Attempting to cash in on a cultural phenomenon in the same way that very bad, low budget films are released after one of the members of the cast becomes a star, The Disinformation Company, aptly named in this instance, has released this Exploring The Da Vinci Code DVD with the more accurate subtitle, Henry Lincoln’s Guide to Rennes-Le- Château. The video was shot in 1999, four years before the release of Dan Brown’s book, which explains why there’s no mention of the international bestseller in the actual film.
A class-action lawsuit for fraud is avoided because there is a connection between Henry Lincoln and The Da Vinci Code. Lincoln is the author of books about mysteries and conspiracies that surround Rennes-le-Château and its most famous inhabitant, Francois-Bérenger Saunière. Most notably he is a co-author of Holy Blood, Holy Grail, which was a major influence on Dan Brown. The book states that there is evidence of Jesus marrying Mary Magdalene, the two having children, and that the bloodline continues and is protected by the Priory of Scion.
Lincoln’s co-authors filed suit against Brown for plagiarism, which they lost because, according to High Court Judge Peter Smith, "their argument was vague and shifted course during the trial and was always based on a weak foundation." In the documentary The Man behind the Da Vinci Code, Lincoln said he wasn’t a party to the suit because the ideas weren’t original to the authors.
Aside from his books and minor claim to fame as a co-writer on three Doctor Who episodes from Patrick Troughton’s reign as the second Doctor, Lincoln has been a tour guide to the village of Rennes-Le-Château and the surrounding area. Being 69 at the time of the shoot, Lincoln had a limited number of tours left in him. The creation of this DVD allows him to reach a much wider audience and to keep the stories alive. The locations are presented in great detail and Lincoln’s presentation reminded me of a fun tourist attraction like the ghost tours of Savannah, Georgia.
Article comments
1 - -E
Funny how things are released in an attempt to cash in on something else's success and popularity. Great review though, very informative.
2 - hollee ross
I think that Henry Lincoln is brillant. I love his work, he has inspired me to search deeper for the truth. Infact I may have some information to help solve this mystery. if any one has any way of emailing Mr. Lincoln, please let me know, I am only interested in sharing with him my information, I think it could be helpful to his quest. I feel the world should know that there is more out there then what the bible tells us, and Mr. Lincoln is just the man to uncover such a mystery.
Please let me know if you have any information on how I can reach him
Thank you, Hollee
3 - hollee ross
And to comment #1, it was actually Mr. Brown whom cashed in on someone else's success. Does the book "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" sound familair, it was written in 1982, that was years before Dan Browns Da Vincci Code came out, Henry Lincolns theory was always there, so perhaps it is Dan Brown who has cashed in on someone elses brilliance & work...
Please don't include your email Hollee. Thanks. Comments Editor]
4 - -E
Congrats, this article was picked for one of this week's Ed Picks. Keep up the good work.
5 - El Bicho
thanks for the nod, -E. I'll try.
6 - jeremy edge
Very thought provoking as Lincoln states it does not matter if his or other peoples hypothesis are true,what matters is that there could have been people in the past who believed them.As to weather the gnostic stories of Christ are true or not it is possible that even if untrue a certain secret society could have took these theories on board and created these beliefs down the centuries each generation adding to what may or may not be a myth.