The Da Vincci Code - Book Review

Differences between the movie and the book

1. The hidden message on the Mona Lisa Painting

In the book, when Sophie's grandfather died after getting killed by Silas, he left a hidden message as a clue to the next hidden message. In the book, Sophie found the hidden message written at the bottom right of the painting of Mona Lisa. Then, she found the writing scrawled over Mona Lisa's face. However, in the movie, there was no message at the bottom right of the painting, it was just the writings on Mona Lisa's face of the painting.

2. Surveillance equipment in the barn and the miniature knight in Saunierre's office

In the book, when the police reached Sir Teabing's manor, they went through all his rooms and found surveillance equipment in the barn. These equipments are used to receive information about the Grand Master of the Brotherhood. In the movie, they also did not mention about the miniature knight on Saunierre's table in his office which is actually a bug to achieve any important information on the brotherhood.

3. The second cryptex

In the book, there were two cryptex. After they have managed to open the first cryptex, they were left with another cryptex. This made it harder for Langdon and Sophie to figure out the code. However in the movie, there was no second cryptex. The solution of the cryptex and the mirrored writing found behind the rose logo on the box is the same as the second one in the book.This made the cryptex solving in the movie simpler and quicker.

4. Family relation

In the book, Jacques Sauniere is Sophie's grandfather, and she is reunited with her grandmother, who lives behind the Rosslyn Chapel, and her brother, at the end, where it is revealed that her grandmother and grandfather separated with great difficulty for the mere purpose of changing the family names and protecting the grandchildren in separate families. In the movie, Langdon tells Sophie that he believes that Jacques Sauniere is not her real grandfather. The docent is never announced as Sophie's brother. Instead, a legion of protectors of the holy grail meet Sophie with her grandmother, the rest is unexplained.

5. The ending

In the book, during the ending, Robert and Sophie kissed after she met her family. In the movie, Sophie cures Robert's phobia and there are other touching moments between them, implying a relationship to continue but not romance.