Another recurring theme between the two Dan Brown films that colours the background is the presence of a tireless investigator … one in service to the Church. The first was a member of Opus Dei: Captain Bezu Fache (played by cinema’s Frenchman Jean Reno) in the Da Vinci Code (2006).
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Angels and Demons (2009) went inside the Church for the devout and devoted investigator, a member of the Swiss guard - Commander Richter, played by Stellen Skarsgaard. Both investigators had loyal sidekicks who did their bidding along with a team of fairly good runners.
By contrast, the central protagonists were both zealots running shadow operations of which the Church had no involvement or knowledge until the end.
The culmination of Angel and Demons had the protagonist Camerlengo Patrick McKenna (Ewan McGregor) recognize his doom and remove himself from harm or prosecution, igniting himself with a candle. The Cardinal in Da Vinci Code was so shrouded in his piety as not the escape its veil even until the end.
Take note also of the changed backdrop between the two films: Da Vinci Code was characterized by a heavy French ambiance unlike Angels an Demons that although centred in Rome, had everyone from everywhere involved — beyond the historical commentary.
- Giving away Dan Brown (economist.com)
- Da Vinci author Dan Brown does it again (bbc.co.uk)
- Is the Bible True or False (ozatheist.wordpress.com)
RR a group of people with their own particular set of beliefs and practices, especially within or separated from a larger religious group sect a religious group that is part of a larger religious group but has slightly different beliefs, for example a Buddhist sect cult an extreme religious group that is not part of an established religion faith community a group of people living in the same area, who have a particular religion
Opus Dei
Roman Catholic organization in full Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei (Latin: “Work of God”)
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Roman Catholic lay and clerical organization whose members seek personal Christian perfection and strive to implement Christian ideals and values in their occupations and in society as a whole. Theologically conservative, Opus Dei accepts the teaching authority of the church without question and has long been the subject of controversy; it has been accused of secrecy, cultlike practices, and political ambitions. With separate branches for men and women, the organization has been headed since 1982 by a prelate elected by its members. Priests constitute only a tiny percentage of the organization, numbering some 1,900 of the 85,000 members worldwide.
“Opus Dei.” Encyclopædia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 14 Jun. 2009 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/430637/Opus-Dei>.
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Opus Dei - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
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(Latin, “work of God”), religious organization. Founded in Spain in 1928 by Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer y Albas, Opus Dei is a worldwide organization of the Roman Catholic church. A politically and religiously conservative organization, Opus Dei emphasizes church discipline and tradition in ordinary life, especially through one’s work. There are about 77,000 members worldwide-lay people of all classes and social conditions. Although members dedicate their lives to God, they retain the freedom and responsibility of their worldly lives. About 1,500 priests provide spiritual guidance to the membership. The organization operates educational institutions, student residences, youth clubs and hostels, training centers, and clinics. In 1982 it was placed under the pope’s personal direction with the full title Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei. It thus occupies a unique position in the church hierarchy as the first personal prelature. Escriva was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1992.
