Beyond the Da Vinci Code (2005 TV Movie) User Reviews

Not a spoiler but not a rave either

[r neuville · 7/10 · 28 November 2006]

A very good summarization of the controversial points of the novel, followed by a survey of legends and showing the same footage, and followed by a historical contradiction of the novel again reshowing the same footage. It could eliminate the repetition and spend more time with the talking heads' providing more depth. Some -- but not all -- dicta are generally superficial, considering the importance of the subject matter.

Perhaps the History Channel's repeating summaries after each commercial break is intended to bring late viewers up-to-date, but it is annoying. In fact, the History Channel seems to do this recycling with all the shows which I have watched.

H. Richmond Neuville, Ph.D.

Not afraid in showing both sides of the story.

[dy158 · 8/10 · 31 May 2006]

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.

Beyond the Davinci Code

[ritaq482 · 9/10 · 13 September 2005]

I thought this was an excellent critique of the book and should have won at least one Emmy. I realize it was up against a former multiple winner, but too bad there's not room for the History Channel projects, as well as shows on some of the less touted channels and less expensive projects. Maybe the financial aspect should be considered along with the creative and technical angles.

Do HBO and PBS have to be the winners all the time? Maybe someday the voters will watch something other than the main channels. Hopefully, with more new and good shows on some of the lesser channels, this will change in the future.

Interesting analysis

[pdivins · 8/10 · 19 February 2005]

I saw this before reading the book. It was interesting even though I hadn't read the book. I thought it presented some of the ideas from _The Da Vinci_ code, including the alternate grail meaning, the history of the Knights Templar, information about Rosslyn chapel,in an interesting manner. However, someone who had already read the book was disappointed in the show, because it didn't go too far in depth on the issues. It may be a little disappointing if you are looking to find out a lot more about the book's theories. I read the book subsequently, and I found it gave some context to the book. It might have taken some of the fun out of the book, because there wasn't a whole lot to the book beyond revealing the "truth."