Key Takeaways:
– Tom Hanks led the movie adaptation of Dan Brown's novel Angels and Demons despite controversy from the Church.
– The Vatican imposed a ban on all things related to Dan Brown.
– Filmmakers took covert footage of the Vatican to bypass a ban on filming there.
The Unexpected Drama Behind Angels and Demons
While Tom Hanks is known to set the screen on fire with his performances, the adaptation of the popular novel ‘Angels and Demons' by Dan Brown stirred up a real-life controversy, involving none other than the Vatican City.
The Role of The Church
In a ripples effect from the general outrage of the Church over the dramatic redefinition of the Holy Grail in the 2006 film ‘The Da Vinci Code', the Vatican imposed a complete ban on Dan Brown's work. This outright refusal was a significant hurdle for the crew of ‘Angels and Demons'. The filming of this much-anticipated film was supposed to take place in the Vatican's most iconic locations. But the Vatican barred access to its unique architecture and rich history, which were meant to be featured heavily in the film. The Holy See drew a line, and Hollywood was left challenged.
The Art of Covert Filmmaking in ‘Angels and Demons'
The movie industry is often known to be resourceful and creative. Faced with the Vatican's non-negotiable ban, the Hollywood crew bent the rules to serve the ends. The producers found a unique solution by sending disguised cameramen into the Vatican. These quasi-tourists were on a mission to capture the richness and authenticity of the Vatican City, thus bypassing the imposed filming ban.
The crew was able to gather an impressive collection of 250,000 photos and videos. This mountain of visual data was sifted through by the crew to deliver a realistic portrayal of the forbidden location. It was a monumental task, but the film's dedicated team achieved it, demonstrating the fierce determination Hollywood projects often demand.
A Scandal-Plagued Success Story
Despite running into controversy and resistance, ‘Angels and Demons' turned out to be a commercial success. The film, which was made on a budget of $150 million, raked in $490.8 million worldwide. Critics had mixed feelings about the film, earning it a rating of 37% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Now available to stream on Hulu, ‘Angels and Demons' remains a controversial yet impactful addition to film history. Tom Hanks later shared his bewilderment over the criticism of the movie, noting that the film was merely a suspenseful tale and not intended to insult the Church.
Conclusion
In the end, ‘Angels and Demons' conquered a myriad of challenges that included sacred religious sentiments and filming prohibitions to emerge a commercial success. It serves as an undeniable testament to Hollywood's resilience in storytelling, as well as the intriguing allure of Dan Brown's tales, brought to life by actors like Tom Hanks.
