Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3362 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-10-16
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Dubbed, PAL
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Dutch, Hindi, Czech, Italian, English
• Dubbed in: Czech, Italian
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 143 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Critics and controversy aside, The Da Vinci Code is a verifiable blockbuster. Combine the film's huge worldwide box-office take with over 100 million copies of Dan Brown's book sold, and The Da Vinci Code has clearly made the leap from pop-culture hit to a certifiable franchise (games and action figures are sure to follow). The leap for any story making the move from book to big screen, however, is always more perilous. In the case of The Da Vinci Code, the story is concocted of such a preposterous formula of elements that you wouldn't envy Akiva Goldsman, the screenwriter who was handed a potentially unfilmable book and asked to make a filmable script out of it. Goldsman's solution was to have the screenplay follow the book as closely as possible, with a few needed changes, including a better ending. The result is a film that actually makes slightly better entertainment than the book.

So if you're like most of the world, by now you've read the book and know that it starts out as a murder mystery. While lecturing in Paris, noted Harvard Professor of Symbology Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) is summoned to the Louvre by French police help decipher a bizarre series of clues left at the scene of the murder of the chief curator, Jacques Sauniere. Enter Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou), gifted cryptologist and Sauniere's granddaughter. Neveu and Langdon are forced to team up to solve the mystery, and from there the story is propelled across Europe as it balloons into a modern-day mini-quest for the Holy Grail, complete with alternative theories about the life of Christ, ancient secret societies headed by historical figures like Leonardo Da Vinci, secret codes, conniving bishops, daring escapes, car chases, and, of course, a murderous albino monk controlled by a secret master who calls himself "The Teacher."

Taken solely as a mystery thriller, the movie almost works--despite some gaping holes--mostly just because it keeps moving forward at the breakneck pace set in the book. Brown's greatest trick might have been to have the entire story take place in a day so that the action is forced to keep going, despite some necessary pauses for exposition. Hanks and Tautou are just fine together but not exactly a memorable screen pair; meanwhile, Sir Ian McKellen's scenery-chewing as pivotal character Sir Leigh Teabing is just what the film needs to keep it from taking itself too seriously. In the end, this hit movie is just like a good roller-coaster ride: try not to think too much about it--just sit back and enjoy the trip. --Daniel Vancini, Amazon.com

Synopsis
Dr. Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks, FORREST GUMP) and cryptologist Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou, AMELIE) set out to uncover the truth about The Holy Grail, encountering a mysterious ancient society on the way. Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is on business in Paris when he is called to the Louvre, where a curator he was due to meet has been murdered. There he meets police cryptologist Sophie Neveu, the granddaughter of the murdered curator. A number of symbols and riddles have been found at the murder scene and the duo set about solving the complex mystery. However, Bezu Fache (Jean Reno, LEON)--the police officer in charge of the investigation--believes that Langdon is implicated in the killing. This leads to Langdon being chased by the French police as he attempts to solve the mystery by following secret clues found in the works of artist Leonardo Da Vinci. Langdon and Neveu escape to England to continue their search for clues in the mystery that has the possibility to upset the very foundations of Christianity, a search that brings them into conflict with Catholic organisation Opus Dei and their dangerous monk Silas (Paul Bettany, GANGSTER NO. 1). Screenwriter Akiva Goldsman (I, ROBOT) manages to transform Dan Brown's tremendously successful novel into a thrilling and fast paced script that is expertly directed by Ron Howard (APOLLO 13). The film was the target of criticism by the Roman Catholic Church but this didn't stop THE DA VINCI CODE becoming a worldwide smash hit.

Customer Reviews

FORREST GUMP PLAYING DETECTIVE
THIS IS ONE OF THE WORST MOVIES EVER.IT IS REALLY BORING.
WHAT COULD BE WORSE THAN WATCHING FORREST GUMP PLAYING DETECTIVE IN A MUSEUM.

Better than you might think
I remember when this movie first came out and it received an absolute barrage of negative reviews.I have seen it three times now and enjoyed it each and every time.Yes,it is complex and may be a bit too long,but Ron Howard ties everything together very well and does a fine job with his direction.

The acting is fine throughout with Tom Hanks giving one of his best performances despite many people saying that the role didn't suit him.The best performance comes from Ian McKellen though who pretty much dominates every scene he is in.Audrey Tautou does look uncomfortable at times but is lovely and the rest of the cast is fine.

With excellent locations,very good music and a story that makes you think,'The Da Vinci Code' may well come as a pleasant surprise.I have no hesitation in giving it four stars out of five.There are also several interesting extras on the two disc edition.

It did well to stick to the book.
The Plot
When the curator of the Louvre is murdered, number one suspect, Havard Professor Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) is called in to solve the cryptic messages that were left behind. Soon enough he is following a trail of clues through the works of Da Vinci, with the help of cryptologist Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tauton). From galleries in France, to churches in England, the pair are hunted by the police and a deadly killer, sent ot stop the truth from ever getting out.

The Characters
Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) - A Havard Professor who's books on Religous Symbols interested the head of a powerful brotherhood, ultimately leading him to discover one of the biggest cover-ups ever.
Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tauton) - The French cryptologist who gets caught up in the mess through family connections and ends up becoming a wanted criminal.
Leigh Teabing (Ian McKellen) - The retired historian who's knowledge on the Holy Grail brings Robert and Sophie to his front door.

Other Characters
Captain Bezu Fache (Jean Reno)
Bishop Aringarosa (Alfred Molina)
Silas (Paul Bettany)

Review
The critiscm following the film is mainly the critics who didnt like the book. The film isnt bad, it is just some people who never liked the story anyway.
Everyone had a good performance (although Hanks was maybe a miss-cast) and Jean Reno and Ian McKellen were especially good.
The film stuck to the book very well for the first half but they probably decided they were running out of time and mist a few majoy bits out towards the end.
Some say the film was too long but it needs to be if you are going to have a realistic attempt of keeping the story close to a 600 page book. It was interesting all the way through and it is defiantely one you can watch again.

Overall a thouroughly enjoyable watch and I recommened it to anyone who liked the book. 10/10!