Posted on 05/11/2006 2:24:48 PM PDT by freakboy
The row over the imminent release of the Da Vinci Code film grew today when star Tom Hanks hit out at its Catholic critics.
Cardinals, speaking with the authorisation of the Vatican, have called for the Hollywood version of Dan Brown's bestselling novel to be boycotted.
They say the theme of the film - that Jesus Christ had children with Mary Magdalene and that hardline Catholic movement Opus Dei covered up his secret life - is highly blasphemous.
But Oscar-winner Hanks said objectors to The Da Vinci Code are taking the film too seriously, telling the Evening Standard: "We always knew there would be a segment of society that would not want this movie to be shown.
"But the story we tell is loaded with all sorts of hooey and fun kind of scavenger-hunt-type nonsense.
"If you are going to take any sort of movie at face value, particularly a huge-budget motion picture like this, you'd be making a very big mistake.
"It's a damn good story and a lot of fun... all it is is dialogue. That never hurts."
The Da Vinci Code book has sold more than 40 million copies since it was published in 2003. The film, released by Sony Pictures division Columbia Pictures, is set to be one of the year's most successful when it is released worldwide on 19 May.
As well as Hanks, it stars Audrey Tautou and Sir Ian McKellen and is directed by Oscar winner Ron Howard.
The Da Vinci Code receives its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival next Wednesday.
Calls for Christians to boycott it have been led by Archbishop Angelo Amato, the number two official in the Vatican doctrinal office, which was headed by Pope Benedict until his election last year.
Amato described the novel as "stridently anti-Christian" and called for believers to "reject the lies and gratuitous defamation" in the book.
He added: "If such lies and errors had been directed at the Koran and Holocaust they would have justly provoked a world uprising.
"Instead, if they are directed against the church and Christians, they remain unpunished. I hope you will boycott the film."
Cardinal Francis Arinze, a Nigerian tipped to be Pope last year, went even further.
He said: "Christians must not just sit back and say it is enough for us to forgive and forget. Sometimes it is our duty to do something practical.
"Some know legal means which can be taken in order to get the other person to respect the rights of others."
The Catholic church here is taking a more relaxed line, arguing that in the face of the film's blockbuster appeal, calling for a boycott would be pointless.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, head of the Roman Catholic church in England and Wales, told the Jonathan Dimbleby programme on ITV1 on Sunday: "I think it's a harmless thriller. If people want to read it they can and people who read it should realise it is fiction."
But some prominent UK Catholics favour a harder stance. Piers Paul Read, himself a best-selling novelist, said:
"I am for the boycott. I don't think Catholics should put money into the pockets of people who have invented lies about the church."
Another eminent Catholic, socialite Claus Von Bülow, said: "I am not going to see The Da Vinci Code. This has nothing to do with its historical claims but because I found the book unreadable."
Don't forget Bo Derek, Shannon Doherty, my darling Sarah Michelle Gellar, and of course, Mel Gibson. ;^)
Just a warm-up to test the faith -- to be followed by a greater test by the muzzies.
How could I forget Mel??? I'm so ashamed.
The problem that I have with The Da Vinci Code is that it is confusing a lot of Christians who aren't well grounded in their faith. I have heard much nonsense coming from relatives who don't know early church history or much theology. The book is fiction, but it is hurting the faith of many Christians. I read the book and found it to be a poorly written thriller based on complete garbage.
I also studied art history in college and know that much of what Dan Brown writes about Da Vinci's paintings to be false. It doesn't take much research to uncover the truth.
I agree. While I have no intention of seeing this movie, and it may influence the...um...uninformed to disbelief, I worry that all the talk of boycotts aren't being counterproductive.
When "Last Temptation of Christ" came out, all the furor and hubbub caused more people to see it out of curiosity. I fear the same thing may happen here--more so, as "Da Vinci" is a more mainstream picture.
I don't believe the Catholic Church, specifically, or Christianity as a whole has anything to worry about from Ron Howard and Tom Hanks.
We understand the fiction thing. The problem is there are many who will take this "fiction" as "gospel" and never search for the Truth. Therein lies the objection.
Pure gossip here but I have it from somebody who socialized with Tom Hanks that he was a total arrogant loud mouthed bore who acts out badly and has to be yelled at by his wife. I didn't necessarily figure him for it. I'm sure the incidents described happened, although there can be two sides to every story.
I think Tommy is fighting a straw man.
Well, you could ask them what about a fairy tale don't they get regarding this movie?
Tell them Star Wars wasn't real as well.
I got turned off on him when he started "issue" films like "Philadelphia".
He's pseudo-deep and pseudo-wholesome.
I think we all know non-actors who fit that description pretty well, too! ;)
It's okay, nobody's perfect. Oops, I forgot Andy Garcia. See? ;^)
Tommy boy must be in on a cut from the proceeds...
LOL! That's right. Probably just some gurgling sounds from the stump.
Mr. Van Gogh would also disagree... were he alive.
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