father, and neighbor are left out because it was God's will, and not because of a secret society. I think he kept his family private because of prosecution, not just to them physically, but to their name. Think how many times the name of Christ is used in swearing. I think he kept his family hidden so the people wouldn't disrespect them as they do Him.

As for the conspiracy story, it makes good fiction and will probably make a good movie. I say, the Vatican shouldn't boycott certain movies, they should urge their members to avoid all movies that are inappropriate. This movie may make the Catholic church look bad, but what about movies that are immoral and violent? If the Catholic church really wanted to make a difference, it would promote personal standards for all media � movies, books, magazines, music, television, internet, etc. Then, it wouldn�t have to boycott certain movies, it�s members would already know what is appropriate and what isn�t.

(Reply to this)

aknddon3 writes:
on May 03 2006 03:05 PM

In reply to this comment (#835023)
[b]But you are wrong.[/b]
It is not historically acurate, it is a work of FICTION. Some guy did not just uncover the biggest lie of the world, it is just a book.

(Reply to this)

Now it's dark writes:
on May 03 2006 03:23 PM

Thay are remaking Clash of the Titans too. Hopefully they'll get the facts straight with that one as well.

(Reply to this)

Merlin235 writes:
on May 03 2006 03:45 PM

I was just curious what in the Scripture would indicate to anyone that Christ Jesus had a wife and family? It doesn't seem to make any sense to me, but I'm not a scholar. I can uderstand someone getting testy about this book. It isn't like Dan Brown personally was able to do what 2,000 years of other hadn't, mainly 'disporove' Christianity. But after a while it would get annoying to have people constantly making stuff up about your God. I can see how you might want to boycott a movie doing that. In fact, if anyone CANT understand Christian's reaction, then they won't have any hope of understanding current events. How could you possibly understand Radical Islam if you can't understand the Catholic Church's reaction to the Da Vinci Code? That would betray a severe lack of understanding Faith in general.

(Reply to this)

hugz4thugz writes:
on May 03 2006 04:47 PM

In reply to this comment (#835028)
understanding radical islam and understanding the catholic church's reasction to the da vinci code are totally NOT related at all FOOL!

(Reply to this)

Hieremias writes:
on May 03 2006 05:21 PM

"Good to see that their religon can hold up to such strong scrutiny."

A work of fiction that rewrites history and insults their religion in order to make millions of dollars in book and movie sales is not "scrutiny". The vatican is not objecting to legitimate historical research.

Now, I don't see why this should surprise or affect anybody. Did anyone really expect the catholic church to welcome with open arms a fictitious work that insults them from start to finish? It's not like they're taking legal means to block the film's release. They're just speaking out against it--and in a free society they're allowed to do that.

If you're a "good catholic" and want to obey everything your leaders tell you, then don't watch the movie. If you don't care what the catholic clergy thinks, or just like a good conspiracy theory story, then watch it. If you think the movie is based on real history, you might want to do a bit more research.

(Reply to this)

Paul_Is_Drunk writes:
on May 03 2006 06:29 PM

Get this:

The Catholic Church finally conceded in 1989 that the Earth does indeed revolve around the Sun. 1989. Yep, they are really open to change and questioning. Now try pointing out that humans have personally evolved dogs from wolves, then ask 'em about the whole 'universe created in 7 days' thing. Then you'll see how they respond to questioning. You'll be lucky if you aren't hit.

(Reply to this)

Now it's dark writes:
on May 03 2006 07:54 PM

Hopefully the alter boys will get a bit of a breather.

(Reply to this)

aknddon3 writes:
on May 03 2006 07:55 PM

In reply to this comment (#835032)
The catholic church completely believes in evolution. Learn your facts little boy.

(Reply to this)

insanemansam5 writes:
on May 03 2006 08:13 PM

Christianity should know well the best way to generate interest in something is to discriminate against it

(Reply to this)

scruffy_wallace writes:
on May 03 2006 08:18 PM

The DaVinci Code is a complete work of fiction, there is no historical evidence supporting any of the claims by Dan Brown. The priory of Sion was made up by a Frenchman to historically link himself to French royalty. Do not attack the Catholic Church for trying to prevent Christians into believing a fictional story. People read the book and Dan Brown's opening FACT on the Priory of Sion, and dont question it. I have a friend and two family members who read the book and all believed a lot of the story to be true, when one looks into the facts its obvious it is all a work of fiction.

(Reply to this)

Impavido writes:
on May 03 2006 09:02 PM

Jesus didn't dig chicks. He was above that. Women are dirty. Diiiiiiirty.

(Reply to this)

Paul_Is_Drunk writes:
on May 03 2006 09:03 PM

In reply to this comment (#835034)
Ad hominem little girl ;)

(Reply to this)

synergyred writes:
on May 03 2006 09:40 PM

Fiction. Say it with me. FICTION. I can understand that the Catholic church is a bit miffed at the was it was protrayed so they can sulk alll they want. But, in the end this book is a work of Fiction. False. I don't care what anyone else thinks, if you want me to believe something you've written, write a non-fiction book.

And it's not even THAT good. I mean, yes, fun novel, but it's not a masterpiece of literature. It's a light beach read. But, I will be seeing the movie. It has Paul Bettany in it. I saw FIREWALL because that guy was in it. He is one talented guy.

(Reply to this)

Flim Springfield writes:
on May 03 2006 09:41 PM

Why did they even bother spending money on advertising this movie? It's getting tons of free press. Controversy sells tickets, it doesn't keep people away.

(Reply to this)

renny2077 writes:
on May 03 2006 10:53 PM

In reply to this comment (#835032)
'The Catholic Church finally conceded in 1989 that the Earth does indeed revolve around the Sun.'

That's because they actually never studied the bible. The Old Testament clearly depicted that the earth revolved around the sun. And this was written more than 2000 yrs ago. Whatever the Catholic Church says doesn't necessarily have to be right. Because its a bunch of men able to twist the Word of God for their own gains.
What should matter to most christian is what the Bible actually says. There isn't a signle indication in the Bible that Jesus was ever married. The only marriage that is mentioned is his marriage to one bride, i.e the church that will happen at the end of time.
Rather than boycotting the film, the Catholc Church should teach the truth, which is their responsibility. Because truth sets you free. The church seems to be acting out of fear rather than faith.

(Reply to this)

mizzoucritic writes:
on May 03 2006 11:21 PM

Oddly enough, my uncle is a Catholic priest and he's a fan of the Da Vinci Code novel. He understands that it's fiction and has a thing for thrillers. He's told people on many occasions that there are a lot of historical inaccuracies to it, but as long as they don't let a work of fiction override their faith, then they're fine.

And personally, I'm against the Catholic church speaking out against the film, but understand why they are doing it. I do think it might have worked better if all of the Catholic preists out there would just explain briefly to their parishes that it's fiction. That way it would all blow over much more smoothly.

(Reply to this)

Peyton Westlake writes:
on May 04 2006 06:52 AM

Why is everyone getting their knickers in a twist over such an obvious work of fiction? what's that book called again? Oh yeah, "The Bible". Some people will believe anything...

(Reply to this)

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