Time Machine: Beyond the Da Vinci Code (2005) (TV)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Will Ehbrecht

Writers:

Rob Blumenstein (writer)
Thomas Quinn (writer)

Release Date:

16 January 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary

Plot:

Dramatic reenactments of the 2000-year alternative history suggested by "The Da Vinci Code" and a documentary exploration of how much of this account is true and how much is fiction.

Plot Keywords:

Crucifixion | Leonardo Da Vinci | Secret Code | Interview | Mary Magdalene

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Stephen Wozniak	...	Jesus Christ
Claudia Cox	...	Mary Magdalene
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Danny Burstein	...	Himself (as Dan Burstein)
Jean-Luc Chaumeil	...	Himself
Timothy Freke	...	Himself
Deirdre Good	...	Herself (as Dr. Deirdre Good)
George Gorse	...	Himself
Edward Herrmann	...	Narrator
Richard Leigh	...	Himself - Author
John LoBiondo	...	Torturer
Dr. Karen Ralls	...	Herself
Andrew Soane	...	Himself
Margaret Starbird	...	Herself

Runtime:

USA:90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

Weller/Grossman Productions

Trivia:

Experts in the show include Oxford Professor Karen Ralls, religion history author Timothy Freke, and Richard Leigh, the co-author of "Holy Blood, Holy Grail", the 1982 book upon which "The Da Vinci Code" based much of its history. The program was shot in places like Rosslin Chapel in Scotland, the London Temple (built by the Templar Knights), various cities in Southern France, and at the Louvre Pyramid, all of which are featured in the book. The program is also the first widescreen, high-definition program produced for The History Channel. It premiered 16 January 2005 at 8 pm pst., and aired again 17 January 2005 at 6 pm.

Not afraid in showing both sides of the story.

This was shown recently here in my country as part of The Da Vinci Code specials. With the whole buzz over the book and now the movie adaptation, it was a high time for me to understand more about it.

Given I had read the book and had watched the movie already. No offence there, but I am viewing all these from a non-Christian point-of-view. And also as someone who had once attended a missionary school (a partial government-funded school) in her younger days and whatever she knew of Christianity was through chapel sessions near the school, it had actually really made me question more about the Christianity I thought I knew and whatever those claims being made in those past documentaries prior to watching this.

I was actually weary before I watched this documentary because I was worried it will turn out like the other documentaries (not naming names here) I had watched so far in regards to The Da Vinci Code and everything in between where it often most of the time showed only a side of the story. To understand why there are people out there who believe in the bloodline, it's always best to invite them and let them stake their claims. To listen and understand from people like Richard Leigh (co-author of 'Holy Blood, Holy Grail') and the other authors being featured in the documentary also like Margaret Starbird ('The Woman With The Alabaster Jar') and the other authors who also wrote books about the bloodline and everything in between whom were being part of the documentary...is a refreshing change.

Yes, this TV documentary also had invited historians as well and it's also good to hear that side of the story too. Having both sides of the story is what this documentary had did, I can dare say.

If you want to watch a documentary where the books which (might) had been partially the inspiration for The Da Vinci Code ('Holy Blood, Holy Grail' and 'The Woman With The Alabaster Jar' are actually among the books mentioned in Dan Brown's controversial bestseller), not afraid in hearing the other side of the story which may challenge what you already know of Christianity and more of the religion which is one of the oldest in the world, this is for you.