Product Details

• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: A&E Home Video
• Run Time: 364 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000PQYKC8
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #105,912 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Author Dan Brown's phenomenal best-seller The Da Vinci Code has captured the mind and the imagination of the world--but what are the facts behind the fiction? Is it possible that Jesus really did have a family? What do we really know about Mary Magdalene? Who were the mysterious Knights Templar, and what evidence exists about that most elusive of religious relics--the Holy Grail?

This remarkable DVD set explores the true stories behind these mysteries as only THE HISTORY CHANNEL® can--using unparalleled research and expert commentary. As captivating as the book itself and featuring six complete, full-length programs, this DVD set is a masterful blend of history, speculation and mystery.

The shows included in this collection are:

· Beyond the Da Vinci Code--Explore myths and misconceptions behind the blockbuster bestseller.
· The Templar Code--Both parts of the eye-opening look at the fabled guardians of the Holy Grail.
· Digging for the Truth: Da Vinci Code Bloodlines--DNA evidence and archeological sleuthing share the spotlight as we look for the rumored descendants of Christ.
· Decoding the Past: Opus Dei Unveiled--Learn the truth behind this secretive sect.
· BIOGRAPHY®: Mary Magdalene--Pages that never made it into the scriptures shed new light on this captivating and controversial figure.
· In Search of History: The Holy Grail--Go on the trail of the most famous cup on earth.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Whole Story? ~ Magdalene, Templars, Da Vinci, Opus Dei & Indiana Bernstein, November 24, 2007

By 

Brian E. Erland "Rainbow Sphinx" (Brea, CA - USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Da Vinci Code: The Total Story - Special Edition (The History Channel) (DVD)

Introduction: The History Channel has been kind enough to combine six programs into one 2-disc set containing:

-Beyond the Da Vinci Code
-The Templar Code
-Da Vinci Bloodlines
-Opus Dei Secrets Revealed
-Mary Magdalene: The Hidden Apostle
-The Holy Grail

Critique: If you're fascinated by the history, myth and legend surrounding the enigmatic and long maligned Mary Magdalene, her relationship with Jesus and all the related subject matter attached to her mythos (i.e. the Holy Grail, sacred bloodlines and secret societies), prepare yourself for hours of viewing pleasure. The production values are superior and the presention enjoyable. Most of the material is basic faire, but it is a good comprehensive study for the novice explorer.

The program `The Holy Grail' was in my estimation the most informative covering a massive amount of material on King Authur and the Knights of the Round Table. The program dealing with the possibility of a sacred bloodline was also quite entertaining and a nice change of pace, being presented as an Indiana Jones adventure. Josh Bernstein (a.k.a. Indiana Jones) hosted this travelogue-like quest crisscrossing Europe and the Holy Land in search of evidence to prove the existence of Middle Eastern DNA in the unearthed remains of European royalty.

The feature on Mary Magdalene (my primary interest) is a straight forward, conservative approach to the subject without all the highly speculative material one has come to expect. It does go as far as debunking the age old belief that Mary was a prostitute and places her in the esteemed position of leader, evangelist, mystic and prophet. There is also a brief mention of the belief that Mary and Jesus may have had a sexual relationship but that possibility is immediately debunked and dismissed.

As for negatives, because the various subjects matters all overlap the presentations tend to move in a cyclic manner, moving in a non linear manner constanting regressing and repeating information in an attempt to tie all the various storylines together. Unfortuanately they also replay the same film footage when doing so. After a while this storytelling method becomes too repetitious and redundant to the viewer.

My Rating: Good resource material and a lot of it too! For sheer volume alone, -5 Stars-.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great DVD but repeatative, December 12, 2010

By 

Aveek - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Da Vinci Code: The Total Story - Special Edition (The History Channel) (DVD)

There are lots of repeatations in this DVD. Looks like when the DVD was made the hostiry channel simply put all the episodes together. They should have cut away the overlap part which makes the DVD slightly boring.