Da Vinci Code Actor: "Bible Should Have a Disclaimer Saying 'This Is Fiction'"

Today Show/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

by Mark Finkelstein

May 17, 2006

If the Da Vinci Code was already feeding the flames of controversy with its challenge to the basic tenets of Christianity, actor Ian McKellen managed to throw a refinery tank's worth of gasoline on the fire on this morning's Today show, asserting that the Bible should carry a disclaimer saying that it is "fiction."

Matt Lauer, on his second day "On The Road With The Code," was in Cannes for the film festival, where the Code will have its debut. It has already been screened to some critics, who have given it decidedly mixed reviews.

As I reported here yesterday, NBC reporter Melissa Stark timidly dipped a toe in the sea of controversy when yesterday she interviewed Code director Ron Howard, asking how he reacted to the controversy the movie has created . . . for the Church! Sounding more like the Delphic oracle than a Hollywood director, Howard offered up some ambiguous prose about it being healthy thing for people to engage their beliefs.

Lauer took the bull of controversy more directly by the horns when he interviewed the cast and director Howard today. Said Lauer:

"There have been calls from some religious groups, they wanted a disclaimer at the beginning of this movie saying it is fiction because one of the themes in the book really knocks Christianity right on its ear, if Christ survived the crucifixion, he did not die for our sins and therefore was not resurrected. What I'm saying is, people wanted this to say 'fiction, fiction, fiction'. How would you all have felt if there was a disclaimer at the beginning of the movie? Would it have been okay with you?"

There was a pause, and then famed British actor Ian McKellen [Gandalf of Lord of the Rings], piped up:

"Well, I've often thought the Bible should have a disclaimer in the front saying this is fiction. I mean, walking on water, it takes an act of faith. And I have faith in this movie. Not that it's true, not that it's factual, but that it's a jolly good story. And I think audiences are clever enough and bright enough to separate out fact and fiction, and discuss the thing after they've seen it."

With the camera focused on McKellen, one could hear a distinctly nervous laugh in the background, seeming to come from either actor Tom Hanks or director Howard. McKellen's stunning bit of blasphemy is likely to test the adage that all publicity is good publicity.

Finkelstein, recently a guest on the Lars Larson Show, lives in the liberal haven of Ithaca, NY, where he hosts the award-winning public-access TV show 'Right Angle'. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Today Show/NewsBusters guaranteed-engine-starter ping.

[AppyPappy]

PING!!!!

[hershey]

Evidently the film is a stinker. Good.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Ian obviously doesn't have the wisdom of Gandalf...

[Always Right]

With the camera focused on McKellen, one could hear a distinctly nervous laugh in the background, seeming to come from either actor Tom Hanks or director Howard. McKellen's stunning bit of blasphemy is likely to test the adage that all publicity is good publicity.

He is only saying what Brown, Hanks, and Howard are thinking, but are afraid to say.

[rhombus]

...actor Ian McKellen managed to throw a refinery tank's worth of gasoline on the fire on this morning's Today show, asserting that the Bible should carry a disclaimer saying that it is "fiction."

Would this actor be so "courageous" to say the same thing about the Koran or does he prefer to keep his head?

[submarinerswife]

Is Gandolf still waiting for God's endorsemnet of his homo lifestyle? Sounds like sour grapes.

[mlc9852]

I really think people are making a bigger deal out of this than is justified. If someone decides to take the word of Dan Brown (I think that is his name) over the Holy Bible, then they obviously aren't interested in the truth anyway.

[Pyro7480]

Sir Ian McKellen (Gandalf from Lord of the Rings, Magneto from X-Men, Prof. Teabing from the Da Vinci Code): "Well, I've often thought the Bible should have a disclaimer in the front saying this is fiction. I mean, walking on water, it takes an act of faith. And I have faith in this movie. Not that it's true, not that it's factual, but that it's a jolly good story. And I think audiences are clever enough and bright enough to separate out fact and fiction, and discuss the thing after they've seen it."

Catholic ping!

[NinoFan]

Come on, guys, don't fall for this. They NEED the controversy now that the critics have panned this movie.

[veronica]

He's an actor. He reads the words others write. He's also a militant homosexual.

[Echo Talon]

just another reason not to go see it.

[Rummyfan]

McKellen, an open homosexual, has also said he always physically removes the passages from Leviticus that offend him .... from this work of fiction that is often found in hotel rooms! Hah! Think he tripped over his own tongue here.

[Always Right]

The scary thing is, Brown throroughly believes his piece of fiction is factual, at least the conspiracy theory part. Brown believes tha Mary and Jesus were married and had a baby. Brown believes the gnostic texts are the true gospels more worthy than Mark, John, or Luke. Brown believes the Catholic church is covering up the truth.

[siunevada]

Matt Lauer, on his second day "On The Road With The Code,"

Apparently Matt and the Today Show staff also feel the urgent need to fuel the fires.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Good, let those Hollywood Liberal Elite totally expose how intolerant and hostile they are towards religion and especially Christians.

Let him come back tomorrow and continue.

[theDentist]

If he said that about the Koran, there'd be a fatwa on him.

[silent_jonny]

Evidently the film is a stinker.

That's what I'm thinking too. And the actor's seem to be doing their best to alienate the ticket-buying audience.

[Bahbah]

Well, I wasn't going to go see it. Now I am REALLY still not going to see it. LOL.

[longtermmemmory]

Fox and Friends just had Mancow say reports from the Cann film festival indicate this movie is "a real stinker".

The movie is apparently very bad.

This "boycott" stuff is just a PR stunt.

[Barney59]

Well said!

It's all one big show for them...

[Pietro]

"They NEED the controversy now that the critics have panned this movie."

My hope is that both the movie and those associated w/ it are panned.

[Mo1]

"Bible Should Have a Disclaimer Saying 'This Is Fiction'"

The big guy upstairs says he's wrong

[noncommie]

Don't ad lib: isn't that the first thing they teach you in acting school?

Seriously, how complicated a job does this retard have anyway?

[mel]

Absolutely, I read the book a couple of years ago, didn't spend any money on it borrowed it, I found it a entertaining thriller but that is all. I am dumbfounded that it is still a top seller, I figured everyone would have found someone with a copy of book by now. Won't see the movie however.

[Always Right]

I really think people are making a bigger deal out of this than is justified. If someone decides to take the word of Dan Brown (I think that is his name) over the Holy Bible, then they obviously aren't interested in the truth anyway.

Well yes and no. When you see sheep being lead to slaughter, you should try to give them a warning.

[siunevada]

The scary thing is, Brown throroughly believes his piece of fiction is factual, at least the conspiracy theory part.

I've seen a couple of his coy comments and wondered if they were true or if he is playing to his potential audience. There's a projected third book, isn't there?

[Recovering Hermit]

Ian obviously doesn't have the wisdom of Gandalf...

He's just pissed because the Bible condemns homosexuality.

[sirchtruth]

Unbelieveable, these pretentious actors think they're so "wise" and smart and they end up being nothing more than ignorant prix...

Go ahead idiots, turn at least half your market away!

[BallyBill]

Bad reviews = need more controversy.

[mware]

Sir Ian McKellen (Gandalf from Lord of the Rings, Magneto from X-Men, Prof. Teabing from the Da Vinci Code): "Well, I've often thought the Bible should have a disclaimer in the front saying this is fiction.

Tolkien would not be pleased.

[EyeGuy]

Da Vinci Code Actor:

"Bible Should Have a Disclaimer Saying 'This Is Fiction'"

---

Free Republic Poster:

"McKellen should have a disclaimer saying 'I am an agenda-laden pervert, attacking anything that does not overtly celebrate my narcicisstic, socially destructive lifestyle'"

[Skooz]

And I should care what a homosexual activist thinks about the Word of God........why?

[OldFriend]

Your post makes the point that those who would leave their faith as a result of seeing this movie, aren't devoted to their faith in the first place.

[Doohickey]

Sir Ian McKellen is also very homosexual. Gays tend to dismiss the truth of the Bible because believing it would tend to cast their own personal choices in a bad light. This comes a no surprise and was, in fact, expected.

[Always Right]

Absolutely, I read the book a couple of years ago, didn't spend any money on it borrowed it, I found it a entertaining thriller but that is all. I am dumbfounded that it is still a top seller

Are you kidding? A book that bashes the Catholic church and reinforces liberals ideas that Christianity is a phony religion. That's a gold mine. Bashing Christ is even bigger than bashing Bush.

[Echo Talon]

I haven't gone "to the movies" in years it wont hurt me any not to see this film nor will I be missing anything. LOL
I bought Narnia on DVD and I still haven't watched that yet...

[Red Badger]

God is dead - Ian

Ian is dead - God..........

[Nihil Obstat]

(homosexual) Sir Ian McKellen (Gandalf from Lord of the Rings, Magneto from X-Men, Prof. Teabing from the Da Vinci Code...

I first read that as "Professor Teabag"

[mlc9852]

Exactly.

[SoFloFreeper]

Not a good remark by Ian.

[50sDad]

He's an actor. He reads the words others write.

"Hollywood: We lie about who we are for a living!"

[kittymyrib]

Ron Howard managed to screw up the story of the Alamo, another heresy he committed. He reached his zenith as Opie and Richie Cunningham and should have retired gracefully at age 16.

[Manic_Episode]

Me too.

I wasn't going to see it, but now I'm not going to see it even more.

[mware]

I agree with you but what concerns me is with people who are not mature or secure in their faith.

It's like the mustard seeds. Their foundation just had a load of gravel put on them. Hard to grow in that type of soil.

[Red Badger]

All this bull in DaVinci (I bet he's spinning in his grave) was in Holy Blood, Holy Grail in the early 80's. It's so last century..........or izzit 1st century?.......

[showme_the_Glory]

Evidently the film is a stinker. Good.

Yep, but all the negative attention will help its numbers at the box office.

[Always Right]

I've seen a couple of his coy comments and wondered if they were true or if he is playing to his potential audience. There's a projected third book, isn't there?

There is a pretty telling comment on Dan Brown's web page.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF CLERICAL SCHOLARS ATTEMPTING TO "DISPROVE" THE DA VINCI CODE?

Brown: "The dialogue is wonderful. These authors and I obviously disagree"

Dan Brown is clearly indicating he believes the blasphemy in his book.

[EmilyGeiger]

Ian obviously doesn't have the wisdom of Gandalf...




Obviously. :( That's really sad too. I feel sorry for him now.