Will Catholics Flock to See Da Vinci Code?

GALLUP NEWS SERVICE

PRINCETON, NJ -- Despite condemnation, and in some cases, calls for a boycott of the movie from religious leaders, the Da Vinci Code seems poised to become a box office blockbuster, earning high viewer interest from Americans in a recent USA Today/Gallup poll. More than one in four U.S. adults -- 28% -- say they will definitely see the Ron Howard adaptation of the novel of the same name by Dan Brown once it opens in theaters this Friday. Catholics show far greater interest in seeing the movie than do Protestants, although some of this could be due to the fact that Catholics are more frequent moviegoers, generally.

According to the May 5-7 survey, 56% of Americans say they will either "definitely see" or "might consider seeing" the Da Vinci Code on the big screen. Forty-three percent say they will "definitely not see" it -- although some in this group may eventually watch it on home video.

Among regular moviegoers -- those who attended at least one movie in the past 12 months -- 38% definitely plan to see the Da Vinci Code, 33% might consider it, and 31% won't see it. Among frequent moviegoers -- those attending four or more movies -- 45% will definitely see the movie, 31% might see it, while 23% won't see it.

Catholics Attracted to the Movie, if Not the Conspiracy

The fictional plot centers on a Catholic conspiracy to cover up historical evidence that Christ was not divine, that he did not die on the cross, and that his bloodline continues with children he fathered with Mary Magdalene. The fact that one movie trailer ends with the words "Seek the Truth" may explain why many religious leaders fear that watching the movie may only serve to confuse Christians about the fundamental tenets of their beliefs. One Vatican official recently called for a boycott, saying the film is full of "offenses, slander, historical and theological errors concerning Jesus, the gospel and the church."

Nevertheless -- or perhaps because of the fact that the controversy involves their own church -- three in four Catholics indicate an interest in going to see the Da Vinci Code, including 34% who say they definitely plan to see it and 40% who say they might consider seeing it. This is substantially higher than the 48% of Protestants who are either planning on or thinking about seeing it.

Indeed, a majority Americans (51%) believe the appeal of a conspiracy is a major reason behind people's interest in books and movies that raise doubts about Jesus and the Bible -- a view expressed about equally by Protestants and Catholics. Only 38% say that sheer entertainment explains the attention they receive.

Another important reason why Catholics may be more likely to plan on seeing the movie, compared with Protestants, is that Catholics are more frequent moviegoers, generally. When asked how many movies they attended in the past year, a total of 73% of Catholics indicated seeing one or more movies, compared with 64% of Protestants. Catholics are especially likely to be frequent moviegoers, attending four or more movies (43% of Catholics, versus 33% of Protestants).

Competition for Top Movie

The Da Vinci Code has many things going for it at the box office, not the least of which is very likely the religious hornet's nest it has stirred up. Additionally, it builds on a book that some predict will become the best-selling novel of all time, and stars movie favorite Tom Hanks -- one of the most popular and celebrated actors working today.

Still, the Da Vinci Code barely edges out Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, starring Johnny Depp, for intended viewership in the recent poll. About one-quarter of Americans plan on going to each of these movies, but a total of 56% show at least some interest in the Da Vinci Code, compared with 51% for Pirates.

The two movies are quite different -- one is an adult thriller based on a best-selling novel and the other, an adventure story based on a Disney theme park ride. Yet, the demographics of their potential viewers are quite similar. Men and women are about equally likely to plan on watching, as are younger adults -- the latter reflecting the broader pattern of young adults frequenting movies more often than older adults.

Gallup finds Catholics more likely than Protestants to plan on attending both movies, although this pattern is slightly more pronounced with the Da Vinci Code. A similar difference is seen according to religiosity, as those who attend church weekly are less likely to say they definitely plan on attending either movie than are those who attend nearly weekly or less often.

Da Vinci Code Swamps the Also-Rans

Both of these movies outpace the other leading contenders for this summer's movie audiences, including the latest Tom Cruise thriller, Mission Impossible III, with 18% saying they definitely plan to go see it. Several other movies -- Over the Hedge, Superman Returns, Miami Vice, and Snakes on a Plane -- fall well behind the top three, with no more than 9% of Americans saying they will definitely attend any of these.

Survey Methods

These results are based on telephone interviews with a randomly selected national sample of 1,013 adults, aged 18 and older, conducted May 5-7, 2006. For results based on this sample, one can say with 95% confidence that the maximum error attributable to sampling and other random effects is ±3 percentage points. In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls.

18. Now thinking about some of the movies coming out in theaters this year, for each of the following, please say whether it is a movie you definitely plan to see in the theater, whether it is something you might consider seeing, or if it is something you will definitely not see. How about - [RANDOM ORDER]?

BASED ON 521 NATIONAL ADULTS IN FORM B

19. Have you, personally, ever seen a movie that had a profound effect, either positive or negative, on your religious beliefs or practices, or not?

20. How did the movie affect your religious beliefs? Did it -- [ROTATED: strengthen your religious beliefs, (or did it) cause you to question your religious beliefs]?

BASED ON 278 ADULTS WHO HAVE SEEN A MOVIE THAT AFFECTED THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS

COMBINED RESPONSES (Q.19-20)

21. As you may know, books and movies that raise doubts about Jesus and the Bible such as the Da Vinci Code are getting a lot of attention from the public. For each of the following, please say whether you think it is a major reason why these books and movies are getting so much attention, a minor reason, or not a reason at all. How about -- [ITEMS ROTATED]?

Many people enjoy a conspiracy

People see them as entertainment, not as serious commentary on religion

22. Which of the following comes closer to your view about books or movies that raise doubts about Jesus Christ or the Bible -- [ROTATED: they are a reflection of the human nature of some people to be skeptical about religion, (or) they are the work of the Devil trying to destroy people's religious beliefs, whether the authors are aware of it or not]?