SUMMRY
Well done! Generally speaking, a better produced documentary than most other, on a topic that has been covered to excess in the past few years. For a 2 hour documentary, I found it to have a nice pace, good variety of interviewees, and rather entertaining... with a little history and theology mixed in. I always enjoy learning as much as I can about any particular subject, and learn alternative points of view. For me, Cracking the DaVinci Code pleasantly meets all my expectations.
If you're seeking to watch something more entertaining that educational, but still has a taste of history and theology, this is a great pick. If you're seeking an Academy Award winning scholarly documentary, you won't enjoy this production. Thanks again, HULU for the great shows you put on your site, and the more documentaries, the better, I say!
A BIT MORE
After watching many documentaries on the entire DaVinci code matter, I sadly have found so many that seemed to be just thrown together for the sake of getting something to use up air time. Compared with some others, this one is outstanding! But, that is all in comparison. Reading some of the really horrific reviews here, I would guess those folks haven't seen as many as I have on this topic, and there have been some I've seen in which I was literally baffled as to how they actually got to be aired on television. I should point out that I'm a documentary aficionado. Hence, I've seen a good dozen documentaries dedicated to 'The DaVinci Code.'
Certainly, this entire topic and documentary (and all documentaries related to this subject) are more entertainment rather than scholarly. Similar to the Dan Brown book, which is first and foremost a novel, this documentary is first and foremost entertainment. Still, there is some interesting history and theology mixed in. If the objective is to 'have the viewer explore other and/or new ideas'... then I feel Simon Cox, and this doc, does a rather good job.
As the narrator says, "Everyone loves a conspiracy theory." And I think that is why there have been so many so-called documentaries on this matter since the Dan Brown book (and movie) was released.
One person wrote that 'the lady’ was arrogant and cocky. That is a somewhat fair and accurate description. This would be Lynn Picknett. Knowing the history behind who wrote what... when, helps understand why she comes across as arrogant. It's primarily due to the fact that she feels Dan Brown 'stole' her idea. Picknett and Clive Prince wrote a book (The Templar Revelation) years before the Dan Brown novel, covering most of the same topics. Obviously, she didn't become a billionaire like Dan Brown did as a result of her book, and there is some resentment there. While Lynn can come across as arrogant, her co-author, Clive Prince balances her out with his calmness in this film.
Narrator Robert Miano's voice is fitting, well done, if not soothing. Unlike at least one other person who wrote a negative review concerning the music, I personally found it enjoyable, didn't interfere with the interviews (or voice track)... and, generally, I thought the music was just fine. Also, I found the editing appropriate for this level of a film. Likewise, I didn't find the over-all production to be 'deplorable and elementary.'
As Penny Manning and Quasi Metaphysical both hinted at, this documentary is designed to explore new and/or other possibilities, nothing more. And, like Quasi, I'm not too interested in how award-winningly presented the piece is. I personally enjoy hearing different viewpoints and gathering new information (and allowing myself to determine what I do or do not believe.)
As for a complaint as to how the people dressed, I personally find that petty (no offense.) Some of the folks being interviewed are dressed in very formal attire, others, informal. I didn't find it to be anything that notable. Simon Cox, Mark Oxbrow, and a few others have long hair, and what seems to be 'messy' hair... but, big deal.
I found this documentary to be very worthwhile watching, as long as you go into it knowing it's not meant to be a contender for an Academy Award.