The Da Vinci Code (2006)

Director:

Ron Howard

Writers (WGA):

Akiva Goldsman (screenplay)
Dan Brown (novel)

Release Date:

19 May 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Seek The Truth

Plot:

A murder inside the Louvre and clues in Da Vinci paintings lead to the discovery of a religious mystery protected by a secret society for two thousand years -- which could shake the foundations of Christianity.

Plot Keywords:

Jesus | Zurich | Cane | Hit In Crotch | Wounded By Gunshot

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 16 nominations

Cast

Tom Hanks	...	Dr. Robert Langdon
Audrey Tautou	...	Agent Sophie Neveu
Ian McKellen	...	Sir Leigh Teabing
Jean Reno	...	Captain Bezu Fache
Paul Bettany	...	Silas
Alfred Molina	...	Bishop Manuel Aringarosa
Jürgen Prochnow	...	Andre Vernet
Jean-Yves Berteloot	...	Remy Jean
Etienne Chicot	...	Lt. Collet
Jean-Pierre Marielle	...	Jacques Saunière
Marie-Françoise Audollent	...	Sister Sandrine
Rita Davies	...	Elegant Woman at Rosslyn
Francesco Carnelutti	...	Prefect
Seth Gabel	...	Michael
Shane Zaza	...	Youth on Bus

Also Known As:

The DaVinci Code (International: English title) (alternative spelling)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for disturbing images, violence, some nudity, thematic material, brief drug references and sexual content.

Runtime:

149 min | 174 min (extended dvd edition)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French | Latin

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS (8 channels)

Certification:

Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Iceland:14 (original rating) | Germany:12 | New Zealand:M | Netherlands:12 | India:A | Hungary:16 | Philippines:R-18 | Sweden:11 | South Korea:15 | Finland:K-15 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Ireland:15A | Malaysia:18PL | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Canada:14A (British Columbia/Ontario) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #41475) | Mexico:B15 | Singapore:NC-16 | UK:12A | Peru:14 | Venezuela:PG-13 | Argentina:13 | China:13 | Australia:M | Spain:13 | Poland:15 | Hong Kong:IIA | Brazil:14

Filming Locations:

Albert R. Broccoli 007 Stage, Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Columbia Pictures

Trivia:

The close-up shots of the exterior of Rosslyn Chapel are genuine, but the two distant shots of the chapel aren't actually of Rosslyn Chapel. This is because the chapel was swathed in scaffolding when filming took place. The first (overhead) shot looks like a different location entirely, with a chapel that resembles Rosslyn. The second shot, looking up a wooded hillside to the chapel, is indeed a shot of Roslin Glen with the chapel in the right location, but with the other chapel pasted in. The penultimate scene at the ruined castle is indeed filmed at Roslin Castle, a partial-ruin that's a couple of hundred yards from the chapel. It's privately owned, but visitors can easily view the exterior and the bridge which were shown in the film. The chapel is noted for its many internal carvings, including what appears to be a depiction of American maize -- but the chapel was completed before 1492.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: As Robert and Sophie travel in the back of the armored van to Leigh Teabing's residence, they hold hands in an attempt to calm Robert due to his claustrophobia. As they hold hands, an intermittent yellow light from an external source (supposedly street lamps) is seen. It would be impossible to see any such light from within the back of an armored van. It has also been revealed that they are traveling along a secluded country track with no street lighting.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Silas: Stop now. Tell me where it is.
[removes hood]
Silas: You and your brethren possess what is not rightfully yours.
Jacques Saunière: I don't know what you are talking about.
Silas: Is it a secret you will die for?
Jacques Saunière: Please...
Silas: As you wish.
[cocks gun]

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "American Dad!: Black Mystery Month (#2.13)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Secrets

Great Movie... For Intelligent, Unbiased People

First off, I'd just like to say that this movie is based on a fictional story. FICTION. Why people need to express hatred over this because of their religious beliefs is so mind-boggling. No one is saying that Christianity is wrong, and that this story is right. The book is classified as FICTION, not THEOLOGY! I should also note that my extremely religious Christian friends don't find this movie at all "disturbing" or "wrong". The fact is that if you believe in something, nothing -- including a movie, or story -- should be able to deter you from that belief. If you feel threatened by this movie or any other story like this, you have serious problems regarding the foundations in which you believe.

Now, to the review... I'm not here to give you any spoilers or story info, since that's all been done in the other reviews.

I have never read the book. I went to see the movie with my boyfriend, who read the book recently, and some friends (one of whom has read the book at least twice, and is so into the story that he has researched the symbols and meanings thoroughly and participates in Da Vinci Code games, forums, etc). So we actually had at least 3 differing perspectives here.

I really loved the film. Having no story to compare it to, I didn't feel like I had to have read the book to understand the story. Nothing felt missing or incomplete. I came out of the theater ready to add this list to my favorites, and wanting to read the book to compare it to the movie.

My boyfriend also thought the film was great. He said they did a great job adapting the book to film, and although not everything was there, they did the best that they could with the time they had, and he was impressed.

My friend was so excited throughout the movie, he kept wanting to talk to us about it. He pointed out some things from the book that weren't there as well, but he understood it couldn't all be there. He also said that watching the film put a new perspective for him on the movie, since he imagined things looking and feeling different in his head. Seeing the movie allowed him to look at it differently, which made it exciting all over again.

So, in summary, this seems to be a great movie no matter how deep you are into the Da Vinci Code. I normally wait for movies to go on DVD to rent, but this is one that I'd recommend you see in the theater... the atmosphere makes it more fun and also you can talk about this with others after seeing it, instead of catching up to everyone later and possibly getting spoilers before you watch. Again, I highly recommend this movie! A+