05-21-2006, 09:05 PM
http://newsbusters.org/stories/dv.html?q=node/5402
<b>Da Vinci Code Actor: Bible Should Have 'Fiction' Disclaimer</b>
by Mark Finkelstein on May 17, 2006 - 08:44.
If "The Da Vinci Code" was already feeding the flames of controversy with
its challenge to the basic tenets of Christianity, actor Ian McKellen
managed to pour a refinery tank's worth of gasoline on the fire on this
morning's 'Today' show, asserting that the Bible should carry a disclaimer
saying that it is "fiction."
Matt Lauer, in his second day "On The Road With The Code," was in Cannes for
the film festival, where the Code will have its debut. It has already been
screened to some critics, who have given it decidedly mixed reviews.
As I reported here, NBC reporter Melissa Stark yesterday dipped a timid toe
in the sea of controversy when she interviewed Code director Ron Howard,
asking how he reacted to the controversy the movie has created . . . for the
Church! Sounding more like a sensitivity trainer than a Hollywood director,
Howard offered up some ambiguous prose about it being healthy thing for
people to engage their beliefs.
Lauer took the bull of controversy more directly by the horns when he
interviewed the cast and director Howard today. Said Lauer:
"There have been calls from some religious groups, they wanted a disclaimer
at the beginning of this movie saying it is fiction <b>because 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. </b>What I'm saying is, *people wanted this to say 'fiction,
fiction, fiction'. How would you all have felt if there was a disclaimer at
the beginning of the movie? *Would it have been okay with you?"
There was a pause, and then famed British actor Ian McKellen [Gandalf of
Lord of the Rings], piped up:
"*<b>Well, I've often thought the Bible should have a disclaimer in the front
saying this is fiction.</b> I mean, walking on water, 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 think audiences are clever enough
and bright enough to separate out fact and fiction, and discuss the thing
after they've seen it."
With the camera focused on McKellen, one could hear a distinctly nervous
laugh in the background, seeming to come from either actor Tom Hanks or
director Howard. McKellen's stunning bit of blasphemy is likely to test the
adage that all publicity is good publicity.
<i>*Finkelstein, recently a guest on the **Lars Larson Show**, lives in the
liberal haven of Ithaca, NY, where he hosts the award-winning public-access
TV show 'Right Angle'. Contact him at **m...@gunhill.net* </i>
<b>Da Vinci Code Actor: Bible Should Have 'Fiction' Disclaimer</b>
by Mark Finkelstein on May 17, 2006 - 08:44.
If "The Da Vinci Code" was already feeding the flames of controversy with
its challenge to the basic tenets of Christianity, actor Ian McKellen
managed to pour a refinery tank's worth of gasoline on the fire on this
morning's 'Today' show, asserting that the Bible should carry a disclaimer
saying that it is "fiction."
Matt Lauer, in his second day "On The Road With The Code," was in Cannes for
the film festival, where the Code will have its debut. It has already been
screened to some critics, who have given it decidedly mixed reviews.
As I reported here, NBC reporter Melissa Stark yesterday dipped a timid toe
in the sea of controversy when she interviewed Code director Ron Howard,
asking how he reacted to the controversy the movie has created . . . for the
Church! Sounding more like a sensitivity trainer than a Hollywood director,
Howard offered up some ambiguous prose about it being healthy thing for
people to engage their beliefs.
Lauer took the bull of controversy more directly by the horns when he
interviewed the cast and director Howard today. Said Lauer:
"There have been calls from some religious groups, they wanted a disclaimer
at the beginning of this movie saying it is fiction <b>because 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. </b>What I'm saying is, *people wanted this to say 'fiction,
fiction, fiction'. How would you all have felt if there was a disclaimer at
the beginning of the movie? *Would it have been okay with you?"
There was a pause, and then famed British actor Ian McKellen [Gandalf of
Lord of the Rings], piped up:
"*<b>Well, I've often thought the Bible should have a disclaimer in the front
saying this is fiction.</b> I mean, walking on water, 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 think audiences are clever enough
and bright enough to separate out fact and fiction, and discuss the thing
after they've seen it."
With the camera focused on McKellen, one could hear a distinctly nervous
laugh in the background, seeming to come from either actor Tom Hanks or
director Howard. McKellen's stunning bit of blasphemy is likely to test the
adage that all publicity is good publicity.
<i>*Finkelstein, recently a guest on the **Lars Larson Show**, lives in the
liberal haven of Ithaca, NY, where he hosts the award-winning public-access
TV show 'Right Angle'. Contact him at **m...@gunhill.net* </i>