By: Joshua Nichols

“Skepticism has become a virtue. Cynicism and demand for proof has become enlightened thought. Is it any wonder that humans now feel more depressed and defeated than they have at any point in human history?” – Dan Brown

Summary

The Da Vinci Code, directed by Ron Howard and based on Dan Brown’s best-selling novel of the same name, is a mystery thriller that follows symbologist Robert Langdon and cryptologist Sophie Neveu as they uncover a conspiracy hidden within the works of Leonardo da Vinci. The movie begins with the murder of the Louvre’s curator, Jacques Saunière, who leaves a series of cryptic clues leading to a profound secret. Langdon and Neveu’s investigation reveal that Saunière was part of a secret society, the Priory of Sion, which has been protecting a powerful secret for centuries. They discover that this secret pertains to the true nature of the Holy Grail, which is not a chalice but rather the bloodline of Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene. The narrative suggests that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married and had descendants, a fact supposedly suppressed by the Catholic Church to maintain its power. As they delve deeper, Langdon and Neveu are pursued by a murderous monk named Silas, who works for a radical Catholic sect, Opus Dei. This group is determined to stop them from uncovering and revealing the secret. Their quest takes them across Europe, from the Louvre in Paris to Westminster Abbey in London, as they decode hidden messages and symbols embedded in famous artworks and historical sites. Overall, “The Da Vinci Code” combines historical and religious conspiracy with a fast-paced adventure, challenging traditional interpretations of religious history and the power structures within the Catholic Church.

Religious Iconography and Practices

Leonardo Da Vinci’s Paintings

Religious iconography and practices are intricate parts of the film, not just background items, that drive the film’s narrative of history and mystery. The story weaves through a series of reinterpreted artworks and symbolic elements of Christianity, each unveiling layers of hidden meanings and alternate histories that challenge conventional religious narratives. Two of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpieces, the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, serve as central pieces in the film’s puzzle. In the Mona Lisa, Robert Langdon deciphers clues hidden within the painting’s enigmatic smile and background, suggesting a deeper connection to historical secrets guarded by the Priory of Sion, whish is a European secret society. The Last Supper, however, offers even more controversial interpretations. Langdon and Sophie Neveu propose that the figure traditionally identified as John the Apostle is actually Mary Magdalene, seated to Jesus’s right (left of Jesus from a viewer’s perspective). This reinterpreted arrangement implies a significant and intimate relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene, potentially including marriage and descendants. Such a revelation directly contradicts traditional Christian teachings and implies a deliberate suppression of truth by the Church. This suppression is shown to be happening in the film by the Catholic institution known as Opus Dei.

Opus Dei

Opus Dei, a real-life conservative Catholic organization, is depicted with a focus on its more extreme practices. The films shows many of the members of Opus Dei wearing a pin to indicate their membership. One of the main antagonists in the film is the character Silas, an albino monk and member of Opus Dei. He shows his devotion to the Catholic Church and Opus Dei by engaging in severe acts of mortification, such as self-flagellation and the use of a cilice—a spiked chain worn around the thigh. These practices, aimed at seeking penance and spiritual purification, are depicted in graphic detail, highlighting the extreme lengths to which individuals will go in their religious devotion. The film portrays Opus Dei as willing to commit extreme acts, including murder, to protect the Church’s secrets, emphasizing a theme of blind obedience.

Rosslyn Chapel

The film also explores the symbolic and historical significance of various architectural sites. Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland is presented as a source of secret knowledge, with its intricate carvings and mysterious symbols suggesting connections to the Knights Templar and the Holy Grail. The chapel’s architecture and decorations are laden with cryptic messages, representing a blend of pagan, Christian, and hidden traditions. One specific Example is the symbol of a rose that is seen throughout the film as a symbol of the Holy Grail. The film suggests that Rosslyn Chapel holds the final clue to the location of the Holy Grail, making it a key destination in the protagonists’ quest.

Controversy

There has been lots of pushback from the Catholic Church due to the book that the movie was adapted from. It is intriguing that many people have criticized the novel’s, considering that novels are fictional by nature. The uproar and debate surrounding the book mainly arise from its preface, which declares:

Fact:

The Priory of Sion —a European secret society founded in 1099—is a real organization. In 1975, Paris’s Bibliothèque Nationale discovered parchments known as Les Dossiers Secrets, identifying numerous members of the Priory of Sion, including Sir Isaac Newton, Botticelli, Victor Hugo, and Leonardo da Vinci.

The Vatican prelature known as Opus Dei is a deeply devout Catholic group that has been the topic of recent controversy due to reports of brain-washing, coercion, and a practice known as “corporal mortification.” Opus Dei has just completed construction of a $47 million National Headquarters at 243 Lexington Avenue in New York City.

All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate.

This claim is accurate, but only to a limited degree. While the portrayals of artwork in the book such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and The Last Supper are visual precise and accurately described, the interpretations of said paintings are up for debate. The novel itself does not claim that any of the interpretations by characters in the book are accurate. This is also true for the film. With that being said, there was still comments on the film made by a cardinal of the Catholic Church on Vatican Radio. Archbishop of Genoa spoke about the book saying, “Don’t buy it […] it aims to discredit the church and its history through gross and absurd manipulations.” While this was referring to the novel and not the film, it is still important to realize the effect of speaking about anything to do with the Catholic Church is welcoming backlash.

Conclusion

These elements collectively challenge the audience to reconsider established interpretations of religious symbols, practices, and history. The film suggests that history, as recorded and taught by powerful institutions like the Church, may conceal profound truths. By presenting alternative narratives and hidden symbols, “The Da Vinci Code” invites viewers to question the reliability of historical accounts and the motives behind religious teachings.

Through its intricate blend of art, history, and speculative fiction, “The Da Vinci Code” not only entertains but also provokes thought about the nature of faith, the exercise of religious authority, and the search for truth. It encourages a more critical and inquisitive approach to understanding the past and its impact on contemporary religious and cultural identity.