User reviews

In "Bloodline," documentarian Bruce Burgess explores the theory, made popular by Don Brown's recent bestseller "The Da Vinci Code," that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were lovers, that they fled to what is now modern-day France, and that French royalty can trace its lineage back to them and their children. The theory also posits that this "truth" has been carefully guarded by a shadowy organization called The Priory of Sion, and that the Catholic Church will literally stop at nothing to keep the story from getting out. Some contend that The Priory has been letting the details slip out little by little over the course of the centuries – mainly through art works with "coded messages" embedded in them - in a concerted effort to prepare the way for an illumination of the truth which, when finally revealed, will rock the very foundations of Christendom and thereby change the world.

Burgess spends much of the film interviewing people supposedly connected with or at least knowledgeable about the secret, individuals he meets in clandestine, off-the-beaten-path settings who speak in hushed tones about their theories and discoveries, and who claim to live in fear of their lives for even deigning to speak on the subject. The bulk of the second half of the film is taken up exploring what Burgess and amateur archaeologist Ben Hammott claim may be the tomb of Mary Magdalene, located in an isolated area in the south of France.

In all honesty, who knows what to make of this film or the conspiracy theory itself? Half the time the open-minded viewer feels as if he's watching something at least partway plausible – and the other half believing he's probably being made the dupe in an elaborate and colossal hoax. In fact, there are many sites dedicated to debunking the whole theory, including the entry on The Priory of Sion found on Wikipedia.

As a nonbeliever myself, I have to say that nothing put forth by this film strikes me as being any less plausible or historical than what is contained in the gospels themselves – which is to say that I find them both HIGHLY implausible and a-historical. I have no doubt that many people throughout the last two millennia have BELIEVED what Hammott and his minions are proposing, but that doesn't mean that any of it ever actually happened in real life.

Bloodline" is one of those movies that comes replete with a website where you can look up further information on the topic if so inclined. I suggest you look up quite a few others as well.

From a purely filmatic point of view, the journalistic objectivity might be a bit skewed, but it is entertaining nonetheless - especially if you enjoyed The Da Vinci Code. Which reveals a lot...

Simply put, devout Christians and Catholics (and maybe even also the moderates) will hate this movie because it goes against their faith, and will probably therefore never ever change their closed-minds about it. End of debate.

Anyone else who has an open mind and sees the definite possibility that Jesus just was an (albeit, outstanding) man (as in non-supernatural with a human male nature) also sees the historical possibility of the marriage between Mary Magdalene and Jesus. And that's not even taking in the account of numerous historical documents that are pro the marriage of Christ (Gospel of Thomas, Judas and Mary Magdalene - the Gnostic Gospels etc.) that are all historically equal and equally legitimate to the Roman-favored texts that ended up in the new testament, that decline that version of history. Historical sociology even tells us that it would be very ill-seen-upon for a Jewish man not to be married by the time of his twenties, making it even more likely Jesus became married.

The Roman Church had to change this story because in their time of religious reformation towards Christianity, the other faiths had demi-gods that could otherwise compete with the new official faith. So besides of all kinds of symbolism being mixed into the practice of worship (symbolic eating of the flesh and blood, the sun-symbols of the halo, the astrological cross etc.) to ensure an easy societal-transformation, they also rewrote the gospels, making Jesus more God-like and Mary Magdalene a mere whore.

So there - it's a repetition of the tired debate "faith vs. logic" and as always the illogical religious people are really getting their panties in a twist over it.

But honestly, I think most thinking people don't even care at all - and why should they? That, on the other hand, would be worth discussing.

As I see it the ultimate question is whether you believe the big-bang (an unavoidable fact of science) was created by some sort of intelligence or simply happened on account of something that may be explained some day. All the religious texts are just lazy answers to big questions that have since been answered logically - and I believe this will also become the case with the big bang. Which way the coin will turn up remains the only valid question where the use of faith is acceptable.

But religion as a concept is so middle-ages. It's time to get over it.

There's not much to this movie. The director/narrator/prime interviewer rambles around southwestern France with an Englishman, looking for evidence of the Priory of Sion and the bodies of Jesus, and/or Mary Magdalene, and they do some amateur "archeology" that does nothing but disrupt and disturb the "sites" they find.

With interviews featuring such people as a guy who looks like they found him at a bus stop (my hair looks like a bird's nest, your argument is invalid), another who looks like a failed stage magician (complete with bad "dramatic" lighting, barely contained smirking/laughter, and several liar's tells), and locations that look like miniature sets made of clay, Kleenex, and painted styrofoam, its hard to take this film seriously. Its good for a few laughs, but little else. A trip to the film's website for the "latest news" gets you very little but the cast's activities for the last 3 years, and a pitch to spend a couple thousand dollars for a tour of the region.

In the first place I was dragged down to the movies by my friends to see what they described as 'a really cool movie' and I was not at all looking forward to seeing it, thinking it would be just as dull as The Da Vinci Code. When I started watching it though I changed my mind. I thought it was suspenseful, interesting, intriguing with great pictures of the tomb. I think it's great that an 'amateur' like Ben Hammott could find something like that. He's just an ordinary guy who became interested in this mystery in this little village in France and decided to investigate.

Me and my friends agree that it was an enjoyable and interesting film and I've recommended it to everyone I know. Well done guys for making such a good film, can't wait to see who's in the tomb and what all the artifacts are and I will keep checking the Bloodline website and Ben Hammott's one for updates - they're both really cool btw!

Considering the huge budget that The Da Vinci Code had and the small budget that Bloodline had these guys have done an awesome job and should be proud of themselves for doing such a great film!

Seems the movie is a fraud, staged on a set in an English warehouse.

See:

1) Text of email confession at grailseekers.blogspot.com, search for March 2012 Hoax

2) Podcast of confession at http://latalkradio.com/Rene.php, March 21, 2012.

I'm disappointed, and I now consider Ben Hammott to be beneath the richest con artist or the deadliest drug lord. Preying on one's money or addictions is unconscionable; preying on one's most basic, fundamental beliefs - the universal/cosmic order, correct or not, upon which every aspect of the lives of millions is built - is inhuman.

Even if the questions/possibilities raised by the hoax are interesting as hell. No pun intended.

In terms of pure, fictional, entertainment value? This wasn't the wost film i've ever seen, but PLEASE do not look at the events in this film as fact! I honestly don't know why they even bothered putting this thing together. I just happen to be a huge believer in this particular theory, but I think all the makers of this film have done, is take away any legitimacy from the claim.

Seriously...who the HELL handles archaeological evidence in that manner? Either they are really stupid, or they just don't care if people realise its fake...

I really don't know what else to say....shameful!

For me, the most important message of this film is that we are moving forward as a species. We are becoming willing in greater numbers to question what has been fed to us down through the ages. Regardless of whether a "bloodline" really exists -- or if Jesus was, in fact, married -- didn't matter as much to me as the sense of hope I felt. The film left me with a very positive feeling for our collective future because the theater was PACKED with enthusiastic people, and important questions were being asked. The film is really very exciting and moving. Who doesn't LOVE a good treasure hunt? Fascinating and original. I recommend it highly.

One man's journey into the world of the so-called "Bloodline" conspiracy, at the heart of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code...

This documentary examines a great conspiracy, and uncovers some interesting food for thought -- particularly about the three men killed within 24 hours of each other. There seems to be an interesting history behind the Priory of Sion, assuming such an organization even exists.

I notice that others have compared this to the "Blair Witch Project", and that is not unfair. Much of it involves a shaky camera following one guy around -- a guy who clearly might be a bit too open to fringe ideas.

Sadly, whatever truth is uncovered here, it is greatly undermined by the revelation that "the tomb man" and his discoveries are a hoax (and he has admitted as much). So, you know, it is even harder to sort fact from fiction when you have to discount almost half of what you see... perhaps a re-editing?

I was lucky enough to see Bloodline before it hits theaters next month.

The documentary follows the director around France who is piecing together clues from the past to figure out if Jesus and Mary Magdalene had a child. He interviews members of the secret Priory of Sion and those who have also been searching for the truth about this long held mystery. As the film goes on, the mystery unfolds.

Anyone who is interested in the Priory of Sion, Mary Magdalene, the Catholic church, or Christianity should see this film. It's beautifully shot, suspenseful, and an overall well crafted documentary. You will sit on the edge of your seat during the entire film, begging for more.

A super film which I recommend you go and see.

When I first thought about going to see this film I checked the web for reviews and because of some of them were bad I nearly didn't go to see it but I am very glad I did. I don't know if these people writing the bad reviews are Christians or have even seen it, I know some of the worst comments are on Christian websites , and I have nothing against Christians or any other religion, and maybe they feel threatened by the subject matter of the film. I know the Vatican has already tried to dismiss the film as nonsense so this may have had an influence on some reviewers. Also there has been talk that some of the evidence is slightly shaky by some Renne-le-Château researchers, but then these researchers have their own research, book writing career, etc. to protect so their opinions are very bias against the film. Ignore everything you read about this film, good or bad, and just go and see it for yourself with an open mind. I read another comment in a review here about the cinema audience liking the film and I must agree, the same was with the people in the screening I saw. When the film was over 4 people, who had not seen the film, entered the cinema and started quoting scriptures from the bible. Needless to say they were booed constantly until they left. This is evidence that the Christian church are worried by this film and the questions it raises. I think all Christians should go and see Bloodline so they too can join in the debate that will surly follow over the coming months. It is a great film on more than one level and if the Vatican is worried by the points raised in the film then it must have been built on very shaky ground indeed. Perhaps it is time they come clean about some of the secrets they keep hidden away on the true story of their church. The present Pope only inherited the lies and I think it would make the church stronger if they were more open and honest about their history.

Ignore all the controversy about this film and the comments from those who have not even seen the film yet, go and view it for yourself you will not regret it. It is a cool film and the best cinema documentary I have seen. Riveting, Intriguing and informative. I see that the Vatican had a spokesman appear on TV to attack the film and many Catholic web sites responded in kind, so there must be something revealed in the film they are afraid of, although I believe if Christians just went and saw the film it may help them to raise questions that the Vatican needs to answer. The film will in no way bring the Vatican crashing down, far from it, it may even help them if they would just put their hands up and say Yes in the past we have made mistakes and hidden some truths but let us wipe the slate clean by revealing what we know to make the church stronger and more in line to the message Jesus wanted us to follow.

I was taken to the premiere of this film in NY by my boyfriend who is interested in this sort of thing, yawn. I have sat through many of his documentary films on TV so I wasn't looking forward to sitting through another at the cinema but as he had already brought the tickets I went with none of the enthusiasm he felt. But this all changed as soon as we entered the packed cinema, the atmosphere was electrifying and listening to all the others talking excitedly about the film, it wasn't long before I too became excited to see it.

As soon as the film started I was drawn into the story, wanting, no hungering, to know more, hanging on every word that was said, and every image shown. I don't want to give anything away about the story here but the image at the end stayed with me long after the film had finished. When the film ended a wave of applause spread across the cinema by everyone in the room and I found myself joining in.

There followed a Q&A session next with the Director and Producer of the film, which was engrossing and their answers to the many questions put to them by the audience was very interesting.

I am sure this film will receive mixed reviews due to its controversial nature, but I can tell you everyone I have spoken to who has seen the film, thoroughly enjoyed it and I am sure you too will not be disappointed.

I have never felt this way about a film before, the closest if I had to make a choice would be Dirty Dancing, but Guys, please don't let that put you off, Bloodline is nothing like Dirty Dancing. Bloodline is one of those films that you will be thinking about long after the final credits and I cannot recommend this film enough.

I am certain the issues it explores and the evidence revealed, will be debated for many years to come, so don't be left out, go and see it while you can.

This film extends the investigation over the bloodline between Jesus and Mary, but provides some additional information that is quite profound. I'm not a big fan of documentaries, but since I was raised Catholic, I found this film to be quite fascinating, and full of ramifications, should the investigation prove to be true.

I have seen a few of Michael Moore's movies, and this one is similar to his genre of film-making. I found the line of reasoning plausible and quite illuminating. Given all the trouble that the Catholic church has endured in recent years, this is the icing on the cake.

I'm familiar with the music of Miriam Cutler, as I knew her through some fellow musicians when I was in college, when she wrote and participated in a very colorful jazz band. I still have one of her early recordings, and it's a real gem. It's great to see her outstanding work applied to such an endeavor.

I watched the movie DaVinci Code. It was long and boring. However this documentary DaVinci code, whether you believe it or not, has a strange conspiracy while making the movie and makes it all the more intriguing watch. Coverups, strange death of Lord Lichfield before getting interview for this movie, infiltration of the Roman Catholic Church into CIA, and Masonic Lodges, strange man who gave notes to a Priori Scion to shut up (which he did), the going to the location where the "original secret parchment" relating to the Bloodline of Jesus, makes an intriguing Spy vs. Spy type of movie. Mind you, I am not a Christian, have little interests in DaVinci Code or even another DaVinci code movie, got me really up and running as is this documentary is done with the intrigues of a real movie. What makes it so interesting is it's suppose to be a documentary with conspiracy background makes it all too intriguing. A must see movie, for both the skeptics and believers alike.