Professor Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) is asked by Camerlengo Patrick McKenna (Ewan McGregor) if he believes in God. He wants to see how he will answer before he allows him to search the archives for clues which may prevent a secret order from killing four innocent cardinals of the church. Langdon replies that his mind can’t comprehend God and his heart doesn’t know. “I don’t have the gift of faith” he says. McKenna appreciates his honesty and allows him access. Interesting enough, and although he scoffs at the idea, Langdon does seem to become a tool of God as he works on figuring out what plans the Illuminati have in mind and what four churches they will use to execute four priests, one each hour for four consecutive hours. He hopes to save all four and he races from church to church, trying to nail the would-be assailants. Unfortunately, their violent goal is even larger, which is to set off a bomb near the Vatican.
There are several discussions in the film regarding the Catholic faith, and how that the secret order believes the priests are worthy of death, because they have sometimes gotten their eyes more on power than the people and the doctrine of the church. There is a lot of violence in the film too. The Vatican has issued a statement that they see this film as harmless and simply a story. It is unfortunate, however, that one priest is portrayed as believing that violence will strengthen the church and its need to unite. I did appreciate the comment made by a priest in the film that “all men are flawed” and he acknowledged this included priests.
Due to the graphic violence, including the death of several priests and police officers, and strong language, we are unable to award our Dove “Family-Approved” Seal to this film.