Posted on 05/12/2006 2:12:02 PM PDT by wagglebee
"Da Vinci Code” director Ron Howard has said there would be no disclaimer in the film labeling it as a work of fiction – and Catholic League President Bill Donohue is deeply disturbed by Howard’s stance.
"The book which the film is based on begins with three ‘facts,’ all of which are malicious lies, yet Ron Howard says no disclaimer is needed because ‘this is a work of fiction,’” Donahue said in a statement. "He is disingenuous.”
As Donahue points out, the following got a disclaimer in a fictionalized TV show or film:
Asians: "Year of the Dragon”
Blacks: "Birth of a Nation”
Gays: "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back”
Jews: "Merchant of Venice”
Mormons: "Big Love”
Muslims: "True Lies”
Native Americans: "Pocahontas II”
Nearsighted: "Mr. Magoo”
Wolves: "White Fang”
Donahue declares: "That’s right — even wolves merited a disclaimer. Disney put a disclaimer in ‘White Fang’ saying there is no evidence of a healthy pack of wolves attacking a human in North America.
"Forget about wolves. If Howard were as sensitive to Catholics as those responsible for ‘La Vita E Bella’ were to Jews, he would have acceded to our request to inject a disclaimer. That 1998 film — a dark comedy about the Holocaust — opened with a voice-over saying it is a fable. So is ‘The Da Vinci Code.’”
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times on Sunday, Howard rejected calls for a disclaimer, stating: "This is a work of fiction that presents a set of characters that are affected by these conspiracy theories and ideas. Those characters in this work of fiction act and react on that premise.
"It’s not history. To start with a disclaimer … spy thrillers don’t start off with disclaimers.”
However, in the book the movie is based on, author Dan Brown claims on the first page that "all descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents and secret rituals in this novel are accurate,” indicating the book is based on historical fact.
Donahue said in his statement: "John Calley, a co-producer of ‘The Da Vinci Code,’ has admitted that the film is anti-Catholic.
"Apparently, Ron Howard is more of a gambler than I thought. Had he done what other directors have done before him and put in a disclaimer, the risks to his reputation would have been minimal. Now it’s show time for Mr. Howard, and not just his movie.”
"...how about I write a book about your mother and portray her as a lying crack-whore?"
LOL! That about sums it up.
LOL...
They should have had a disclaimer for all straight people for Brokeback Mountain
GO GET 'EM!!!!!
You're so much more brilliant than everyone else. Can I touch you?
BTW, Rosemary's Baby was and is a great satire of what we would today call yuppies.
"You're so much more brilliant than everyone else. Can I touch you?"
LOL!!!
I'm just a master of the obvious is all.
Ironically I also find it disturbing that many people put so much truck in the scientific "accuracy" of State of Fear.
You'd be surprised.
Of course not because so many people do believe it is true, and many more want others to think so. We are not all stupid out here Ron!!!
But no one has the right to drag Christian beliefs in the mud either. This book is trash and should be called what it is a fantasy. There are so many people ignorant of Who Jesus is. This film will just add to their ignorance as they believe they are really seeing truth. How sad.
You'd be surprised by how many Protestants think it's the truth.
"Henry Winkler is Jewish."
No way the Fonz is Jewish. He's as Italian as that guy with the funny hat in those Marx Brothers movies.
Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see that movie as a satire, but more of a reflection and celebration of 60's "values"(I know an oxymoronic term).
My notional thought of faith fragility was directed more towards the idea of a maturity in faith rather than a depth of belief. I did not mean to imply that people would lose their faith as result of reading the book. In terms of being offended, it is pretty mild stuff.
Ron Howard: "Hey Fonz, F-you you stinking papist! Go worship the pedophile whore of babylon!""
Henry Winkler is Jewish.
I think you missed the point. The character Fonzarelli is obviously supposed to be an Italian-American, thus probably a Catholic. The statement is aimed at the Fonz, not at Henry Winkler.
So Opie grew up to be a bad boy huh? Little Richie is a sh*t disturbing liberal? Sad...So sad...
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