AS in other centres, the movie of Dan Brown's controversial novel The Da Vinci Code is attracting Wanganui's public, despite an on going protest outside Embassy 3 by the Society of Pius X.
"Audience numbers have been excellent," Embassy 3 manager Gary Vinnell said yesterday.
"The cinema it is playing in seats 240. Tuesday night was sold out and "Friday and Saturday also are attracting very good houses. At this stage it looks like we will screen the film for another five weeks."
As to the protest mounted by the Society of Pius X, Mr Vinnell said everyone had the right to voice their opinions. "The protest is great, and any publicity is good publicity. There has been no adverse effects.
"Patrons are taking it in a humorous manner."
Society of Pius X's Father Andrew Cranshaw told the Chronicle the protests would continue for as long as The Da Vinci Code was screened in Wanganui.
Protesting at night from before 8pm to 9pm enabled the protesters to hand out pamphlets to people coming out of the 5.30pm sessions and to those attending the 8.30pm session.
The film's alternative history of Christianity, Fr Cranshaw said, was a lie and an attack on the Catholic Church, Jesus Christ and Holy Scripture and offended God.
"The protest is to make public reparation for the lies told in the film, and while we may not continue to do so every night we will be there on Fridays, Saturdays and Tuesdays.
Protesters, on average, numbered 120, about 30 percent of whom were children, and on the whole were being treated well by the public, he said.
"Most people just walk past us without a word, but some accept our pamphlets.
"From some people driving past we get toots of support and from others verbal abuse."
The central premise of The Da Vinci Code is that Jesus married Mary Magdalene, they had a child, and that a clandestine society, Opus Dei, has for centuries protected the identity of their descendants.
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