A YEAR ago it was difficult to escape the controversies surrounding The Da Vinci Code, the book that took the world by storm.

Even if you hadn't read it, you would have been aware of the debate that Brown's tale suggesting a religious cover-up about a bloodline descended from Jesus and Mary Magdalene whipped up.

Twelve months on and the ruminations and remonstrations have bubbled to the surface once again, given fresh life by the film starring Tom Hanks, which was premiered at Cannes.

The book, which has sold more than 40 million copies, is a murder mystery featuring two code-breakers trying to discover the truth behind the Holy Grail just a "good story" that shouldn't be taken too seriously, according to Tom Hanks, star of the film.

Richard Berger, film lecturer at Bournemouth University, said movies and religious controversy are far from strangers.

He remembers pickets in Bournemouth when The Last Temptation of Christ was released in 1988. Amost a decade earlier, Life of Brian was banned by 11 councils.

"The tale in the Da Vinci Code is a very old one. It's a new telling of an old story," said Richard.

"Usually conspiracy theories are not big things that really take hold of the public imagination, but this one has.

"Brown has turned one of those little theories that have often been written in very scholarly ways with lots of detail and historical information into an airport book, an easy-to-read holiday book."

The Rev Fraser Smith of the Methodist Church in Poole High Street will be going to see the film. He has read the book, studied it and held forums on the issues it raises.

It twists facts, he argued, but many people who would never normally talk about theology are reading the book and so it presents an opportunity for discussion.

"It's a real page-turner, an exciting story.

"It's a book that talks about God, but it is a book of fiction. It is the most commonly read book in the English language right now and so is a way of establishing a dialogue with people who were not thinking or talking about this subject."

But a cardinal has suggested that Christians take legal action against the film and book.

Cardinal Francis Arinze, a Nigerian considered a candidate for Pope last year, said in a documentary: "Christians must not just sit back and say it is enough for us to forgive and to forget.

"Sometimes it is our duty to do something practical. So it is not I who will tell all Christians what to do but some know legal means which can be taken in order to get the other person to respect the rights of others."

His comments followed a call for a boycott from another cardinal.

But what is the view of the general public?

Shop assistant Amanda Brett, 36, of Bournemouth, said: "I really enjoyed the book and found it interesting. I will probably go to see the film, but I'm not expecting it to be any better than the book the films are never as good as the books.

"I think people take it far too seriously though it hasn't changed how I feel or look at life in general."

Student Jenny Aldridge, 18, of Parkstone, said: "I have not read the book and am not planning on seeing the film. The story has not interested me because it has been too hyped up."

Another woman, visiting family here from Spain, added: "I have not read it. I live in Spain and every time I come over to visit family I always hear something about this book.

"To be honest, it's not my kind of book and the story dos not appeal to me. This has nothing to do with religion. I just didn't like the sound of how it was written."

Her friend Jean said: "I thought it was a fantastic read, a great thriller. I don't necessarily believe everything that was written, but I think there is more to history than what we have been informed of."

And another woman in the town centre told the Echo: "If what Dan Brown claims is true, why has it taken so long to come out?

"What worries me is that there are many vulnerable people out there who will believe what they have read and in my opinion it is all of a load of tripe."