Film-Novel Comparison Essay

Through the transformation of text to film of The Da Vinci Code, a best selling novel by Dan Brown, many aspects are lost in translation. Some main plot details were kept as precise as possible, but because of this accuracy the film compromised the overall fast and suspenseful pace of the novel. In addition, some of the forces working against the protagonist Robert Langdon seem to be confused by the screenwriter of the film. Lastly, the relationship status between the two main protagonists disappointed the movie goers as they unrealistically did not develop a romance with each other. The result is a somewhat bland movie that failed to engage viewers with suspense that the novel so easily accomplished.

The film kept many of the main story details accurate, such as the murder scene at the beginning which triggers a chain of events and many of the settings and locations. In contrast, many minor details that contributed to a better atmosphere and mood failed to appear on the film. One example of this is how in the novel Silas, the antagonist, is actually an albino with vivid red eyes, while in the film he has blue eyes, not even being close to how menacing blood red eyes would have been. Additionally, Langdon’s view on the church was toned down to be more moderate and restrained in the film during a discussion with Leigh Teabing when compared to the novel, making viewers think the writers were biased on the more aggressive views the character had in the novel. Scenes from the film were fairly long and moderately paced, whereas the novel frequently had short chapters that switched between the different character groups and often had minor cliffhangers, edging the reader to keep turning the pages.

By the end of the film, the antagonist forces got portrayed significantly different compared to the novel. Teabing, the true villain behind all the murders, was the one manipulating Bishop Aringarosa and his albino monk disciple he brought up in the church. In the film, the bishop and Silas are portrayed as selfish people who just wanted to secure for their sect a place in the church, even though it is revealed they were manipulated. This is shown by how the French police arrests Aringarosa angrily and without mercy. In the novel, the feeling of pity after having learned they were manipulated is more strongly represented, as the French police give sympathy to the bishop. Aringarosa even plans to attempt to repent for his sins of murder by distributing the Vatican cash bonds he had received as payment to the families of the victims.

The two hour and thirty minute long journey of the film created an exciting quest that revolved around the two protagonists Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu. All through the movie many hardships and riddles were accomplished as they became dragged in a winding roller coaster ride of thrills and suspense; however, the end produced a most unsatisfactory conclusion to viewers. They had gone through so much and finally had some time to relax alone, but in the end they just gave a friendly hug and went their separate ways. Their relationship with each other in the end was extremely unrealistic considering what they had gone through. The novel made sure the two kissed and made plans to meet each other again in a few months, which was a much more realistic and satisfactory result of their relationship.

To conclude, the film adaption of The Da Vinci Code ultimately failed to capture the tense and suspense building traits that the novel had, and its opinions became more toned down to try and lessen the controversy the novel was already abundant with.