Da Vinci Code Actor McKellan: Bible as Much "Fiction" as Movie

MRC

[Conservative Coulter Fan]

Da Vinci Code actor: Bible as much "fiction" as the movie. In a Wednesday Today session in Cannes, France with actors and producers of the Da Vinci Code movie, Matt Lauer asked about how, given how many want the movie to be clearly labeled "fiction," they would have "felt if there was a disclaimer at the beginning of the movie? Would it have been okay with you?" Actor Ian McKellen replied: "Well I've often thought that the, the Bible should have a disclaimer in the front saying, this is fiction. I mean walking on water? I mean 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, I think, I think audiences are clever enough and bright enough to separate out, separate out fact and fiction and discuss the thing when they've seen it." Unfazed by McKellan's slam at the Bible, Lauer moved ahead with his agenda: "Would it have mattered to the rest of you? Would it have bothered you if there had been a disclaimer?"

     The MRC's Geoff Dickens provided this transcript of the relevant portion of the 8am half hour outdoor segment on the May 17 Today:

     Matt Lauer: "Let me ask you all to jump in on this. There have been calls for some religious groups. They wanted a disclaimer at, at the beginning of this movie saying it is fiction because, again, 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. Tom's looking like, 'what?'"
     Tom Hanks: "Was that in the book?"
     Lauer: "But what I'm saying, people wanted us to say, 'fiction, fiction, fiction.' How would you have all felt if there was a disclaimer at the beginning of the movie? Would it have been okay with you?"
     Sir Ian McKellen: "Well I've often thought that the, the Bible should have a disclaimer in the front saying, this is fiction. I mean walking on water? I mean 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, I think, I think audiences are clever enough and bright enough to separate out, separate out fact and fiction and discuss the thing when they've seen it."
     Lauer: "Would it have mattered to the rest of you? Would it have bothered you if there had been a disclaimer?"
     Alfred Molina: "The, the movie's job isn't to be true to be real, the movie's job is to be as plausible and as authentic as, as it can be. And like all good fiction it's underpinned by elements that are plausible and authentic and, and, and, and again like all good fiction it makes the, it provokes the audience into asking what if?"
     Ron Howard: "You know and, and, and you know when you do a thriller which this is. This is mystery thriller. It's, it's, you know it's about something unfolding and of course there is a disclaimer. As, as, as in all works of fiction it's on the end of the movie but you wouldn't start off a spy thriller or a, or, or a story about, you know intrigue in the White House by saying this, this couldn't happen. You want the audience to lose themselves in it and then trust the audience they're gonna take what ideas that interest them or not and deal with it later."
     Lauer: "Is, is this a case where if people's faith is shaken by this movie the faith probably wasn't strong enough to begin with?"
     McKellen: "There ya go."
     Lauer: "Is that how you look at it?"
     Molina: "Yeah."

     On the MRC's NewsBusters blog on Wednesday morning, Mark Finkelstein posted an item about McKellan's take on the Bible, to which the MRC's Michelle Humphrey added video: newsbusters.org

     The DrudgeReport.com picked up the item, leading to a big visitor day to NewsBusters, and to ABC's World News Tonight featuring McKellan's comment.

     In a Wednesday World News Tonight story on the controversy surrounding the movie based on a novel, Jake Tapper noted: "Today at the Cannes film festival in France, the creators of the film tried to quell the controversy."
     Tom Hanks: "This is not a documentary. This is not something that is pulled up and says, 'these are the facts. And this is exactly what happened.'"
     Tapper: "Though one actor's comment seems likely to only inflame matters."
     Ian McKellan on NBC's Today: "Well, I'd often thought the Bible should have a disclaimer at the front saying, 'this is fiction.'"

     The Real and Windows Media video, as well as MP3 audio, will be added to the posted version of this item. In the meantime, check the NewsBusters posting or the MRC's "Hear & See the Bias" page of videos: www.mrc.org

[bobdsmith]

The guy defeated a Balrog in hand to hand combat, so give him some leeway for heavens sake

[Larry Lucido]

Someone connected to the move said something stupid! Quick, more publicity!!

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

WOW! A Theological actor.(An acting Theologian?)

[bethelgrad]

Well said.

[pogo101]

I don't think Sir Ian (who once told a crowd "but you can call me Serena!") is exactly closeted, no. Heh.

I think he's a wonderfully gifted actor and do not begrudge him his stance on political or, certainly, religious matters. But I don't like the ripping of other people's property, and his misbegotten comments at what's supposed to be an interview to GET FOLKS TO PAY TO SEE THE MOVIE. Even the most liberal of Hollywood producers would be irritated at him saying this "fiction" stuff THEN and THERE.

[FJ290]

I don't think Sir Ian (who once told a crowd "but you can call me Serena!") is exactly closeted, no. Heh.

LOL, no that's for sure. I wasn't aware he had done that. New one on me.

[MHGinTN]

Well, good actors don't usually come in educated packages anyway ... reminds me of the dribble surrounding the scoffs over the OT story of Belshazzar, critics said there never was such a king over Babylon but an Archaeologist's simple grain receipt with his name on it as lord of the realm at time of transaction squelched that foolishness.

[pogo101]

(re "call me Serena!")

That's just from Wikipedia, reporting 2d-hand about a comment before a group of athletes at the 1994 Gay Games. Take with a grain of salt:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_McKellen#Work_for_gay_rights

[durasell]

What do you think of the Jefferson Bible?

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

Ron Howard: "...there is a disclaimer. ... it's on the end of the movie..."

Ah, so there is a disclaimer. Does it also cover Opus Dei, I wonder?

[durasell]

Ah, so there is a disclaimer. Does it also cover Opus Dei, I wonder?


It's a Ron Howard movie, so it covers Opie Dei

[nothingnew]

"Stick a dick'en'him...he's done."

FMCDH(BITS)

[AmishDude]

I think Sir Ian may be telling fibs about his fantasies. Perhaps there are full bibles in the hotels where he stays, but the Gideon society often puts in bibles with Psalms, Proverbs and the New Testament only.

[durasell]

The guy was raised in a religious household, like a lot of gay guys brought up to be religious, he's probably deeply conflicted on the subject.

[Nihil Obstat]

Tom Hanks claims to be Greek Orthodox, but I don't think they would claim him that.

[Doe Eyes]

Because Sir Ian is as gay as they come and that's why he tears pages out of Leviticus.

Since Jesus saved us, those old Testament sins are no longer applicable.

[sasportas]

If I am correct on this I think Jefferson had Unitarian beliefs. Aka he didn't believe in the deity of Christ nor his resurrection. Is that what you are getting at?

[Frank Sheed]

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/da_vinci_code/

17% and falling...

[bannie]

Lauer: "Is, is this a case where if people's faith is shaken by this movie the faith probably wasn't strong enough to begin with?"

McKellen: "There ya go."

Lauer: "Is that how you look at it?"

Molina: "Yeah."

[FJ290]

Since Jesus saved us, those old Testament sins are no longer applicable.

Thou shall not kill was on Old Testament sin too, is that no longer applicable?

Besides, this sin was mentioned several times in the New Testament.