The Da Vinci Code (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)
by Ron Howard
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Audrey Tautou, Ian McKellen, Jean Reno, Paul Bettany, Tom HanksDirector: Ron Howard
Brand: HANKS/MCKELLAN
Producer: Brian Grazer
Producer: Dan Brown
Writer: Dan Brown
Producer: John Calley
Producer: Kathleen McGill
Producer: Louisa Velis
Writer: Akiva Goldsman
DVD: Region Code 99
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; Latin (Original Language); French (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen, 2.40:1
Running Time: 149 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-11-14
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Movie Reviews of The Da Vinci Code (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)
Movie Review: An exciting adventure for viewers with open minds
Summary: 5 Stars
The film adaptation of Dan Brown's book, "The Da Vinci Code" can be viewed as a test to determine how receptive the readers mind is to new ideas. Be warned, some of the ideas presented in this story can be very uncomfortable for some people, depending on their religious convictions and on their receptivity. However, the material contained in his book is relevant on several levels.
First, the plot deals with a theme which is near the hearts of hundreds of millions of potential viewers, namely the history of the Christian Church. The story challenges readers with new information which may not agree with what they think they already know.
Second, the story is exquisitely well researched, drawing from documents as old as the 1st century, through medievel Holy Grail legends, through Renaissance paintings, and ties them together into what the British used to call "a ripping yarn".
Third, although most of the characters in the story are fictional, many of the concepts presented in the story are historically true. It is perhaps this last point which has created the greatest amount of controversy.
The movie (and the book upon which it is based) develops the idea that before Christianity, many religions embraced a balanced worldview in which the sacred feminine principle and the sacred masculine principle joined to maintain harmony. That this was once the case is evident from the mythology of many cultures, with their pantheons of gods and goddesses. However, Brown writes that Jesus embraced these ideas as well, a notion which would have been radical to patriarchal Jews of that time, and would certainly have stepped on the toes of the Jewish clergy.
Brown does a good job of supporting this idea, and echoes what is documented in many other historical non-fiction works, such as "The Chalice And The Blade" by Riane Eisler.
Perhaps the most difficult aspect of the story for some readers to accept is that in addition to his revolutionary teachings, Jesus lived as did other Jewish men in his culture, and took a wife, Mary Magdelene, and had children with her, descendants of whom survive in the present day. Documents written in the first century comment on Jesus relationship with Mary, however these were eventually suppressed several hundred years later following the Nicean council. Interestingly, the four canonical gospels do not specifically deny that Jesus married, and are completely silent regarding his life between age 12 and age 30. Any given reader will accept or reject this premise of a married Jesus depending primarily on what they choose to accept as evidence.
Whether a reader believes that Jesus married or not, the premise does make a great "what if" foundation on which to construct a thrilling story, in a manner similar to "what if" the Ark of the Covenant were still in existence, and an archeologist found it? (i.e. Raiders of the Lost Ark). One does not need to actually believe that the Ark still exists, or even that it ever existed, in order to be entertained. Such is the case with "The Da Vinci Code".
As was the case with films such as "The Last Temptation of Christ", many (although certainly not all) Christians do not like to hear that what they already believe may not be completely accurate.
For some people, anything which might require a readjustment in thinking is automatically branded a falsehood. These are the people who picket movie theatres protesting films which they have never seen, or who write reviews slamming books which they have never read.
In an ironic manner, these people become part of a policy of suppression which attempts to block access to alternative information which presents a different view. As one who prefers to weigh both sides of issues and decide for myself what makes more sense, all the protests and denials made me want to read the book, and see to the film, even more.
Although difficult for some to admit, the reality is that sometimes new information becomes available which renders previous understandings obsolete. For example, we now know that diseases are caused by germs and virus, and not by an imbalance in four humours as was once believed. We also now know that Earth is spherical, and orbits the Sun, instead of being flat and located at the center of the Universe, as was once widely believed by Christians (the ancient pagans knew better, as proven by their surviving writings). Some of the information in this book will be new information to some people, others already were aware of the historical elements which form the basis for this story.
I found the book to be sufficiently well written and interesting that I read it through in parts of three days. Nothing I read offended me, I read with an open mind and tended to think "Well, it COULD have happened that way".
When I read the book, I had not yet seen the movie, but was aware that Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Ian McKellan and Alfred Molina were cast in leading roles, so I tended to see them in their roles as I read.
When I actually saw the movie, I found that the story moved quite quickly, and kept me enraptured with beautiful imagery and stirring music. At times, the director caused a flashback to overlap the action on screen, so that you could see the character, and what they were remembering, at the same time. This was used in several of the scenes where Langdon was rearranging letters or images in his mind while attempting to solve a clue. At other times a similar technique was used to show modern action and action hundreds of years previously which occurred at the same location, on the screen at the same time. All of the characters were played with genuine depth, having complex, well developed personalities. Tom Hanks was very good as Robert Langdon, the expert symbologist. I especially appreciated the manner in which Audrey Tautou played Sophie Neveu, the cryptographer. In this role, she simply radiated a pure feminine quality, which, as the story developed, proved that she was the perfect choice for the role.
Sir Ian McKellan was also very good as Sir Leigh Teabing, a wealthy enthusiast in all things related to the search for Holy Grail.
Many of the twists and turns in the story came as complete surprises to me. Some of the people I was sure were sinister were actually motivated by noble intentions, and some of the people I thought were good guys turned out to be ruthless.
I strongly recommend this movie, and the book upon which it is based. For the maximum enjoyment, see the movie first, then go back and read the book for additional details.
I eagerly look forward to the movies release on DVD.
Summary of The Da Vinci Code (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)
Dan Brown's international bestseller comes alive in the film The Da Vinci Code, directed by Ron Howard with a screenplay by Akiva Goldsman. Join symbologist Robert Langdon (Academy AwardŽ Winner Tom Hanks, 1993 Best Actor, Philadelphia, and 1994 Best Actor, Forrest Gump) and cryptologist Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou) in their heart-racing quest to solve a bizarre murder mystery that will take them from France to England ? and behind the veil of a mysterious ancient society, where they discover a secret protected since the time of Christ. With first-rate performances by Sir Ian McKellen, Alfred Molina and Jean Reno, critics are calling The Da Vinci Code "involving" and "intriguing," "a first rate thriller."Similar DVD Movies
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