Da Vinci film seeks blessing of church

[StColette]

[url="http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,16198130%255E2703,00.html"]Da Vinci film seeks blessing of church[/url]

Dalya Alberge, London
August 09, 2005

IT is a publishing phenomenon that has sparked controversy. Now the film version of The Da Vinci Code is attempting to reduce the offence caused to Catholics.

Sony Pictures, the studio behind the film, which stars Tom Hanks and Ian McKellen, is reported to have been so concerned about offending the devout that it has consulted Catholic and other Christian specialists on how it might alter the plot of the novel.

Film officials have held talks with Catholic groups and other organisations, despite author Dan Brown insisting that "it's only a novel and therefore a work of fiction".

The Catholic League is calling for the film's Oscar-winning director Ron Howard to include a disclaimer, acknowledging that the movie is fiction.

The Da Vinci Code, which is being filmed this year, is based on a novel that has sold 25million copies worldwide.

Among its more controversial claims is that Jesus married Mary Magdalene, a former prostitute, and that she bore him a child. This has been denounced as virulently anti-Catholic and a risible hoax.

Opus Dei, the Catholic organisation, is particularly concerned about its own depiction, because it is a central villain in the book.

Its members are depicted acting unethically for the sake of God, the Church or Opus Dei, whereas the organisation is a Catholic institution that adheres to Catholic doctrine and condemns immoral behaviour.

Spokesman Brian Finnerty said the novel portrayed Opus Dei in a completely inaccurate way. "We wrote to the studio, expressing our concern. They sent back a reply that was polite but non-committal, but Opus Dei is completely unlike the portrayal in the novel."

The studio has been asked to consider whether the central premise -- that Jesus had a child with Mary Magdalene -- could be more ambiguous and whether the name of Opus Dei could be removed.

Condemnation of the book has been widespread. In March, the Vatican appointed a cardinal to rebut what it dismissed as lies, distortions and errors.

Edited August 8, 2005 by StColette

[Kilroy the Ninja]

Good luck to them on that ...

[Brother Adam]

Change the whole plot of the movie to a story about the daily life of religious brothers and sisters and have it produced by a Catholic company and I'll go see it.

[zabbazooey]

They could just not MAKE the stupid movie....

[All For Jesus]

Oh no...they're making a movie out of the Da Vinci Code. this is bad news.

[CatholicCid]

[quote name='zabbazooey' date='Aug 8 2005, 01:34 PM']They could just not MAKE the stupid movie....
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The could, but they won't...
To make it acceptable, they'd basically have to change the entire thing... But they figure they'll make some $$$ from it so

[Theoketos]

On the plus side there are also going to be many Catholic Authors like Ted Sri, who will earn a living debunking this film...

[DeeDee]

Actually, I can't wait to see what they are going to do with this movie. The cast in very impressibe, and it's directed by Ron Howard, who has yet to turn out a stinker. I thought the book was very poorly written, and was so popular because it was controversial. Duh!!! The only thing I liked about it was that it sought to vindicate Mary Magdalen who has been maligned for centuries. Movies, even the Jesus of Nazareth film from the 1970 portrayed her as a prostitute. Nowhere, nowhere in the NT does it say she was a prostitute. People make assumptions, and over a period of time, with no correction from those who know better, it becomes fact. Guess you could say I belong to the St. Mary Magdalen anti-defamation league. I also attent St. MM church.

[IcePrincessKRS]

[quote name='Kilroy the Ninja' date='Aug 8 2005, 02:31 PM']Good luck to them on that ...
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Yeah, thats what I was thinking. Insert a snort at the beginning and some rolling eyes...

[jezic]

we can hope. THere is not much, but we can hope.

[Joey1976]

This movie is mocking Jesus Christ. Jesus did not com ehere to have fun and get married and have sex. He came here to die for our sins. I don't care if it claims to be fiction or not. It mocks Jesus. It is in the spirit of the anti-christ. Because the anti-christ will mock God also. How would anyone like it if a fictional movie was made on their life saying they did all things that never happened. I am sure the Vatican will keeps its stance of the boycott of this movie

[Aloysius]

don't they have any copyrights on "Opus Dei" that they can sue them over? can't they sue Dan Brown for libel? can't they sue the movie for slander?

[All For Jesus]

[quote name='Aloysius' date='Aug 8 2005, 04:07 PM']don't they have any copyrights on "Opus Dei" that they can sue them over?  can't they sue Dan Brown for libel?  can't they sue the movie for slander?
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I hadn't thought of that, it seems like they could- it makes sense

[nikkan_hanil]

Believe it or not, there's a strong rumor speculating that there will also be a DaVinci Code video game...

[thessalonian]

You gotta be kidding me. I don't believe it. Can anyone be that stupid?

[geetarplayer]

I've had a lot of my non-Catholic friends telling me how hardcore evil Opus Dei is, and my response to that? My late grandmother was in Opus Dei. If it was hardcore evil, I'd know about it.

-Mark

[Laudate_Dominum]

People like such dopey things.. I can't believe that book is so popular. ha

[Snowcatpa]

[quote name='Theoketos' date='Aug 8 2005, 03:46 PM']On the plus side there are also going to be many Catholic Authors like Ted Sri, who will earn a living debunking this film...
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[color=purple]Snaps for your positivity Theoketos [/color]

[dspen2005]

i say this in all Christian charity and I do apologize if this offends anyone:

HELL NO!

[ForHimAlone]

Why people are so willing to trust the words of Dan Brown than the words of the Church I do not understand. This Da Vinci Code phenomenon is ridiculous! People these days...