The DaVinci Code (DVD, 2006, Widescreen; 2-Disc Special Edition)

The fuss about Dan Brown's best seller & this subsequent motion picture based upon it is perplexing. So what if Jesus had a wife & daughter? I'd prefer to believe that he had a completely fulfilling mortal life. Does Brown's well researched theory threaten Christendom? If so, how? My faith hasn't changed.

The Roman Catholic church has a vast history of condoning torturous & murderous gangs as the Inquisition & Crusades! Today, the same denomination is notorious for the largest child, teen & adult sexual harassment ring & cover-up by US bishops & cardinals in history. In contrast, Brown's theory isn't a violent one; in fact, it's heart warning to imagine a religious martyr having had a love life that produced a child after his death. There's more evidence in the Gospel of Thomas (that neither Brown's book nor Howard's film mention) in its final verse 114: Simon Peter tells Jesus to get rid of Mary because women don't belong in "the life" with men (disciples). Jesus responds in the last line of the verse, that he'll make Mary male, saying that any woman who makes herself male for God's sake will inherit the kingdom of heaven. He spoke in parables, remember? Not speaking literally about making Mary into a transsexual, Jesus refers to the irrelevance of sex & gender when it comes to spirituality. It's a 'conceivable' theory this movie 'incarnates'. Dan Brown's story, Akiva Goldsman's screenplay & Ron Howard's movie go like this:

On a business trip in Paris, Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks), a symbologist from Harvard, learns that the curator, Jacques Saunière (Jean-Pierre Marielle), of the Louvre museum's dead & apparently murdered there. Once Professor Langdon meets with the French police captain, Bezu Fache (Jean Reno), they find cryptic writing near Saunière's body. Langdon (Hanks) has no trouble solving the encoded writing Saunière left on the Louvre's floor in front of Leonardo DaVinci's "Mona Lisa." 'Agent' Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou), who's really a French cryptologist, meets Langdon at the scene & secretly warns him that to avoid Captain Fache who wants Langdon dead. Tension, thrill, chase & intrigue begin at this point.

Cryptologist Neveu & symbologist Langdon flea the Louvre death scene on the run for their lives. The clues they've both deciphered lead to are a hidden in plain sight secret in masterpieces by DaVinci.

The late curator was deeply involved with the Priory of Sion, a true life secret society that has allegedly protected 'The Holy Chalice' for 2000 years. In breakneck chases through Paris, London & points in between, Neveu & Langdon are tracked by members of Opus Dei, a nefarious, Papal approved, Catholic
fundamentalist-supremacist group that's planned to take possession of the Priory's secret charge. Neuve & Langdon hide at the estate of Langdon's professor friend, Sir Leigh Teabing (Sir Ian McKellen). Teabing joins with Neveu & Langdon to unravel the secret mysteries of history of their lifetimes.

Sir Ian McKellen proves that Tom Hanks is no match for his acting skill. There's humor for adults in line the 2 exchange:

Langdon (Hanks): The ancient male symbol was the blade, it's a basic phallus. It's still used today on military uniforms.
Sir Teabing (Sir McKellen): Yes & the more penises you have, the higher your rank. Boys will be boys!

Audrey Tautou as Sophie & Sir Ian McKellen as Teabing each have & deliver the best lines throughout "The DaVinci Code."

The Da Vinci Code is a movie that has been the object of critics' scorn since Cannes. Therefore when I went in my expectations were quite low. I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed this intellectual treasure hunt. Action sequences boldly intertwine with quieter scenes where codes and symbols are being deciphered to lead to the next clue. At times we get the back story of what has happened to a persecuted religious sect through out the ages. The flashbacks to ancient Rome are brief but beautiful. In addition there are some gorgeous locations for filming, among them the Louvre and Rosslyn.

Hanks and Tautou perform like the pros that they are--it is interesting that two actors known for their whimsical charms were cast in such serious roles. Generally actors starring in thrillers will be those known for their laconic delivery and quietly passionate intensity. However, Tom Hanks was playing a professor of symbology and as such he did a fine job.

The supporting cast reads like a list of international superstars: Alfred Molina, Ian McKellen, Jean Reno and Jurgen Prochnow--all were superb.

One of things I liked about this film is how it gave the audience the opportunity to view the world from the perspective of someone who is used to looking at symbols and their meanings, in particular of things that most of us don't even notice most of the time. It was an unusual and fascinating angle on perception.

This a movie that tries to pack some very deep concepts into the thriller/treasure hunt genre. Overall I think it succeeds rather well.

Oh how I waited for this movie and wasn't disappointed upon its completion. I read the book and couldn't wait to see how they play it out on the big screen. Ron Howard projected Dan Brown book into a master piece of twist and turns that keep you riveted to your seat. The only thing I was a bit disappointed with, was how they changed the ending of the movie from the book. Still an awesome ending, but the book gave you a bit more desisive finality.

This is the best movie that has ever come out of a book. I little long, but if you read the book first you will understand why. This movie was amazing in how close all of Dan Browns Ideas were depicted. A must see movie. Two thumbs Up!!

An excellant movie full of great adventure. I enjoyed every second of the movie. I read the book first, and the movie did it justice. I wasn't disappointed! It's fiction, but I think it leans more towards not. I highly recommend!

I recently bought the two-disc DaVinci Code DVD set and was very impressed with it. Disc 1 of course is the movie itself and it was packed with awesome quality and just a great movie. Disc 2 was the best surprise; it is jam packed with interviews with the author Dan Brown and the key players of the cast. I was impressed with the level of the interviews and the historical links that were explained. This was definitely a great choice.

Very thought provoking film. Lots of twists and surprises. Very good acting and credible characters. Enjoyed it very much.

Originally I had rented this movie from Blockbuster. Unfortunately about half way though the movie it froze, and Blockbuster didn't have any other copies on final so I decided to purchase a copy from Ebay. I love this movie! Theres never a dull moment, if you love action, adventure, and detective work all in one movie then this is the movie for you.

Much like the book that this movie came alive from, the basic story line here is the power to test yourself, all your preconcived notions about religion and faith; especially your power to believe in something so extra-ordinary that it may change not only your beliefs in the institution of religion, but also your faith in many of the establishments. You need to be prepared to have your faith in religion, challenged and questioned, make sure that you can distinguish what is true & what is not. At the end of it all, all that you basically need is, to ask yourself: what do I believe in??

I first read Dan Brown's Angels & Demons, the prelude to The DaVinci Code. This prompted me to read The DaVinci Code which in turn created the necessity of seeing the movie. After seeing the movie, I knew I needed to buy a copy of it to add to my DVD collection!

As with most stories that are written and then produced into a movie, there just isn't enough money or time to put everything into a movie that was in the book. However, this movie came pretty close. I do believe, however, that a movie of Angels & Demons should have been produced before The DaVinci Code as this would have helped the viewer understand the event happenings in The DaVinci Code with a little clearer interpretation.

I really liked the movie and suggest that if you enjoy watching movies with actors such as Tom Hanks, don't miss this one!!!

No, I didn't read the book, my wife Tina did, and she was not as pleased with this movie as I was.

I found the plot to be moving, the action just right, and the characters not over the top as all the hype of the movie made them out to be.

Good escapist fun, as long as you don't take the subject matter way too seriously!

Michael

Check out this movie and get a good understanding about the basis of The Greatest Story ever told as being The Greatest Lie Ever told. I highly recommend it to anyone who has an open mind and is willing to see the truth as it is.

If this movie made money -- it was only because of the star power of Hanks in the lead role and Speilberg as Director. This movie was clearly an excuse to have a tax deductible vacation in Paris for Hanks and Spielberg and their lucky filming crews and companions. While the reasoning behind making this movie is clever indeed (tax deductible), the movie itself is a digusting mess. I guess all involved thought they had built a solid and unassailable reputation that one poor film (very badly executed) could not affect. I don't think it will do anyone involved any good to be known to have made some of the best (and the all time worst) film in history. Allegedly based on a book by Dan Brown (which I have not read), this movie surely had to affect the sales of the book (in a bad way) once it was released. I am still wondering what the hell Hanks and Speilberg were thinking?? Could they not afford better writers (and a barber for Hanks?)

As a big fan of the best-selling book, I was disappointed in the movie. It is beautifully made with some of the most picturesque scenery ever shown in a movie: the Louvre, the Temple Church, Westminster Abbey, and finally Roslyn Church. The settings in the book truly come to life as Ron Howard captured the essences of the locales. Tom Hanks is great as Robert Langdon, an antiquities expert who gets pulled into the mystery of the Louvre curator's murder. Special and granddaughter of the Louvre victim, Agent Sofie Neveu (Audrey Tautou)is believable as his accomplice but is not electrifying in the part. It's too bad that a young Audrey Hepburn or Sophia Loren could not have played Sofie. Ian McKellan as Professor Leigh Teabing is also great as a mysterious helper in the story.

The story revolves around the 20 Century Old feud between the two Roman Catholic sects known as the Priory de Sion and Opus Dei. Supposedly, the Priory is protecting the remaining heirs of Jesus's marriage to Mary Magdalene. Opus Dei wants to find them and perhaps murder them. The chase in the movie is to find both the Opus Dei murderers and the remaining heirs as well.

But what is so disappointing was the ending, which was entirely different from the book and really not as forceful. Too bad. It ruined what could have been an extraordinary adaptation of a book to the screen!

Overall, this movie is still worth watching over and over because it is so visually beautiful. Try it, you'll like it--especially if you like the book.

Loved the book. Disapointed with the movie. In order to fully keep up with the movie read the book first.

simply wonderful there is just no other way to say this it came on time in brand new condition and the seller was excellent

The DVD was in great condition. We had already seen the movie and wanted a copy for our personal collection. This item was a great price and in good condition. The movie really brings the book to life-it is well done. We highly recommend it.

I came into this movie not knowing excactly what to expect, I hadn't heard much other then the book was amazing, and the movie was good (not up to par with the book but..........) I LOVED the movie, not being a "church" type person this movie has sparked my interest into the subject, and have spent he last couple months reading countless web sites, books, ect.... and I would recommed also reading "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" ......

This movie was made from the acclaimed novel. However, the story line differs from the book. I was very disappointed after seeing this movie. I had envisioned such different characters than the ones chosen for the parts.
After the murders of the senecheux by an albino monk from Opus Dei and then the murder of the grand master, the movie spirals away from the book.
Don't get me wrong, usually anything that Tom Hanks is in is worth watching, but this part was so not him. He did serve the part semi-convincingly. I just think that the directors and producers and casting people could have chosen a better person to fill the role.
In the book, the lead character is witty, intelligent beyond belief and courageous. I didn't feel it from Tom. This movie may be one of those that you decide to watch on a desperate for anything night, but not for true movie enjoyment.

I read the book...fabulous by the way! The movie...was horrible in my opinion. Could have been a very good move, but for some reason it was just horrible. I suggest reading the book!

This movie was very well done considering the amount of information that had to be covered from the book. I read the book and loved it and although the movie could not exactly replicate the book, I found the movie to be very good. My wife did not read the book and also enjoyed the movie very much.
The bonus features are great, especially the stuff about the real codes, mysteries and myths surrounding the story. As a historical fiction lover and a history lover, this dvd has a lot to offer.
Good acting, good direction, decent screenplay and a great story.

The stately silence of Paris' Louvre museum is broken when one of the gallery's leading curators is found dead on the grounds, with strange symbols carved into his body and left around the spot where he died. Hoping to learn the significance of the symbols, police bring in Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou), a gifted cryptographer who is also the victim's granddaughter. Needing help, Sophie calls on Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks), a leading symbologist from the United States. As Sophie and Robert dig deeper into the case, they discover the victim's involvement in the Priory of Sion, a secret society whose members have been privy to forbidden knowledge dating back to the birth of Christianity. In their search, Sophie and Robert happen upon evidence that could lead to the final resting place of the Holy Grail, while members of the priory and an underground Catholic society known as Opus Dei give chase, determined to prevent them from sharing their greatest secrets with the world.

After reading the book I had to see the movie. Being open minded and curious made this movie a must see for me. It doesn't disapoint. Even though the ending is a bit different then the book it's still excellant. Great interpretation by Ron Howard and Great acting by Ton Hanks. Suspenceful and a bit spooky.