Posted on 04/21/2009 8:48:34 AM PDT by kellynla
Ron Howard, director of “Angels & Demons,” the movie version of Dan Brown’s book by that name, attacked Catholic League president Bill Donohue yesterday on the Huffington Post.
Referring to a booklet on the movie that Donohue authored, “Angels & Demons: More Demonic than Angelic,” (click here) Howard wrote: “Mr. Donohue’s booklet accuses us of lying when our movie trailer says the Catholic Church ordered a brutal massacre to silence the Illuminati centuries ago. It would be a lie if we had ever suggested our movie is anything other than a work of fiction….” Howard also said that “most in the hierarchy of the Church” will enjoy his film; he denies being anti-Catholic.
Donohue responded today:
“Dan Brown says in his book that the Illuminati are ‘factual’ and that they were ‘hunted ruthlessly by the Catholic Church.’ In the film’s trailer, Tom Hanks, who plays the protagonist Robert Langdon, says ‘The Catholic Church ordered a brutal massacre to silence them forever.’ Howard concurs: ‘The Illuminati were formed in the 1600s. They were artists and scientists like Galileo and Bernini, whose progressive ideas threatened the Vatican.’
“All of this is a lie. The Illuminati were founded in 1776 and were dissolved in 1787. It is obvious that Galileo and Bernini could not possibly have been members: Galileo died in 1647 and Bernini passed away in 1680. More important, the Catholic Church never hunted, much less killed, a single member of the Illuminati. But this hasn’t stopped Brown from asserting that ‘It is a historical fact that the Illuminati vowed vengeance against the Vatican in the 1600s.’ (My emphasis.)
“Howard must be delusional if he thinks Vatican officials are going to like his propaganda—they denied him the right to film on their grounds. Moreover, we know from a Canadian priest who hung out with Howard’s crew last summer in Rome (dressed in civilian clothes) just how much they hate Catholicism. It’s time to stop the lies and come clean.”
I agree. I was so excited to see it and it was a big dud. I will not see Angels and Demons because of this. I don’t get caught up in all this see this movie or not see this movie. I see what I want to see. I make decisions for my kids of course until they are 18. But if Da Vinci Code was a good movie, I would go see Angels and Demons, but I am not wasting two hours of my life. I am a Catholic and very secure in my faith to not let a movie deter me from continuing my faith of almost 40 years.
Do you think that Dan Brown and CBS (parent compnay of his publisher) were also out to smear the Church?
I should say ‘Dan Brown and Sumner Redstone’.
I could have gone all day without seeing that...LOL
If they have changed minds it’s weak minds. No work of fiction no matter great (or in this case probably really bad) should be taken as a history lesson.
The DiVinci Code movie was dreadful. When I read the book, I envisioned Harrison Ford, but I got Tom Hanks.
I can’t imagine Angels and Demons will be much better.
I like the fantasy and treasure hunt aspects of the books. I certianly don’t take them seriously.
I much preferred the National Treasure movies. They at least encouraged the history, pride and intelligence of our Founders, even if it is also fantasy.
From Opie to Dopie. What a shame.
Ooooh... I love it. An undercover priest!
I wonder how many of them the Catholic Church has out there. If I was a leftist film-maker, I'd be very, very afraid.
Sit on it, Ron!!
I think Hanks has gone over the cliff. DaVinci code was horrible with Hanks and bet this one is worse. I am not going to waste one dime to go see the movie.
You are correct he is another Hollywood hack. His role in movies changed as he became an activist.
Noticed a lot of the actors who in previous elections had something to say were pretty quiet this time around. Would bet we would have heard more out of Hollywood if Hillary had been their nominee. Now we are hearing from the ZERO’s far left Hollywood crowd.
It’s a movie designed to influence people. There are a lot of people who think the movie JFK was real. And they can vote.
You are so right! With the author declaring the book true, I am appalled. A work of fiction yes, but true?
So we should always obey Jesus.
Matthew 16:18
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.Matthew 18:17
If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
Thanks for the reminder that both of Brown’s books and the film of ‘The Da Vinci Code’ were huge hits.
” I seemed to remember a simpler service with the father, two altar boys and less theatrics/ or whatever they’re doing now.
I almost wish for the Latin Mass and then the Gospel and homily to be in English. I’m just getting to be an old fart I guess”
Please look a little harder in your diocese. The Tridentine mass is usually available but can be difficult to find. I too, love the beauty,peacefullness and tradition of the mass in Latin.
Amazing how many people here just don’t get that.
It’s fiction, and that it starts with the word “FACT” doesn’t make it not fiction. Heck, seems a great way to promote fiction sales is to - in the context of the fiction - call it fact.
FWIW: I liked “The DaVinci Code”. It was an entertaining portrayal of vast complex ancient conspiracies, which always makes for entertaining FICTION. From the previews, I look forward to “Angels & Demons” - again, as entertaining FICTION.
One wonders if the allegations leftists make toward their enemies, secular and religious, are not projections of their own thoughts and behaviors.
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