| The Da Vinci Code (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition) |  | Director: Ron Howard
Actors: Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Jean Reno, Ian McKellen, Paul Bettany
Studio: Sony Pictures
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.94
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Rating:  637 reviews
Sales Rank: 3,655
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Languages: English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), English (Original Language), French (Original Language), Latin (Original Language)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 99
Discs: 2
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Running Time: 149 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: 043396148345
UPC: 043396148345
EAN: 0043396148345
ASIN: B00005JOC9
Theatrical Release Date: May 19, 2006
Release Date: November 14, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Symbologist Robert Langdon and cryptologist Sophie Neveu join to solve a bizarre murder leading them to a mysterious society which has protected a sec
Amazon.com
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. 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 plot is concocted of such a preposterous formula of elements that you wouldn't envy screenwriter Akiva Goldsman, the man tasked with making this story filmable. The script follows Dan Brown's book as closely as possible while incorporating a few needed changes, including a better ending. And if you're like most of the world, by now you've read the book and know how it goes: while lecturing in Paris, noted Harvard Professor of Symbology Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) is summoned to the Louvre by French police to help decipher a bizarre series of clues left at the scene of the murder of the chief curator. Enter Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou), gifted cryptologist. Neveu and Langdon team up to solve the mystery, and from there the story is propelled across Europe, ballooning into a modern-day mini-quest for the Holy Grail, where secret societies are discovered, codes are broken, and murderous albino monks are thwarted… oh, and alternative theories about the life of Christ and the beginnings of Christianity are presented too, of course. It's not the typical formula for a stock Hollywood thriller. In fact, taken solely as a mystery, the movie almost works--despite some gaping holes--mostly just because it keeps moving. Brown's greatest trick was to have the entire story take place in one day, so the action is forced to keep moving, despite some necessary pauses for exposition. As a screen couple, Hanks and Tautou are just fine together but not exactly memorable; meanwhile Sir Ian McKellen's scenery-chewing as pivotal character Sir Leigh Teabing is just what the film needed to keep it from taking itself too seriously. The whole thing is like a good roller-coaster ride: try not to think too much about it--just sit back and enjoy the trip. --Daniel Vancini 
Visit The Da Vinci Code Store | On The DVD
The DVD extras on a film as popular as The Da Vinci Code should be plentiful, and this version doesn't skimp. With over 90 minutes of special features, including ten behind-the-scenes featurettes, there's a lot here to explore beyond the film itself. The question is, is there anything new here that we haven't heard before, in all the hype, pseudo-documentaries, and controversy surrounding the movie, to make it worthwhile? For most viewers, the answer will be "yes." Essentially, if you like the movie, if you enjoyed the book, you will get a lot out of them. Just as the movie is intended to make the book come to life, the DVD extras should make the film come to life by pointing the audience into the world of the filmmakers, connecting the dots between print and film, and for the most part they do just that. The extras here range from the typical look behind-the-scenes to more in-depth features on the supporting characters, the locations, and the Mona Lisa herself. "First Day on the Set with Ron Howard" features the director gushing about the opportunity to film in the Louvre and work with Tom Hanks again (the two worked together before on Splash and Apollo 13). It's a short piece that doesn't reveal much beyond making an attempt to share Howard's excitement (with the "Gee, I really loved working with him/her on this project" that you hear in every such featurette), but viewers might enjoy seeing how the stage was set up in the famous museum, down to the spike tape on the floor showing actors where to hit their marks. The Filmmaking Experience, Parts 1 and 2 further explores the creative and technical aspects of the filmmaking process. A Conversation with Dan Brown starts out feeling like a puff-piece (the man who wrote this book got started at age 5 with a story called The Giraffe, The Pig, and the Pants on Fire. "It was a thriller," he says.) and unfortunately it doesn't go very deep into much of anything of interest. But on the other hand, this isn't 60 Minutes here; it's intended to give viewers a better sense of the man behind the franchise, which it does. Much of the footage from this interview is sprinkled throughout some of the other featurettes. Meanwhile, the character behind the franchise, Robert Langdon, is examined in his own featurette, as is Sophie Neveu. The cool thing here is getting under the skin of the actors to see how they approached the characters, knowing that most of the movie-going public already has formed their own ideas about the characters from the book. The most interesting extras are the featurettes that focus on the history behind the mystery. Or is it the mystery behind the history? Either way, the first one on the Mona Lisa, and the second featurette on the many codes and symbols that are hidden throughout the movie balance out the remainder of the extras nicely by demonstrating the sense of intrigue, mystery, and game-playing adventure that made The Da Vinci Code so popular in the first place. --Daniel Vancini Beyond The Da Vinci Code 
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More About The Artist | Stills from The Da Vinci Code (click for larger image)
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 637
 Fun & Exciting Chase Through History & Mystery w/ Panache November 13, 2006
G. R. Adams (Texas)
21 out of 23 found this review helpful
Prepare to be entertained. Having read the novel first, and also armed with the blasting reviews the film received, I kept my expectations low as I prepared to see this movie. However this is a very fine film. I found it respectful and tasteful in presentation of those sensitive issues which seem to be so threatening to so many. Besides it's just plain beautiful to look at. The scenery and cinematography is not to be missed, and keep your eyes moving about the backgrounds and details as you watch.
Of course, few films can capture better the scope and mental details we add as we read an intelligently written book, but one would really be missing out to avoid seeing this one. I don't believe the filmmakers were seriously looking to convert anyone, merely create enjoyable and thought-provoking entertainment. I'd personally rather have something to think about during and after a film other than not, which is so often the case today.
There are also some nice goodies packaged in this DVD set, and I'm looking forward to receiving my copy. If you have any interest in history whatsoever, or in mindbenders, you should enjoy this. Without the background interest? It is, after all, an action adventure movie filmed in incredible places! See it!
True to the book; a strangely beautiful film September 1, 2006
B. Mc Donald (CA USA)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
The Da Vinci Code, directed by Ron Howard, is an excellent adaptation of Brown's novel that leaves you with an odd mixture of quizzicality, wonder and contentment by the time the movie is over.
All the actors put in an excellent performance, but Audrey Tautou, the actress who plays Sophie Neveu, is exactly how I imagined her when I was reading the book and practically steals the show with the interpretation of her character.
As those who have read the book know, the plot goes into very controversial subject-matter, and that atmosphere of intrigue, mystery, religious zeal and hermeticism that keeps you in its grip from the first page to the last is expertly conveyed in the film. Lavish production, beautiful sets and locations (the Louvre!) and an ending that pretty much left me in a daze (I enjoyed the ending more watching the movie than when I read the book) make for a truly magical movie-going experience.
An exciting adventure for viewers with open minds August 27, 2006
Ronald L. Russell (Pangaea)
12 out of 14 found this review helpful
The film adaptation of Dan Brown's book, "The Da Vinci Code" can be viewed as a test to determine how receptive the readers mind is to new ideas. Be warned, some of the ideas presented in this story can be very uncomfortable for some people, depending on their religious convictions and on their receptivity. However, the material contained in his book is relevant on several levels.
First, the plot deals with a theme which is near the hearts of hundreds of millions of potential viewers, namely the history of the Christian Church. The story challenges readers with new information which may not agree with what they think they already know.
Second, the story is exquisitely well researched, drawing from documents as old as the 1st century, through medievel Holy Grail legends, through Renaissance paintings, and ties them together into what the British used to call "a ripping yarn".
Third, although most of the characters in the story are fictional, many of the concepts presented in the story are historically true. It is perhaps this last point which has created the greatest amount of controversy.
The movie (and the book upon which it is based) develops the idea that before Christianity, many religions embraced a balanced worldview in which the sacred feminine principle and the sacred masculine principle joined to maintain harmony. That this was once the case is evident from the mythology of many cultures, with their pantheons of gods and goddesses. However, Brown writes that Jesus embraced these ideas as well, a notion which would have been radical to patriarchal Jews of that time, and would certainly have stepped on the toes of the Jewish clergy.
Brown does a good job of supporting this idea, and echoes what is documented in many other historical non-fiction works, such as "The Chalice And The Blade" by Riane Eisler.
Perhaps the most difficult aspect of the story for some readers to accept is that in addition to his revolutionary teachings, Jesus lived as did other Jewish men in his culture, and took a wife, Mary Magdelene, and had children with her, descendants of whom survive in the present day. Documents written in the first century comment on Jesus relationship with Mary, however these were eventually suppressed several hundred years later following the Nicean council. Interestingly, the four canonical gospels do not specifically deny that Jesus married, and are completely silent regarding his life between age 12 and age 30. Any given reader will accept or reject this premise of a married Jesus depending primarily on what they choose to accept as evidence.
Whether a reader believes that Jesus married or not, the premise does make a great "what if" foundation on which to construct a thrilling story, in a manner similar to "what if" the Ark of the Covenant were still in existence, and an archeologist found it? (i.e. Raiders of the Lost Ark). One does not need to actually believe that the Ark still exists, or even that it ever existed, in order to be entertained. Such is the case with "The Da Vinci Code".
As was the case with films such as "The Last Temptation of Christ", many (although certainly not all) Christians do not like to hear that what they already believe may not be completely accurate.
For some people, anything which might require a readjustment in thinking is automatically branded a falsehood. These are the people who picket movie theatres protesting films which they have never seen, or who write reviews slamming books which they have never read.
In an ironic manner, these people become part of a policy of suppression which attempts to block access to alternative information which presents a different view. As one who prefers to weigh both sides of issues and decide for myself what makes more sense, all the protests and denials made me want to read the book, and see to the film, even more.
Although difficult for some to admit, the reality is that sometimes new information becomes available which renders previous understandings obsolete. For example, we now know that diseases are caused by germs and virus, and not by an imbalance in four humours as was once believed. We also now know that Earth is spherical, and orbits the Sun, instead of being flat and located at the center of the Universe, as was once widely believed by Christians (the ancient pagans knew better, as proven by their surviving writings). Some of the information in this book will be new information to some people, others already were aware of the historical elements which form the basis for this story.
I found the book to be sufficiently well written and interesting that I read it through in parts of three days. Nothing I read offended me, I read with an open mind and tended to think "Well, it COULD have happened that way".
When I read the book, I had not yet seen the movie, but was aware that Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Ian McKellan and Alfred Molina were cast in leading roles, so I tended to see them in their roles as I read.
When I actually saw the movie, I found that the story moved quite quickly, and kept me enraptured with beautiful imagery and stirring music. At times, the director caused a flashback to overlap the action on screen, so that you could see the character, and what they were remembering, at the same time. This was used in several of the scenes where Langdon was rearranging letters or images in his mind while attempting to solve a clue. At other times a similar technique was used to show modern action and action hundreds of years previously which occurred at the same location, on the screen at the same time. All of the characters were played with genuine depth, having complex, well developed personalities. Tom Hanks was very good as Robert Langdon, the expert symbologist. I especially appreciated the manner in which Audrey Tautou played Sophie Neveu, the cryptographer. In this role, she simply radiated a pure feminine quality, which, as the story developed, proved that she was the perfect choice for the role.
Sir Ian McKellan was also very good as Sir Leigh Teabing, a wealthy enthusiast in all things related to the search for Holy Grail.
Many of the twists and turns in the story came as complete surprises to me. Some of the people I was sure were sinister were actually motivated by noble intentions, and some of the people I thought were good guys turned out to be ruthless.
I strongly recommend this movie, and the book upon which it is based. For the maximum enjoyment, see the movie first, then go back and read the book for additional details.
I eagerly look forward to the movies release on DVD.
Simply wonderful July 23, 2006
Sascha Fink (Allentown, PA USA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I never listen to critics. No one should. I loved to book The Da Vinci Code, not only for it's raw FACTS concerning the Christian destruction of the indiginous Pagan/Goddess oriented religions around the world and it's campaign against women for 2,000 years, but for the intellectual treasure hunt it contained. I'm not surprised that the critics hated it. I think they were afraid to say they liked it.
For those of you who have not read the book, I can understand how you may think it's choppy and disjointed. For those of us who did read the book, it flowed beautifully. The sections of the book that had to be reduced or elimated due to time constraints were handled properly. It is understandable that not all the subtle plot points can be translated into film. Ron Howard managed to do so smoothly and without detracting from the main plot.
The music was beautiful and haunting and I left the theater in a state of calm bliss. In the end, the movie might do its job and get you to read the book. You won't be sorry.
Belief December 13, 2006
C. leary (the Real World)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
OK; let's be clear on something. This is a work of fiction. It is well crafted, slick, and enticing in it's message. But it is fiction. However, let's also be clear on some other things. First, many of the points that are made here ARE true. Which ones? Well, I'll avoid spoilers but suffice it to say that people often ask me if I am an atheist. No, I say, I do not deny the possibility of a higher being. But I do deny the church. This story shows clearly how organized religion has routinely destroyed the best messages but corrupting them with greed, lust for power, and cruelty. Groups of men made human choices and wrote human words to describe a system that would keep them in power, and this story delves into that. It delves into the little known facts surrounding the so-called "holy" bible...the idea that what we know as the bible today differed greatly from what it once was. And so on. I do not seek to destroy faith, neither does this story. What it DOES do is hopefully entice the viewer/reader to THINK for THEIRSELF.
This is a fun, well-acted, well-photographed story from a well-written and enjoyable work of modern fiction. I hope that if nothing else, it creates THOUGHT about the topic, and maybe, just maybe, people will begin to see the formal religious institutions such as Christianity for what they are...
Showing reviews 1-5 of 637
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