mediawatchwatch.org.uk

(From the BBC) A group of leading UK Catholics has formed The Da Vinci Code Response Group in an effort to counter the “damaging and grotesque” account of their faith presented in the upcoming film of Dan Brown’s blockbuster.

Showing an uncharacteristic concern for truth, the group’s co-ordinator explains that they are

exasperated that many people without a good understanding of the Catholic Church and its history have been understandably deceived by Dan Brown’s claim that the Da Vinci Code is based on facts and respectable theories.

That deception is likely to be reinforced by the film because images are much more powerful than words.”

In addition, Opus Dei reiterated their demand that the film be preceded with a disclaimer:

The book is obviously trying to present fictional things as factual, and trying to deceive people in that way […]
…if you’re trying to get people to believe it’s fact when in fact it’s fiction, then that’s cheating really

Obvious irony aside, we can only imagine the outraged that would be provoked if someone made a film telling the truth about the Catholic church in all its inquisitional, wealth-hoarding, Nazi-collaborating, miracle-manufacturing glory.

Meanwhile, The Telegraph reveals John Beyer to be in his usual state of bafflement – this time at the British Board of Film Classification’s decision to award the Da Vinci Code a 12A certificate only after it ensured that Sony toned down the frightening soundtrack and bone-cracking sound effects:

You do have to wonder if just turning down the sound is going to help matters that much

quoth the Sage of Ashford.