His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ncompassmp.jpg

Surprised there isnt a thread already on this. Unless there is and i have totally missed it. Anyway, if there is, THIS ONE IS BETTER.

So, Phillip Pullmans phenomenal Dark Materials Trilogy is finally been given the movie magic it so rightly deserves. And from what can be seen so far, it looks incredible.

The story starts with Northern Lights (Or The Golden Compass as it has been called in the US and the movie), the first book which introduces us to Lyra Balacqua, a girl who lives in a parrallel world to our own where all humans are accompanied by their souls who are in the form of an animal. This first installement focus's around Lyra's quest to follow her parents and venture north to rescue her father Lord Asriel.

In the film we have Nicole Kidman playing Mrs Coulter, a superb villian with more layers or twisted evil goodness than a giant onion. We also have Daniel Craig as Lord Asriel and an awesome supporting cast including Eva Green as the elegant witch queen Sefarina Pekalar. Lets just hope that Dakota Blue Richards will do a decent job in her first movie role as Lyra, judging by the guffins below, i think she will.

The series of books are an awesome read, full of philosophy, mythology, theology and some brilliant writing by Pullman. If you havnt read any of them, read them now so you can get the best out of the film when it arrives in cinemas this December. Pullman does such a great job of creating these awesome characters, that you really become invested in them, so hopefully this will transfer well to the film. Its an incredible story full of evil witches, cliff ghasts, ghosts, guillitines, talking polar bears, child snatchers, hot air balloons and enough excitement to bring tears to your eyes.

Chris Weitz is in the directing chair, but as his previous work amounts to About A Boy (which was great) we will have to see. However, check out the featurette linked below for some amazing footage of how it's going to look. If you love the books, you will love that link.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e6/Lyra.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi.../cd/Asriel.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...Mrscoulter.jpg

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0385752/GC_03640.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58X4o_41Frc

Anyone else as excited as i am? (I know Sammy is!!)

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

I'm somewhat interested in this. As I'm sure is quite predictable, I don't much care for the "atheistic Narnia" thing that it's been labelled with (fairly or unfairly). That said, my girlfriend loves the books, and is quite interested in how the films turn out. Thanks for the pictures, blib; I'll make sure she sees them. :)

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

I am pretty psyched. Two of my friends are massive fans of the books. I guess I need to go ahead and read these now....

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

Seriously guys, i couldnt recommend the books enough. (Don't tell JK, but i actually prefer them to Potter!)

And any references to an Atheists Narnia are toally way off the mark. I mean sure, Pullman blatantly hates the Chruch and anything to do with God, but by GUM does he do a good job of shaming the G man in these books. The plot is basically centred around a war with God. Awesome brain melting reading.

I have a feeling this film will be great...

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

Eh. Not to be contentious, and obviously you speak from a position of greater knowledge here having read the books and all, but if the author hates the Church, and God, and has written a series of fantasy children's books which shame and declare war on God, why would the "Atheist's Narnia" label be way off the mark?

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

I was thinking more in terms of the story when i read your post. I mean on an incredibly basic level, sure it can be labelled like that. But having read both, the stories, style of writing and incredibly complex plot of His Dark Materials couldnt be more different. And i was just basically putting you off that comment so you would pick them up and read them :D

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

I'm completely stoked. :D
I read the books last Fall and really enjoyed them.
There's definitely an agnostic bent to Pullman's own philosophy that reads loud and clear in the fiction, but the story is about so much more than that. I really hope it doesn't get derailed on those grounds. The philosophy of the books is very positive, I felt, about creativity and ability and ingenuity and such.

The casting looks excellent- Eric Bana was attached too, last I heard. It's an amazing cast. I'm even looking forward to Kidman, as I think this role will make great use of her ice-heart. lol Sam Houston is basically exactly how I pictured his character, as is Eva Green. Really, everyone looks great.

I like the look of the live-action art I'm seeing. I hope they continue to randomize the CGI, because right now that stands out (at least on pixilated ol' youtube) as a weak spot.

Can't wait for Dec 7th, though. :D
Thanks for the link to the video, blib!

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

What blibby said. Also, Pullman describes is as "the anti-Narnia", but I don't think it so much mirrors the narnia story as it starts at a similar point (in a wardrobe) and moves in a totally different direction.

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

Ok, color me dumb. :D
I watched the Narnia story today (twice, mind you) and it has several common points with Pullman's story. I would say though, that Pullman's story is more realistic (for the genre) in how it deals with kids, and has a more healthy message.

The Narnia film is gorgeously done and brilliantly acted. It certainly sets a high bar and the comparisons will be unavoidable. But the message of the Lewis tale, highlit at the start and repeated at the end, is "do as you're told". Pullman's story puts forward the idea of using one's own mind to make decisions, and how intelligent people give each other room to do that.

The stories share several common points, but not wanting to be a spoiler, and with no idea what will make the final cut in The Golden Compass, I'll leave off here.

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

Wow. It feels like we weren't even watching the same movie. :)

There are certainly elements of "do what you're told" in the film, but that's certainly not the message. Throughout both the book and film, we're hit over the head with the idea of considering all possibilities; even the fantastical ones. Certain characters dismiss supernatural possibilities out of hand, and if the main characters were to "do what they were told," they would have ruled Narnia out completely. Not to mention that they have to disobey Ms. McCreedy just to find Narnia.

And this is all setting aside the fact that any number of things were changed from the book for the film, of course. And this is off the top of my head.

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

The fact that the Narnia film both begins and ends with the refrain "do what you're told" sorta gave me the impression that it WAS at least part of the message, since the character it was said to (both times) is the 'bad kid' who doesn't do what he's told, gets into a big mess because of it, and then finally gets into step with his siblings.



Ennyhoodle, this is fun. :D

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

Hmm, I might have to check these books out. :D

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

Started listening to the audio book of the Golden Compass a few weeks back. Was into it and then I broke my headphones. Was interesting stuff, no doubt. Greatly looking forward to the flick and hopefully, soon, a teaser.

http://www.aintitcool.com/images2007/gc-tiny.jpg

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

I'm a bit wary of comparing the Narnia books with HDM trilogy. Those were different times, a different place for children all together, and Lewis a much different thinker to Pullman.

Abyway, I'm looking forwards to the film, even if it should be called Northern Lights ;)

You can't tell from that trailer what the kid Dakota is going to be like, but Nicole Kidman looks the part and Daniel Craig too - I always had Terence Stamp in my head for Asriel when I was reading the books, but Daniel Craig has the same bright blue eyes.

As long as they get Iorek Byrnison right and that magnificent fight, then I'll be happy.

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

This looks amazing!

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

The second instance of Peter saying "do what you're told" is sarcastic, and comes after Edmund has saved the day by disobeying. It is, then, actually saying the opposite. Moreover, it's saying it in a such a way that almost refutes the first time it was said.

And, of course, there's all the larger, more prominent themes that pretty much overwhelm the "do what you're told" meme, which is really an aside at the most, and not really in conflict with independent thought.

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

"Saved the day by disobeying"?? How so?
If he had, then I could see it, but basically it seemed to me that he eventually falls into step with his siblings. Not at all bucking the system.

I'd like to see if the way you do, I just don't.

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

During the climactic battle (just before the 2-hour mark), Peter tells Edmund to run away, and to take the girls with him. Mr. Beaver immediately yells "you heard him: let's go!" Edmund sees Jadis walking towards Peter, and draws his sword. Mr. Beaver reminds him: "Peter said 'get out of here!'" Edmund replies "Peter's not king yet," and rushes back into battle 30 seconds after being ordered not to. He bravely charges Jadis (who is making a beeline for Peter) and breaks her wand just as she lifts it over her head, presumably to turn Peter to stone. Edmund's actions stop this, and also deprive the Witch of her most dangerous weapon.

For his trouble, Edmund is stabbed by the Witch. After the battle is over (2 hours, 4 minutes in) Edmund wakes up, thanks to some of Lucy's cordial. Peter hugs him, and, while clearly laughing (and crying a bit), asks "When are you going to learn to do as you're told?" Edmund smiles and they all hug. Awww. Anyway, the line is clearly meant to be ironic.

Even in the earlier instance in which it is not meant ironically (2 minutes, 50 seconds in), Edmund's disobedience is still portrayed sympathetically. He runs back inside their house to retrive a picture of their father before running into the bomb shelter. This sympathathic tone continues when Peter confesses to Aslan that he helped drive Edmund to his betrayal, which also illustrates that Peter's authority is far from infallible.

Also, as I mentioned before there are other instances of rebellious behavior that would appear to undermine a "do what you're told" moral. Most prominent is that they stumble into Narnia because they're running away from Mrs. Macready (around the 40-minute mark), who they fear has discovered that they've broken a window. There are some little things, too, such as Susan and Lucy disobeying Aslan, who tells them not to watch him being sacrificed.

All that said, sure, Edmund is eventually forgiven by Aslan and the other children -- but he's forgiven for outright betrayal, which has nothing to do with thinking for yourself or doing what you're told, unless you're told "don't betray your family" -- which ought to be a pretty controversy-proof message.

I think the the only way someone could come away with the idea that this film was instructing viewers to do what they're told is if they were fully aware of the Christian influences throughout the film, and regarded the religion itself as somewhat authoritarian. Whether that's true or not, I don't see any real evidence of it in the film, and quite a bit of evidence to the contrary.

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

the poster looks fantastic. its a lot flashier than i imagined it but its really PRETTY. Iorek is awesome :D looks like its gonna be a good holiday movie.
however i did not picture mrs coulter as a blonde nicole kidman... well she looks beautiful AND evil in the pictures ive seen, but... blonde? i thought marisa coulter had jet black hair. and she only looks evil cuz i know she is. meh...


well it IS a disney movie after all (right? im not sure anymore)... i dont imagine disney movies are much interested in breaking stereotypes and making things more realistic. they're always very manichean (systematically opposing good to evil, with no real space in-between). i've also read narnia and i thought the story was mostly well-translated onto the movie. despite the common points i think the dark materials trilogy is way more captivating, just because its maybe meant for an older audience. narnia seems like the easy-reading type of book for chilidren - everything is so simple, and its almost like a fairy-tale.
my favourite book of all time is the golden compass, just because of the narration, the adventure... its such a beautiful world in there. so consider me biased :P

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

Just finished the Golden Compass.

Good stuff with some potential for some really great scenes if handled right. Some very grown up material in these books (pun not intended).

Even if handled poorly, I'm fairly certain this will put a hurt on the Narnia franchise - the story and characters are far, far more compelling.

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

No matter how good it is, I don't see it putting a "hurt" on Narnia, anymore than I would have expected Narnia to hurt LOTR. I don't think they aim to do the same things.

As for which is more compelling; I haven't read The Golden Compass (though I plan to soon), but I would imagine it would depend on what you find compelling in general. The Chronicles of Narnia do not have an overabundance of character development, nor should they. They are philosophical and very abstract in nature, and make some very broad, very meaningful points about God and mankind. They are stories in every sense of the word, whereas I would classify many modern tales as mere plots, if you follow.

Nevertheless, I hope to read the book soon and see for myself.

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

I've just finished the trilogy of books. Wow!

The Golden Compass is easily the weakest of the three, but it has loads of potential coolness. The last two entries though...Man alive, fantastic writing. These are some seriously challenging books. I'm surprised a studio picked it up, to be honest.

As far as fantasy series go, I don't think HDM dethrones Potter, but it certainly comes in a close second. The story is vivid, intelligent and packed with creativity. The characters, of all ages and backgrounds, have remarkable arcs that make perfect sense and yet are all surprising.

Pullman definitely hates the church establishment with a fiery passion, but his discovery and reasoning why makes for a terrific tale. I wouldn't call it an Athiests Narnia, as that would imply, to me at least, a want to convert thought away from God. Whereas I took the series' overwhelming struggle against the Authority as a reintroduction to logic and science. At the same time, science causes all kinds of problems throughout, so the net message is purely a humanist one.

And my God (pun intended), the heartbreak! OH, the heartbreak! Near tears, I was. Near tears!

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

That's exactly why TGC is more compelling: while Narnia is a good story full of philosophy but without much character development, TGC has all of those elements in spades. Am very much looking forward to your reading the books. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

I'm really looking forward to seeing this. I'm reading the book at the moment and I am really loving it. :)
I could definitely see Nicole Kidman as Mrs. Coulter and Daniel Craig as Lord Asriel. It'll be awesome to watch. :D

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

Wow, have either of you read The Chronicles of Narnia anytime recently? It's an all-time classic for a reason. I'm looking forward to His Dark Materials and expect it will be quite enjoyable, but anyone who talks about it steamrolling Narnia is inevitably going to sound (to me) like they're talking crazy words, as I revere Lewis' series for countless reasons, both creative and philosophical.

Anyway, I want to continue this discussion, but it wouldn't be entirely fair of me until I've finished The Golden Compass. Did want to address this, though:

I agree that touting logic and science does not necessarily involve converting thought away from God, but if God and the church are set up as the ideological enemy of that logic and science, then I'd say that's precisely what it's trying to do. I don't believe that tinting it with some borderline gnostic humanism (which is all the rage for writers these days, it would seem) quite changes that.

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

God is not set up as the ideological enemy, it is the people (ie, the church) who take up arms (so to speak) in his absence that the books rally against.

His Dark Materials also doesn't take place in this world. It takes place in a world where God/'The Authority' has basically left the universe. If one wanted to, it could be argued that Pullman believes God to have left our world, but I don't think it is the case. The series is also relatively non-denominational. I think it is purely to do with a man run institution that has entirely lost sight of what it was established to celebrate/teach in the first place. I don't think any objective person, religious or not, would deny that the institution that is "the church" has all kinds of selfish things done in its name throughout history.

The series is still ultimately about faith and a belief in a higher order, but it is not Jesus Christ, rather the universe and every single particle in it; whether it exist in a tree, a cat or a person.

Oh, and no, I haven't read Narnia recently.

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

I've never read the Narnia Chronicles. I based my comment above purely on your own comment that character development isn't as strong in the Narnia series as is it's philosophy.

As for "steamrolling", that's your term, m'friend. I do think, based on having seen the Narnia film and read the Materials books, which is not a fair comparison, but it's what I'm working with for now, that HDM shows potential to be a better film, because of <spoiler spoiler spoiler>. heh

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

I effin' hate banks and making payments on the phone. It takes me 5 minutes to give 3 pieces of information because this lady-machine wants me to confirm everything I say. LET ME PRESS THE DAMN BUTTONS! I don't want to keep repeating myself so that some computer is certain I'm saying what I'm saying. Damnit.

Anyways, Nicole Kidman is lookin' good but that Eva Grace, or whoever, looks kind of retarded. I'm dead serious. She kind of pisses me off just by looking at her. Anyways, what the hell's this movie about. I was trying to watch the trailer but I had to keep focused on the phone because if I would have slipped up just once, I would have had to have gone through all that crap again.

I HATE THE LADY-MACHINE!

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

I have the feeling this is a brilliantly disguised and shrewd social commentary, but I just don't know how to decipher it yet.

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

I feel it was an experience somewhere between the movie Brazil and the joke, Who's On First?

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

The trailer is pretty crappy. I know what its about and even I couldn't tell what the movie was about from the trailer.

The Golden Compass, the first of the trilogy, is about a girl named Lyra who unwillingly plays a role in a prophecy of sorts. The specifics of the "prophecy" aren't revealed until later, so I'll spare them here, but it involves her adventure leading up to a path where she will have to make a choice, a choice which she is not supposed to know she is making. There are multiple factions who either want to help her by coaxing her to this point and then there are those who want to kill her before she ever can.

Daniel Craig (Lord Asriel) is in pursuit of something called Dust, which in our world is just called Dark Matter, and eventually uses it to open a giant rift between our world and their world.

The first book, in my opinion, is actually relatively generic and really doesn't even hint at the intelligence and ferocity of the The Subtle Knife and the Amber Spyglass. It does, however, have a huge, alcoholic bear ripping out hearts, children being kidnapped and having their souls cut in half, daemons who change shape left and right, an aeronaut who kicks all kinds of ass, and sexy witches.

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

Oh, and Yod's, I should probably put a qualifier out there regarding my non-denominational label.

Pretty much the only religion under scrutiny is the Christian religion, and events of the Bible play directly into the plot and characters, but I still hold that the book's war cry isn't against Christianity, but the men who forge the once grand-intentions of organized religion into their own agendas. Pullman doesn't believe that ALL Christians are some kind of moron, but nearly every character in power (including the ones who think themselves heroic or noble) is shown to be wrong in their blind pursuit of one narrow goal or another; whether it be in the name of the church or in direct assassination of it. Only the characters who accept all other characters, accept all other ways of life, and accept all other belief systems are the ones who come out on top.

Then again, I'm firmly agnostic, so I'm not one to take offense when a book has two Angels who are also gay lovers, among many other 'heretical' showings.

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

That alone could make me sit through the whole movie.

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

Personally I thought the books hugely overrated, but there are some fascinating ideas and images which it will be interesting to see onscreen.

One thing bugs me, though: Why The Golden Compass, and not Northern Lights? I mean, it's not a compass, it's an althieometer.

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

Those Golden Compass books make me happy. It's trying to market itself as a Christmas movie, much like the first Narnia movie was released, in early December. I hope it'll be good. I suppose there's potential for screwup but I'm excited.

But as for the Narnia chronicles, how many books are there in the set? Aren't there 9 or something? I think I've only read the first one, but do the kids actually grow up in the however-many-books-there-are, or do they stay the same age?

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

There are seven in the series, and yes, the kids do grow up. In fact, some of them grow up and eventually disregard Narnia as something they simply imagined. There's a lot of macro character development like that in the books, and it contrasts greatly with modern writings in the genre, which seem to favor moment-to-moment inner workings a great deal more.

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

The later Narnia books don't feature the same kids as LtW&tW at all.

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

While they're not featured, some of the original kids appear in smaller roles as late as book five, The Horse and His Boy. And, of course, everyone is in The Last Battle.

Anyway, sorry for the off-topic chatter everyone. I'll try to resist the urge to make this thread about Narnia. ;)

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

In the set I have, The Horse and His Boy is book 3, Book 5 is The Voyage of the Dawntreader, which iirc does feature Lucy and Edmund along with Eustace. Book 6 The Silver Chair features Eustace and Jill, so I suppose it is just this one that doesn't feature the original kids. Unless you count The Magician's Nephew.

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

Yeah, at one point someone decided to publish them chronologically, which kinda bugs me. I like the idea of The Magician's Nephew (which is sixth in my set) as a prequel that goes back and explains the foundations of the world you've been exploring, rather than as a simple origin story.

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

You're not doing a very good job of resisting that Narnia Urge Yoda, lol.

Anyways, this preview has motivated me to pick up the books.

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

Failure: "Kidman said some of the religious elements were removed from the movie script. "It has been watered down a little," she told Entertainment Weekly.

"I was raised Catholic, the Catholic Church is part of my essence," Kidman said.

"I wouldn't be able to do this film if I thought it were at all anti-Catholic.""

So...the entire heart of the trilogy is already dead in the water.

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

This is a series that I am looking forward to see on film. I am a little worried that it will end up being turned more into fluff, as Narnia was, to try and appeal to a younger audience. Both this and the Narnia series are primarily about philosophy and theology, but you don't get that from the LtWatW. I do think that the cast for TGC looks very strong and that they should do a good job, but I wonder at times how the material will translate, and how the director is going to want it to translate.

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808718640/video/4451177/

New trailer is out and my word is it a lot closer to what I hoped for. There are still plenty of obvious changes, but a LOT closer all the same.

Can't wait now!

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

'The Amber Spyglass won the 2001 Whitbread Book of the Year award, a prestigious British literature award. This is the first time that such an award has been bestowed on a book from their "children's literature" category.'

that's from wiki.
i read all the books, and basically that was a reading compared to LoTR. especially the ending to the Amber Spyglass. really, really epic.
true that Pullman is anticatholic, but anti-God - I'm not that sure, as God in his books is considered as the one created by the church. It was a bit shocking for me (as a catholic) at times, thou.

will the whole trilogy be filmed?

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

I am sure that if the first one does well enough, and it would be extremely hard to imagine that it won't do well enough in theaters, that the other two will be made. There might already be plans to make them not pending on the first ones success.

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

Well the time has finally come, the day is here. Bit of a weird day for a release date, but today The Golden Compass goes on general release.

I have pretty high hopes for it for several reasons. I shall now list them.

Phillip Pullman is happy with the finished product. At the Premiere in London and in several interviews he has said he is happy with how it has turned out and is really pleased with what Weitz has done with it. So if the authors happy, thats a good sign.

Reviews have been pretty good, only problems i have heard are that it lacks heart and the cruelty to children is pretty hardcore. I for one love a bit of children cruelty, look at Roald Dahl, the man THRIVED on it and it never did him any harm. Hurrah!

Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Ian McKellen. Oh yes.

The only issue i have with it is the removal of most of the anti-religious issues, which is understandable, but it makes me wonder that if New Line decide to go ahead with the rest of the trilogy, how is this going to affect the story in the final film? Hmmmm. I guess we shall have to wait and see how GC does at the box office first....

I for one am seeing it tonight and i cant bloody wait. Huzzah!

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

I have employee appreciation at Barnes and Nobles until Sunday, so I will definitely be picking these up before then. :yup:

Re: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
 

I'm planning on seeing it this month with a reading group minus the religiously afraid, outraged, morally opposed folk.