After The Golden Compass failed to crack $70 million at the domestic box office, many industry types and American moviegoers pfffft‘d the notion that the other films in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy would ever be made. However, as Variety notes, the first film, which starred Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, and had a budget of nearly $200 million, is line to be the first film to ever crack $300 million internationally without reaching $100 million domestic. This is an astonishing disconnect, really. Producer Deborah Forte is not only hopeful that The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass will be made, she is adamant…
“This was a success as a family movie in most countries, it’s a very strong family franchise, it won an Academy Award [for Visual Effects]. We have to make the second and the third movie. …”I will make ‘The Subtle Knife’ and ‘The Amber Spyglass,’” she vows. “I believe there are enough people who see what a viable and successful franchise we have.”
The Golden Compass’s failure domestically and New Line’s decision pre-release to sell off the international rights are seen as primary factors in the studio recently being downsized and absorbed by Warner Bros. Forte doesn’t offer an outright opinion on the gross gap, but hints that she was displeased with the marketing in the U.S. She says that per discussions with New Line, Compass’s DVD, to be released stateside on April 28th, “must be marketed as a family film.” Moreover, a script for The Subtle Knife has already been written by Hossein Amini (Killshot, The Four Feathers). If Warner Bros. passes on the sequels, it’s even suggested that Forte might seek an independent route.
While I think the marketing in America focused too much on Kidman and Craig, two stars with little appeal to tweens, The Golden Compass faced a tall order of bad, nearly sensational, press domestically, with many outlets playing up the books atheistic messages. Its release during the holidays was also rather careless. The film came to be seen by the mainstream as an anti-Christian Chronicles of Narnia and thus unsuitable for family viewings. As Variety points out the film did well in Italy were the pope publicly called out the film as “the most anti-Christmas movie possible,” but Italy doesn’t have virulent talk radio and Fox News talking heads.
Discuss: Why did The Golden Compass perform so well worldwide? Are you interested in seeing the sequels?
March 8th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
I totally agree that TGC was marketed wrong.. I had no interest in seeing it when it was in the theaters because of the trailers… But when I did see it finally.. ( My wife, Red really wanted to see it) I was amazed… I loved it far more that any of the “Kid’s fantasy books” films I’ve seen. Its far superior to Harry Potter in story and film, and Narnia was just trash to begin with…
We kinda thought with the Oscar that they might start fast tracking the sequels, Red is gonna be heart broken when I tell her that there might not be a sequel for a long time…
Think I might even re watch it tonight.
March 8th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
HOW did it win an Academy Award… ugh…
March 8th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
I watched the movie three times. The special effects and action are excellent and technically difficult. That’s how they won an academy award.
I agree the marketing for TGC was poor stateside. They have to figure out how it was advertised overseas and repeat that here.
March 8th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
because that Polar bear was fucking awesome.
March 8th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
I know that a lot of people were upset about the ending, but when I saw it I just took it as “Oh, so they’re making a sequel. That’s fine.”
I’m kind of excited. I hope they do continue with the series. Golden Compass was well done, I thought.
March 8th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Is there anything worse than reading Hunter’s posts? Obviously not. Please, put your Trotskyist card on the /Film front desk, resign and get a job at Democracy Now. There are plenty of worthless commies you could impress with your keen insights and dish-water deep movie references.
March 8th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Leave Hunter Alone.
March 8th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
We all know ILM was robbed for best visual effects, even companies who
worked on it know it. Blame Micheal Bays for that, people just dont want
to give that foo’ awards. but this movie was all right, the bear fight scene is really great, make a sequel with move bear action!
March 8th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
@ Jimbo Stewart
To characteristically reply to your allegations: I’m into Communists about as much as Anna Farris’s character in Smiley Face.
March 8th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
I personally really liked the pacing of the movie… like I know some people would say it was too fast, but for me it was really well done. It did not take its time to fool around for no reason (looking at you LOTR trilogy… although it’s still the best fantasy movie ever, but watching it sometimes is a chore for 4 hours each!!!)
and VFX-wise, true… maybe the votes got split between Transformers and Pirates 3 that out of nowhere Compass won it (no disrespect to this movie’s VFX.. but getting the nomination was enough for it)
March 8th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
The trouble with the sequels, are the anti-Christian messages. I would hate to see them made with the entire messgaes of the books played down as to not offend - but I really don’t see that happening. I want the sequels, but they should keep with the themes of the books, and not be changed simply to appease the hordes of narrow-minded Christians.
March 8th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
First of all the movie is not as good as it could be considering the source material, but it was still very enjoyable and I’m really glad that they’ll make the whole trilogy.
I’m from Europe so I won’t be able to understand this stupid debate about so-called anti-religious content. First of all the atheistic message is nearly completely absent in the movie, although it’s a very strong topic in the books. In any case there was absolutely no public debate around here.
But I dont’t believe that this smear campaign by right-wing bigots hurt the movie. Those idiots started the same smear campaign against Harry Potter without any significant effect? And normally every PR is good PR.
Maybe this astonishing gap in box office success is due to the different marketing campaigns you mentioned in your post. Most people I met here perceived the movie as something like “Lord of the Rings” or “Harry Potter” and both franchises are wildly popular.
@Jimbo Stewart: Seriously, what is wrong with you? Please go away.
March 8th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
The books are definitely more popular internationally than they are in the US. That is probably the major reason why the film did so poorly. I think WB would consider adapting the other two books so long as they held onto the international distribution rights so that they could see a profit off of them.
March 8th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
I’ve recently finished reading the books of His Dark Materials and I can truly say that if the other two films are just half as good as the books, the trilogy of pictures will be a success.
I agree TGC was a good movie, but it was shortened in comarison with the book, and maybe it is a very awfull movie in comparison with it. But on its own its a good movie.
I would absolutely love to see the other two books converted into movies, even tho i duno how will they do that ’cause the subtle Knife and the Amber Spyglass, as for me, will be very dificult to adapt to movies. Specially the Amber Spyglass.
Let’s pray they wont bastardize the religious critic and such from the movies, cause its a very important topic in the books.
March 8th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
I think the Christian boycott was entirely the reason for the poor box office results in the United States. I know that students in my daughter’s junior high school classes told her that the film was “evil” and “against God” and not to see it. She did not want to see it when it first came out. It was only when it was playing at a $2 theater a month later that I finally convinced her to see it (we had seen every other PG/PG13 around). She naturally loved it and dragged her friends to it to see it again the following week.
The movie will end up being the 9th biggest grossing film of 2007 and it will be the biggest grossing film in New Line’s 40 year history with the exception of the “Rings” trilogy. It has already beaten other hit New Line films like “Rush Hour” and “Austin Powers” series.
I am looking forward to the buying the DVD and seeing the sequels.
March 8th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
I saw it twice in theatres, I would definitely see the sequels. To not make the sequels would be lame anyway considering the way the first ended. Also, there are worse films out there getting sequels…
March 9th, 2008 at 12:52 am
i thought the flop was funny because the author was such a prick.
March 9th, 2008 at 3:14 am
I love this picture. It’s fast paced, great CGI and makes for a fun night out with the family. Hopefully the sequels will get made. Will see them if they’re out.
March 9th, 2008 at 5:57 am
I thought the movie flopped because it was just plain crap. A visual rip off of the Fellowship of the Rings, right down to the Hobbit suckfest “there will be a sequel” ending.
March 9th, 2008 at 5:59 am
will I see the sequels? No. Other than the effects, I didn’t care for the movie at all. It was fast paced alright. So fast paced you didn’t know what was going on & didn’t care. If they cut the religious aspects out of the first, how can they possibly make the sequels, where the religious tone is greater? This is one serious of books that should have stayed on the shelves.
March 9th, 2008 at 6:44 am
@orange cinema: “i thought the flop was funny because the author was such a prick.”
I saw several interviews with Philip Pullman and I really liked his replies and his philosophical view on the world. Also his books are amongst the most intelligent fantasy books with the strong message to be yourself and think for yourself. Can you please explain your statement?
March 9th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
@ Jimbo, if hunter is a commie, then you are a fascist. i.e. Hitler, Bush Jr., etc. Why don’t you goose-step around and pretend you have the brain capacity to be one of your idols, the TSA (aka Brown Shirts).
Stupid shit probably believes the universe was made in 7 days.
March 9th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
mark,yer right, I totally shouldve put the quote I’m refering to, I’ll find it & post it.
March 10th, 2008 at 1:25 am
The Golden Compass was a good movie, a great adaptation, and I’d be really glad if the sequels got made. And that way, maybe the 1st one can be released in an extended version, with the full ending wich was filmed, but cut out (as evidenced by the trailers and the video game)
March 10th, 2008 at 3:19 am
Who cares if its Anti-Christian? Its a movie, if a movie can change your faith that easily then you really don’t have faith to begin with..
I also love the fact that its perfectly acceptable to make a movie with strong Christian overtones (Narnia) yet its a horrible and unaccepted idea to make a movie that has anti-Christian overtones..
They’re movies, not sermons at the f*cking Mount.
March 10th, 2008 at 7:36 am
I was actually shocked by TGC winning the VFX Oscar, over Transformers and Pirates, considering that those two were big winners of the Visual Effects Society Awards… The VES is an organization comprised of visual effects professionals, so it’s peers choosing among their peers who among them are the best of the year.
The effects for TGC were not bad; however, i felt that this has been done before in films like Narnia, and that the technical aspects of modelling, rigging and animating robots transforming into vehicles and compositing it seamlessly is much more difficult.
It’d be cool to see the other books adapted into movies, but not really that excited about it.
As for the anti-Christian undertones, I don’t really see the film saying things that are against God, but more against the oppression coming from an institution, whether it be from a religion, government, or any other higher authority.
just my opinion, though.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
I was so glad to read that there is a better chance for the sequels to get made now that Warner Brothers took over! I love the books and can’t wait to see the second and third part on screen. It would be stupid not to make the sequels since there is already a script for TSK, and some important scenes are already in the can (the ones that were moved from the end of the first to the start of the second movie). I just hope they’ll get their act together before Dakota Blue Richards is as tall as Nicole Kidman.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
I think Christians need to grow up. The world has been waiting for thousands of years and they still haven’t made it past toddler stage.
God doesn’t need us to stick up for him and if he did I’d hope he’d find better targets then a children’s movie that sparks imagination. It’s imagination that Christians are scared to death of because it’s one thing that the rank and file politicos in the Catholic Church and other staunchy guarded hierarchial religions have no control over.
I mean think about what these people are saying…”God is so great but he’s actually threatened with extinction because of a kids movie featuring a young teen-ager. Give me a break.
March 14th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Oh I hope so. I really love Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy. I also live in North America and went to see The Golden Compass twice. I really hope the trilogy will continue on the big screen. With Dakato Blue Richards back as Lyra, she was great for the part. Also I hope someone cool plays Will.
So my vote goes for yes they should do the sequels.
March 21st, 2008 at 7:00 am
I’ ve read all three books and loved them. And I like TheGolden Compass, I’ve watched it twice. Well, I’ll want to see sequels, and I hope that Warner Bross will take over filming them. They’re making good job with Harry Potter movies.
March 22nd, 2008 at 8:48 am
I ant them make the sequels as i want see what religin has to say about lord asriel killing god lol and I want to see Lee and Rodger die im sad that way :D
March 22nd, 2008 at 8:51 am
also they hav to hav the end of the first book at the start of the film aswell they didnt end it well at all.
March 25th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
The enjoyed the movie I saw it 3 times in the Theater. I have been a fan of the trilogy for awhile and have waited this whole time to see the trilogy in movie format. They owe it to the fans. I was upset at all of the crap the Christian community came up with. No imaginations, sad really. But I hope they make the subtle knife and Amber spyglass. I will be dissapointed with New Line if they don’t
March 27th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
I’ve read the entire trilogy twice. I’m also a Christian. I applaud Ironbob for his comment on imagination. There’s a terrible stagnancy in many of the denominations. Many of the individuals I know that condemn the books and movie have not read them or seen it. If a book is sold in the adult SCIENCE-FICTION section of a bookstore I’d definately hseitate to judge it. Plus, the books weren’t even originally children’s books and I highly doubt children even grasp the anti-Christian message.
I would ABSOLUTELY see the sequels because we owe it to Mr. Pullman for all his time put into the original work. If you like the books then you shouldn’t wine about the movie. Adaptations are just that. Of course there not going to be exactly the same.
March 28th, 2008 at 6:41 am
Shmam…How can you be a christain and support Pullman? He has stated publicly that he does not believe in God. What exactly do you owe him…a congratulations for promoting atheisim? A thank you for sending out a message that their is no God?
I am very confused by your post. If you thought the movies were good, thats cool. But to call yourself a Christain and then in the same breath say you look up to an atheist….well, I would ask your Pastor about that one.
I am a Christian, and I saw it (to see what all the fuss was about) and did notice the anti-religious message was absent…but i did not like the scenes of children being kidnapped, shot at, and tortured. Religios debate aside…I felt that there were scenes that were not suitable to be labeled ‘Family Movie’.
April 1st, 2008 at 6:24 pm
To Rob yes I do agree they should have had the orginal ending for The Golden Compass. The ending was disapointing. But I really liked the movie with what else they did. Yeah I hope we do see in The Sublte Knife if they make it starting on Svalbard at Lord Asreal’s house and continue the story from their.
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:27 pm
I’ve read all the books and loved the movie. I’m looking forward very much to the filming of the sequels. It’s in the Subtle Knife that things really start to get interesting. Love those daemons!!!
April 5th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
My biggest complaint with The Golden Compass was how it ended… I HATE being set up for a cliffhanger, especially when the finale had been filmed (shots of the final confrontation scene were in the US theatrical trailer). The critics here felt the same, and I think had they actually completed the film by including the climax (which the whole film had been leading up to), I think the critical response would have been more positive, which would have led more people to look at it less critically, too. It’s true New Line did a terrible job at marketing it. I had the benefit of having read the books, but many of my friends hadn’t, and they were totally confused by the trailers and pre-release marketing. And admittedly it’s a very intellectual book, much of which had to be cut out of the film or simplified. I do hope they make the final 2 films in the series; if they didn’t, it’ll affect my opinion of the first one even more (since the primary storyline of the first book/film will be incomplete and final scene then will never be seen).
April 6th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
If you really read the book you would know how terribli inaccurate the movie was. What about Tony, not Billy Costa? What about what happened with Lord Asriel and Roger? Why was the order of the fight between Iorek and Iofur and the escape from Bolvanger incorrect? What about the head of Grumman? Questions that haunt me. The key point is that the movie won an Oscar for the visual effects, nut the movie itself. The thing I disagree about the most was the bull about anti-christ. I couldn’t find a single thing in The Golden Compass that said anything bad about God. I haven’t read the Subtle Knife or the Amber Spyglass yet so I don’t know about that.
April 11th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
They should make these movies rated R and keep the thematic content intact. TGC totally pussed out from the relevance the books had. Too bad the American public are so sensitive to the Christian myths that they can’t handle an adaptation for all ages of this material.
April 16th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
I have read His Dark Materials and I have sen the movie and I loved both. I think that Pullman’s work is great and the PHILOSOPHICAL view he puts into the story (by mixing so many other culture’s religious views) is very original and very true.
And For all those close-minded “Christians,” let me tell you that it is your superstitious fanaticism in you so called faith that make you so ignorant and stupid. So what if he’s an atheist, what do you care, it is not a children’s book, it’s a family book, which he recommended for teenagers (15 yrs old) up. It is a great view of life, it is a great piece of literature, and you will just to accept someday that not everyone is a Christian and think the same as you.
That is your problem, you can’t accept that there are millions of people who have had other un-christian beliefs all around the world for all time, and you Christians go on sticking YOUR form of thoughts and your beliefs in everyones noses and you say you are just evangelizing. What the hell do anyone care about what you believe and why should you care about what others believe! Let people think by themselves and stop fucking whining about how you don’t like stuff and try to make everybody think the same!
That is, in my understanding, what Pullman REALLY criticizes about Christianity, and that is what the Christians are afraid with this kind of stuff, they are afraid that people will open their eyes and start thinking.
Don’t you read history! Pullman is the kind of man that the Church would send to torture and kill for daring to think!
By the way, he never said he was an atheist: I found what he said on the internet and this is what he said: “I suppose technically, you’d have to put me down as an agnostic. But if there is a God, and he is as the Christians describe him, then he deserves to be put down and rebelled against.”
The only thing he criticizes is the Church per se, and its constant manipulations of humanity with fear, by telling everyone how God like his vengeance and how if you don’t do and/or think the way the church tells you to you will be damed for eternity and go to Hell and other millions of ways. It is not convinient for the church that people begin to think this way because they won’t be able to buy their golden toilets to crap in or buy themselves a new mansion or to make the Vatican Bigger or to sleep with a couple of prostitutes. And that is why they whine so much.
You don’t have to be an atheist to admire this story for what is, you don’t have to believe what Pullman believes, as well as I o anybody don’t have to be a Christian to read the Bible and admire it for what it is, or you don’t have to be a jew to read the Torah or muslim to read the Coran. It’s called education, instruction, open-mindedness, and that is something that way too much people in this world need to stop being so ignorant and stupid.
April 17th, 2008 at 12:47 am
“orange cinema Says:
March 9th, 2008 at 12:52 am
i thought the flop was funny because the author was such a prick”.
Well my logic is that it takes one to know one.
The film blew me away, as a 28 year old career woman with no kids and little time to read, you’d think I’d probably never see the film or read the books. I saw the film three times on recommendation from my grandparents who saw it with my nephew, and read the trilogy within the following ten days. Absolutely fabulous, and although the alterations to the storyline didnt exactly have me jumping for joy because the writers had made it better, it really couldnt have been done in any other way, they made the best of it, and it was fantastic. I’d recommend it to absolutely anyone.
These books are only so “terrible” if you read too much into them or are judgemental from the beginning. I read all three, and only was made aware of the “anti” church debate AFTER I read the third book, purely because I picked up early on to the fact that Pullman made those worlds very similar and also incredibly diverse.
For me it was about the magic, and my demand for happy endings. The loss of Lee Scoresby had me in tears, but then he came back, not in the traditional sense, but one that made you wonder about the alternatives, it certainly did NOT preach to me “there is no heaven, all church related activity is bad, christianity is a farce!”
So without a tainted opinion, I believed the books to be more about conscious and living matter than religion and getting the claws in on the clergy. As far as I’m concerned, a book that makes reference to Angels, parallel universes, the daemon being a part of the soul that talks back, the right from wrong, good from bad, and all of that, is not a dictation of a writer preaching “my opinion is the right one”. The author gives you a whole load of ideas, and doesnt even ask you to make your mind up about them, he just suggests alternatives. Where is the mention of the clergy being corrupted in all universes? Its only in Lyra’s. But then visible daemons are only present in Lyra’s world too. Same as cars, pollution and armed robbery are only present in Will’s Oxford.
The people who are old enough to read the book for what it should be - a writer’s creative work of art, should also be old enough to appreciate that everyone is entitled to their opinion, and the only people forcing theirs on anyone else are the ones telling their kids they arent allowed to read it or watch the film because their opinion is “the right one” and that Pullman is not entitled to his because its different to their own.
See it for what it really is, an adventure story that offers endless suggestion, and plants creativity in the minds of those that appreciate it.
April 17th, 2008 at 1:45 am
“Shmam…How can you be a christain and support Pullman? He has stated publicly that he does not believe in God”.
This is what open minded christians and the rest of the world are irritated by, I too was born a christian, I believe in something, but I’m not entirely sure what. To me, God is a metaphor, and the bible is something I only ever see at weddings, funerals, and in hotel rooms.
I was born a christian, I do have thoughts and ideas about where all this came from, but I have no proof, I like Pullman’s attitude, and I support Pullman’s work. He might not believe in God, but that doesnt make him someone destined for the fires of hell because he dared to think outside the box.
Lets face it, Lyra’s Oxford never actually existed, but then again neither did the garden of eden. The bible talks about saints and sinners. Pullman does the same. The bible uses metaphor (ie the garden of eden), so does pullman.
“What exactly do you owe him…a congratulations for promoting atheisim? A thank you for sending out a message that their is no God?”
I can tell you what I personally owe Phillip Pullman… a massive thankyou firstly for expressing himself so creatively, secondly for reminding me that I have an imagination, thirdly for keeping me entertained for days and days, and lastly for the promise of “the book of dust”.
He doesnt promote atheism, far from it. What a silly thing to say, particularly without having read it first???? There is plenty of reference in the book to the kingdom of heaven, angels, spirits, etc. There is also endless reference to morality, virtue and such.
He doesnt say there is no God either, he simply said that someone else (an angel) took the credit for the work of the “creator”. This angel named himself “the Authority”, and ruled with an iron fist, caused the war of the angels, and needed sorting out. God wasnt even brought into it, and the simple fact is, the Authority is the baddie, and he isnt God. As far as I’m concerned thats an alternative suggested by a storyteller. I dont need Pullman to tell me there is no God (which he didnt anyway), the same as I dont need you telling me ther IS a God.
“But to call yourself a Christain and then in the same breath say you look up to an atheist….well, I would ask your Pastor about that one”.
Well if you believe in God, then I think you also beleive he gave you a mind and a personality and the ability to make judments based on the information you are presented with. I am a Christian, but instead of seeing Pullman’s book as a work of the devil, I see it as a truly magnificent piece of entertainment, which has got buggar all to do with my pastor. He does indeed have a good dig at blinkered christian society, not at God himself. As the above quotes suggest to me, quite rightly so too !!!
April 18th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
I’ll put it even stronger. The Catholic Church is a sham as well as all other churches that live in luxury while their members starve, reaching out with only hope that the promises the church still insures they are entitled to one day come true.
True Christianity can only be practiced when it is practiced in Jesus’ example. Here’s a man who had a pair of sandals and God’s will as his only possessions and when he told the disciples to go out and spread the word through the Church, somehow people figured out that tithing meant lining their pockets with gold.
Do I sound bitter? You’re damn right I am. I’m tired of hypocritical morons who shake a rosary or quote the Koran to justify killing of innocents and lining their pockets as having any authority to direct any of us on God.
I’m glad there is someone out there like Pullman who will stick up for those of us who know deep in our hearts that the more prestigious a church becomes the more infatuated with power and riches they become, all in God’s name.
I’ve been to the Vatican and although I deeply admire the miraculous works of master artists, I somehow also want to vomit when I think of those that control it.
April 20th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
So Ironbob, you’re looking forward to the next movie then??
April 22nd, 2008 at 4:20 am
These by far are the greatest books I have ever read and I would be angry if the next movie wasn’t made. The Golden Compass was completely awesome!!! and if its a religious thing that is keeping people for making it I think that into itself is an outrage - Its unconstitutional. Religious people can come out with what ever they want to and know one will stop them as long as it does not violate laws. non religious people should get the same treatment its only fair.
besides the books its against extreme fundamentalist dictators on all sides who want to thrawt thought and reason. Everyone should be behind that. Everyone.
April 25th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Simply an awesome movie! These anti-christian remarks about the film are really too bad and unwarranted. Thats why its a “fiction” story. Geez you’d think this stuff is real the way people respond. I am a christian and i love the film and hope they follow up on the stroy.
April 25th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
I absolutely LOVED this movie. I will be EXTREMELY disappointed if they don’t make the sequels–2009 is too long a wait!! I’ve also read the books, and for those who believe they are anti-religious please allow me to tell you that you’re mistaken. As Kelly said, Philip Pullman implies that the “Authority” they are trying to kill is an angel that happened to come before the others and took credit as creator. The Authority is NOT God; even though I’m not a Christian I do believe in him and reading this series hasn’t changed that. Again, I really loved the movie and books, and I hope that some people will give it a second chance–you don’t know what you’re missing!
April 29th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
i loved the movie and i bought it on dvd…i really hope they make the subtle knife and the amber spyglass as movies..it would be ashameto start something and not finish it..
April 29th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
I loved the movie “The Golden Compass”. I hope they make a sequel. I thought the special effects were great and the plot was very interesting. The idea that we all have demons that are animals was very interesting.
April 29th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Who cares if its Anti-Christian? Its a movie, if a movie can change your faith that easily then you really don’t have faith to begin with..
I also love the fact that its perfectly acceptable to make a movie with strong Christian overtones (Narnia) yet its a horrible and unaccepted idea to make a movie that has anti-Christian overtones..
They’re movies, not sermons at the f*cking Mount.
I was trying to think what I could say in support of a sequel.
I hope the other poster doesn’t mind quoting them(Allynd Dudnikov)
But I couldn’t say it better, IMO religion regardless of which one it is has No right to influence, suggest or alter what is in a movie, text, music, education, etc. Thus the well founded wish of our forefathers for the separation of church and state.
I think it Idiotic to not make both sequels, after all the first one made money. If anything that should be the deciding factor.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
I think that this was a much needed discussion. The Golden Compass, I feel is a smash. Although I don’t understand why people would think it was Anti-Christmas and Anti-God. They had taken the largest religious scene out of the movie, so people should stop whining because it is gone. It talks nothing about hatred of God and being anti-christian, but that is just a bunch of junk talk. If they had put the Aurora Borealis part of the book at the ending into the movie I suspect that if word got out even more people would not want to see it. Or perhaps there could be more people wanting to see it for Phillip Pullmans intellectual thinking of Adam & Eve. Who is to say we all couldn’t not be able to speak to animals, and when they bit the fruit we were allowed? Nobody will ever know. I think it has to do with people getting an Anti-Christian vibe from it because it gave a few different views on what happened in reality. What people should know is NOBODY knew what happened when Adam & Eve were alive. It happened thousands of years ago; (supposedly) and I doubt any of us were alive! I’m not saying I do not believe in God, because I do believe in the Holy Ghost. Its just that… I don’t think The Golden Compass came off that bad. I think it had a great demographical launch, and the movie has many scenes that are in SNOW. SNOW is usually a part of CHRISTMAS and TOGETHERNESS. But some people had to be “blah blah, I think it anti-christian, blah blah.” Which TGC is not anti-christian if you look at it from a different perspective. Phillip Pullman did not sugguest anything negative about Christianity! All he did was said something about Adam & Eve that was off by a bit. THATS ALL!
- Thank you for Reading my view.
P.S. I have not read all of The Amber Spyglass, and i doubt Phillip Pullman would even put something anti-christian in his book . I also think the time of TGC was great considering it was the holidays because some people HAD NOT EVEN READ TGC which gives them a completely different view of it.(it was not a negative time to release it… at all.)
P.P.S Excuse all of the capital letters please. ^.^
May 1st, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Well, I must say that I am glad to have found this forum to express my opinion on the matter of religious controversy with respect to the series, His Dark Materials. Firstly, I should tell readers that I am a devout Christian, of one of the more reputidly strict denominations. There are several here who have expressed very opinionated comments on both sides of the spectrum. I, for one, would like to express to everyone here that I absolutely loved the books, His Dark Materials. I thought it was a remarkable journey into the controversial topic of religous dominion. I will right out agree with Phillip Pullman that religion has and is an oft used vessel by religious leaders for advancement in social, political, and economic fields. I do not, however, share the same beliefs in God as he. But why would that make me any better than him? Why should I try to force my religious views on him? I can do exactly as he did, and present my opinion, but by trying to ban or stop production of movies or books just because they conflict with my opinion is un-Christian! I think that any devout follower of any Christian faith should remember the Christ’s teachings were not of hate, or indifference, or trying to dominate anyone with our opinion. That is practically an outline of what the Satan (for those of us who believe in his existence) tries to do to people. We as professed followers of Christ should try and cultivate relationships of goodwill and love with everyone, regardless of relgious denomination. For goodness sake people, wars are started from simple differences of opinion. It is merely how we react when presented with new ideas and opinions that distinguishes us as followers of a Christian faith. Lets (now speaking directly to Christians) stop our whining and be open to new ideas, not necessary integrating them into our own beliefs, but at least not having a fit when someone doesn’t agree with us. I think I have ranted sufficiently enough now. I do think that the next movies should be made, and I will see them. Oh and for all of the fans out there, there is supposedly a future release of and extended version DVD (for which I anxiously awate).
May 3rd, 2008 at 10:33 am
Honestly, I think it was bad timing on releasing it. But I adamantly loved the books as well as the movie. If you honestly look at the book, it doesn’t HAVE to be taken in an atheistic way. It’s a STORY people. You take it much too seriously.
I sincerely hope that the second and third movies are made. I hate it when a series is begun and never finished. If you don’t want to see the movie, don’t go see the movie. Don’t force other people to miss it. I for one wish to see the end of the series in film. It is a beautiful ending, in my opinion. If you’ve EVER READ the books, you’d understand the ending I’m talking about.
I used to be a Christian, and I respect the faith. I abandoned it, but that doesn’t mean I don’t respect it’s ideals. I don’t have the strength to have faith in something like Christianity as some do. But, having my Christian background, this series didn’t offend me and it didn’t offend any of my Christian friends who read it. I loved the books and I’m sure, if they are made, I will love the movies.
One point I must make is that the Narnia movies have been made and are worshiped. Yet, being a non-Christian, I feel uncomfortable when people talk about the movie. Why should we all be so easily accepting of a Christian-based movie and yet condemn a movie that believes something anti-Christian? I still go to see the Narnia movies, because they are good movies. But it makes me angry when people get angry over a movie that can be as innocent as you want it to be. The Amber Spyglass can be looked at in many different ways. It doesn’t have to be God-destroying. Many people just take the books out of perspective. Keep in mind that they ARE JUST BOOKS.
Keep that in mind people before you keep others from enjoying these movies. I want to see them made because I thought the books were brilliantly written and ended. I enjoy a good fantasy flick. Why can’t you?
May 3rd, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Ok people seriously, TGC was an all around good family film and deserves to have the two sequels made. I have never read the books and dont plan to. I read the LOTR books as well as Harry Potter books that really make the films look lame in comparison. It’s simple, there are movies out there that are far worse than TGC that for whatever reason get the luxury of a sequel. I just watched TGC a couple of days ago and let me tell you, I am frustrated that there is even talk about not making a sequel. The movie left you not knowing anything. You finish it thinking “OH, hey, I can’t wait for the sequel to come out so I know what the heck happens!!!!” Not for a second would i be satisfied with the ending to the first movie if there weren’t going to be sequels made. Questions are not answered. Besides, making the second one would be cheaper than the first one. Sure it didn’t become a huge hit in the United Sates but who cares. It made somethign like $370 million and only cost $180 million to make. I see a profit there that is worth making the sequels. Plain and simple….MAKE THE DARN SEQUELS!!!!!!!!
May 4th, 2008 at 5:21 am
Right, time to sort things out a bit. Now what i am about to say is entirely my opinion/truth whether you hate it or not. Be prepared for a long one.
First of all, TGC one an award for the oustanding special effects because nothing can compete with what they did. Listen carefully - Every single character in that book was acompanied by a cgi animal with fur or scales, claws or paws and specific movement and size. Then there was the panserbjorne (ice bears) that were modified with specific fur and mucle complexion and skeletons in the whoe cgi picture. A whole fight was even made out of it. They even had entire cities made parallel!
almost every scene had a green screen behind it for the special effects and do you know how hard it is to make animals that look serious, have emotions like humans and react to there backround whilst on a computer creen added with real actors. Very.
Narnia had good special effects and animals with emotions and expressions, Pirates of the carribean had good cgi backgrounds, lord of the rings had good cgi fights. But Chis weitz and his team managed to do all three, whilst keeping the religion relativelyout of it as to not upset the audience, whilst keeping the same feel of the books in the film. Youve got to give the film credit for that.
Also, do you have any idea why PP wrote the books, not because he wanted to make god seem like a bad guy, or to ruin the fabric of christianity, but because he couldnt think of what to write next. As he had just read an anti - christian book he was slightly inspired and iterested in whatwas the truth. If he’s an strong atheist well thats him, not the entire world. His books are for ENTERTAIMENT. as are the films to possibly come.
Personally i think that whoever critisizes pullman or weitz or the books or anyone who likes them is a paranoid christian retard who needs to get a life and not take it so seriously.
The film was a slight let down but whatdo you expect, the book was long, intimate and detailed. It would take weeks to read and years to wright. The film can only be a certain amount of time so you cant blame them for cutting out the ending and other stuff. It was a shame but oh well, move on. Hopefully we’ll see the end next year.
The books are great, the film was certainly entertaining and i couldnt see much anti christian stuff in TGC. If you truly believe that the next films should not be made not be made because of religious content and possibility of ruining the books then shame on you. Like i said earlier the film is for entertainment only. Theyll change the books you say? theyll ruin them? No they wont, i can see them right over there on the shelf behind me. Like theyll always be.
Personally i hope to see the next books be made into a film and in fact being 13 years old and looking quite similar to Will Parry i think i may audition for the 12 year old if the time comes. Mybe i’ll be lucky….
MAKE THE SEQUELS!!!!
May 5th, 2008 at 8:03 am
to anyone who is offended by the content of these books or movies i just want to say, IT’S A STORY. and it’s a very well written and enthralling story. i am a Christian and “his dark materials” offends me in no way.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I dont care what anybody says I loved the movie and I hope like hell that the second and third book become movies as well. And not all of the US disliked the movie me and everyone I have talked to about the movie has liked the movie.
May 6th, 2008 at 3:21 am
This so-called debate is a load of crap. As a christian i was raised to accept and respect other peoples views and religion and so forth.
I mean who the fuck cares if philip pullman aint a christian;most people in the world are not christian. You Americans better grow some thicker skin you act like small children who are looking for thieir mommies.
ANGRY NORWEGIAN
May 6th, 2008 at 3:26 am
And one more thing;people who critisize and hate other people are NOT!!! good christians anyway.
JESUS IS ABOUT LOVE NOT HATE AND PREJUDICE!!!
ANGRIER NORWEGIAN!!!
May 7th, 2008 at 12:46 am
I really liked this movie, does anyone know when the next one comes out? I was disapointed that it ended like that. I really hope they make the rest of the sequels. this movie reminds me of narnia, harry potter and lord of the rings, i love the fastasy!! So does anyone know when the next movie comes to theaters??? email me ford01girl@aol.com thanks
May 7th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
In response to Ali who said “I know that a lot of people were upset about the ending, but when I saw it I just took it as “Oh, so they’re making a sequel. That’s fine.—
Did anyone else see that ending and think “Oh, they softened the ending into more of an ending than the book had, which probably indicates they don’t know if there will be a sequel.”? I mean, the “end” of the first book (and the second) were not endings in any way at all (they were big fat “HAHA you have to read the next book”s)… the ending of the film was far more encapsulating, but maybe that’s just the difference in medium.
I enjoyed the flick, in spite of the disappointment when comparing to the books (I go in expecting that… books don’t translate perfectly to film, whatev’)
I think they should Incredible Hulk this… let it die, then some years later when people stop talking about how crap it was, start anew… and market it RIGHT. I knew seeing the ads that relying on the star power to carry the film was a poor idea (and indicated to me that the film couldn’t carry itself). The film should have pushed the envelope and gone overboard with the anti-Christian message. That would have created more heat from the church and more buzz for the film in general. ANY publicity is good publicity… especially since it’s edgy to go against the church (which I’m enjoying watching suffocate itself).
Why not continue with 2 and 3? The timeline that the sequels could be made on seems to make it impossible to recast Dakota unless she doesn’t age through puberty. Continuing the trilogy with the main character recast would just be upsetting. I’m still not sure I really think Dakota was a good fit with Lyra anyways. Additionally, the comments about playing the film up as a family flick make me think they pointedly wont be pushing the envelope as far as anti-Christian goes… Narnia was a huge family film success, because the good Christians made it so and it’s easy to point this film in the direction of “It worked for Narnia, it’ll work for us”… Alas, hiding the anti-Christian will merely lose them the crowd that likes that, not gain them the crowd that doesn’t.
And for heaven’s sake, if they do restart, please make the Gyptians more Gyptian… and somehow con Sam Elliott and Eva Green into returning…
May 7th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
I dont see why they will not be made. According to ‘The Numbers’ http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2007/DARKM.php , Golden Compass world gross sales were $365,677,285. Thats not to shabby in anyones world.
As to the anti Christian theme, I dont see that being much of a problem except within the US. Remember, latest estimates say that there are close to 800,000 atheist in the world. Thats not far from 1 billion. The same source estimates 1.5 billion Christians in the world, and that is including those who no longer practice. There are the numbers out there to support all of the films being made without the Churches approval. And in the real world, its the dollar signs, not beliefs that dictate production.
Also, if you count the Non Christian religions, there is a much larger source of possible viewers of future Dark Materials films than those who might not watch it, or publicly claim they will.
May 7th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
I loved these books and loved this movie. Just watched the DVD and began looking for plans for the sequel — only to find that they were in question. I certainly hope not. I want to see them.
The making of this movie was done well — but could have done without Nicole Kidman.
Suzanne
May 9th, 2008 at 9:58 am
I don’t even recall when this movie made its debut in the U.S. last year, and as of May 9, of 2008; I can say I have finally watched it along with a few of my friends. It was awesome! The Golden Compass may have targeted the early teen generation but I loved it and I’m 24 years old! I agree that the marketing and the debut date were complete failures but looking beyond that, it was a really great film. All this anti-Christian hate towards this film is totally mistaken. I’m a Catholic and I don’t see what all the fuss is about. The morals of love, friendship, courage, trust, loyalty, bravery, etc can be seen throughout. I would recommend Christian people who have a problem with this film to watch it open mindedly and try and see past their own ignorances. I can only hope for a sequel!
May 13th, 2008 at 9:30 am
It was better worldwide because even though america is supposed to be “the boiling pot”, Allowing all religious views and freedom of speech and opinion its everywhere else in the world that they really welcome the movie for what it is. ENTERTAINMENT!
May 13th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
I’m American and a huge fan of His Dark Materials. People like my family and church were boycotting it because it was written by an atheist and questioned the church, but this should NOT keep the movie industry from making the two sequels!!! Warner Bros. needs to show that it is unafraid to stand up against censorship. If it does, it will find that it comes with many rewards… soon these movies will get their deserved popularity.
Also, the first movie got low ratings in part because of its horridly sappy ending, but if the second and third movies stay with the books they will foster much more excitement, higher ratings, and a bigger audience.
I’ll drag everyone I know to see the second and third movies when they are made. If they are not, I will be more than disappointed in WB.
May 17th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
Thank god, I just finished reading the books and I am eagerly awaiting the movies. I was up at 3 am on most nights reading the books, they are easily the best books I have ever read. The golden compass was also an amazing movie, I have seen it twice already.
May 18th, 2008 at 12:49 am
I’ve followed the discussion on this blog since the beginning and found it very insightful and entertaining. However, for all those who haven’t read the books and go around saying His Dark Materials was anti-Christian or even anti-God, let me just put something right: Pullman never says a single word against God. He doesn’t even say God doesn’t exist. All he says is that “the Authority” who is worshipped by the Church in the books is NOT God but a power-mad angel who just PRETENDS to be the creator. He is the one whom Lord Asriel seeks to destroy, not the creator himself. I think all those who say Pullman promotes atheism or the killing of God need to re-read the books.
May 19th, 2008 at 6:19 am
The book was infintely superior to the film but the film wasn’t too bad. I would go and watch the next two films just to see how they intend to fit everything and see if they pull it off.
I am generally not a fan of film conversions of books but I would say that this was a reasonable production but it would be more entertaining if I didn’t know the book and therefore wasn’t aware of how everything should have been.
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:12 pm
i loved this movie. being a fan of all 3 books, i thought it was a lot better of an adaptation than the last harry potter movie. i hope they make the sequels
going to a catholic school, however, and i do understand (since I live in the U.S) how the movie flopped. the school office was even handing out flyers telling us that we shouldn’t see this movie. I really want there to be sequels though.
May 26th, 2008 at 8:30 am
The books are really wonderful and there was so much of the sub-plot that they couldn’t (or avoided) in the movie to make it more marketable. I think people would have enjoyed the movie more if they had read the books. Hope they still make the next two movies!
May 30th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
The movie is amazing, I’d love to see a sequel and I’d bet anything that regardless of the press the sequel would break all expectations at the box office because people are now seeing the wonders of the work. Forget religious views, whatever happened to exploring imagination and appreciating all it’s wonders?
June 1st, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Just watched DVD and all I can say is there was 2 hours I will never get back. Visuals were very nice although often very obviously CG and models, but the plot was so disjointed and the screenplay choppy at best. A lot of talented actors and talented effects people all for naught. I for one could not care less if they never make the sequels.
June 1st, 2008 at 6:52 pm
I just saw the movie…Please make the sequel! I can’t wait to see it! Great characters and the story is so different and refreshing. And I agree with redandjohnny; The Polar Bear was fucking awesome! Do it!
June 2nd, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Religion is religion — art is art. Christianity does NOT rule the art world, nor should it. One’s faith is personal and should not be forced upon others who do not share the same beliefs. If you don’t like the messages in a movie, don’t watch it! But you have no right to censor the rest of the world. If you are truly a Christian you should follow the tenets that Christ taught –”Judge not lest ye’ shall be judged!” Follow your own path and allow others to do the same!
TGC was well done; good story, great special effects. I hope New Line/Warner Brothers will be brave enough to do the sequels.
June 4th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
I Did not read the books, I did enjoy the movie. They can make a profit by not releasing the movie at Christmas. Its like Black Friday, retailers wait untill the end of the year to make 50% of their profits? Spread it out, don’t wait untill the end of the year when everyone in the world is after your dollar. Its all in the release.
June 6th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Does anyone know who will play Will in the sequel?
June 9th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Aaaaah!
I’m so excited!
ANGELICA ROOLZ
June 9th, 2008 at 11:03 am
I had no intentions of seeing this movie, it looked like a LOTR rip-off. One of my friends went and saw it at the theaters with his g/f, and said the movie was awesome, and even said it was better than LOTR or Chronicles of Narnia (which I am not really that much of a fan anyway either one), I laughed at him. So a few months have passed and I decided to rent it a couple of nights ago. Now I see exactly what he was talking about. Everyone in my family that watched it last night (including my parents who are Christians) loved the movie. This movie was really alot of fun, and to tell you the truth I’m not heavy into reading books and such. I never even heard of “His Dark Materials”, and knowing me, I never will read them. But I really do hope they make a sequel to this movie.
June 9th, 2008 at 11:14 am
(oh i got the part)
June 9th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
I seen the movie before I read the books and didn’t really get the whole plot but it made more sense after I did. When I bought the DVD I watched all the special features and when I watched the theatrical trailers they show parts of the movie that weren’t in the film, most of it was the last couple chapters of the book. So the ending of the book has already been shot, so I believe there will be a Subtle Knife.
June 9th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
I am a christian and I still adored these books and the movie. I think a person needs to be able to distinguish(sp?) what they believe from what they experience in life. I can fully believe in God and really enjoy a well written book, even if it questions my faith (I think almost foolishly i mean come on.. dust??) but how is our faith to be tested if its not questioned… *shrug* I really think they need to stop worrying so much over media influencing what we believe because if parent raise their kids right, they will grow up to be good people… whether God was involved or not (in my opinion, hopefully he was, but I don’t feel pushing a belief is right either)
June 9th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
There are auditions for the part of William Parry. They have already cast Angelica, she is played by Elizabeth Pargeter. Apparently she and Dakota have been friends for ages. But she is a great actress and also appears in Smart People
June 9th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
William Parry auditions are in Ocotber. They are a lovely crew, i got their autographs the other day. Its donna be such a great second movie. I auditioned for Angelica, but Elizabeth Pargeter was absolutely fantastic and can play the chavish side of Angelica really well!
June 9th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Congrats Beth! :D
So does that mean it is certain now that the sequels will be made?
June 9th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Well the film was great so I read the books, and they put the movie to shame, but then again, as they say… the movie NEVER does the book justice. The LOTR films are fantastic, but the books are always going to be better. The HP films are good, if you are tolerant of shoddy special effects, but the books are truly un-put-downable. I’d never in a million years expect the films to do the books any justice, but thats always going to be the case, and I am so glad to have read above that they are auditioning for the part of Will this year, I just hope the sequels are as good as the first one.
I dont like all this anti-christian talk, my sister pointed me toward this thread (kelly), and she was right. There was so much hype over the anti christian theme in HDM. I was aware of this before I read the books because kelly ranted about it and started a debate with no less than a dozen member of my family, all of which are christian, hence why now I’ve finished reading the books I’m here.
To anyone whose thinking that Mr Pullman’s attitude towards christianity sucks, well save yourself an embarrassment and read the books before you open your mouth. The reason I say this is purely because the word “GOD” is not mentioned in any of the books!! Not once!! Read the books, the plot, for what it is, one individual’s imagination and opinion written on paper for people to share and be entertained by.. as someone else said above, is not about said hero killing God.
IN THESE BOOKS AN ANGEL TOOK THE CREDIT FOR THE WORK OF “THE CREATOR”, NAMED HIMSELF “THE AUTHORITY” AND CAUSED THE WAR OF THE ANGELS. THIS IS THE BEING THE HERO SEEKS TO DESTROY, GOD WAS NEVER BROUGHT INTO IT. “THE CREATOR” IS AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER.
ENTER LORD ASRIEL…. ASRIEL’S ROLE IS TO UNITE THE WORLDS, CREATE A FREE KINGDOM WHERE EVERYONE IS EQUAL AND NOBODY HAS TO LIVE BY ANY ONE PERSON’S RULE. IF THATS SO BAD, THEN REMIND YOURSELF THAT THIS IS A STORY WRITTEN FOR GROWN UPS.
I dont think there was any cited reference to Pullman being an atheist, at least not that I’ve read. He has issues with christianity (so it would appear), and with religion in general, but doesnt everybody?? Just because this guy wrote his own beliefs into a book, doesnt mean he’s wrong.
Someone wrote a story once about a man walking on water. Someone also wrote a story about an old man building an ark and loading it full of animals to save them from a flood. There was another story about a talking serpent, and a man and woman who were created on the same day as all the other beings on this planet. The same person was clearly not so well informed as to know the truth about homo sapien, the dinosaurs and the big bang. None of that bible talk literally happened, but they were stories written by people who shared a common belief. Billions of other people believe otherwise, apparently Pullman is amongst them.
Pullman’s work is FICTION. His HDM books are not for children. Kellerman writes about murder, but it’s fictitious. Danielle steel writes about illegitimate children and Andrews writes about women falling in love with their own brothers. When will these campaigners stop and consider the fact that in the HDM books there are tales of elephant like creatures who rely on seed pods for transport, and talking polar bears who make armour from metal that falls from the sky. None of it is true, this guy has an imagination. He has an opinion, he clearly has a fantastic sense of humour. If someone wants to put that onto film, they yay pullman, and yay warner bros. Millions of people paid good money to go see TGC, and I guarantee you that there are millions more who will pay good money too see the sequels. I and my sister will be amongst them because Pullman wrote his own truths, just like the bible was written by people who had their own truths. We know it’s not fact, we know the snake and the poison apple never existed, but neither do talking polar bears or Lyra Belacqua!! They still make good reading, and the films might not be perfect but I think “the silence of the lambs” or even “old yeller” are far more damaging to children than TGC.
June 10th, 2008 at 2:05 am
So true Ben!
As you said, “The Creator” is just an innocent bystander in the books, and that’s what intrigues me because I believe it might really be this way. Think about it: if the Creator gave us free will, using it includes taking responsibility for the consequences of our own actions. So, if some people wonder why God (or whatever you like to call the Creator) doesn’t prevent wars and lets horrible things happen, this might be the reason - they are consequences of OUR actions, and we would never learn if the responsibility was taken off our shoulders. That would just be the easy way out.
I think Pullman’s trilogy is truly fascinating because it says so much without ever hammering any messages home. The more you think about it, the more truths you find in it, and they are neither Christian nor anti-Christian thruths but universal ones. Whether one believes in God or not, one can still find them to be true.
June 11th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
i thought this film was incredible and was SO surprised that it was as good as it turned out to be. Somewhere i had read a few bad reviews…something about the story-line coming across as fragmented. Whatever the case, i think it’s a beautiful film with much to offer in terms of new twists and it gives the viewer and exceptional dose of eye candy!! i plan to add it to my library. i logged on to the internet to see when the sequels were coming out. it seems the US had a dose of bad marketing for this film. i am hoping enough people have seen it on dvd and are now also anticipating the sequels. cheers! :)
June 12th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
OH MY GOODNESS!! My fiance and I just saw this movie and are extremely pissed that there is talk of no sequel! I have never heard of these books or this author. I am a christian and believe that the entertainment these people provide is wonderful. I know that the real book is the bible because have you ever such an alive book?! I am very excited to see these books come to film and would love to see the trilogy become like the Harry Potter books and complete the story for those of us who love to watch the movies. I am a teacher and my students love read books and watch films. As a teacher it is a great way to inspire children to read, write, and use their own imagination. I really hope the powers of the film industry will see this and release the production of the sequel of the film.
June 13th, 2008 at 10:04 am
the films are being made. it is in post production at the moment and is bound to be a blockbuster! does anyone have Elizabeth Pargeter’s email adress?
June 13th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Yep,
I go to skl with her.
beth-hiya@hotmail.co.uk
DONT TELL HER I TOLD U THIS!!!
Nicole Lambe :)
June 13th, 2008 at 10:08 am
THERE IS A SEQUEL BECAUSE IT IS IN POST PRODUCTIO AT THE MOMENT!
June 13th, 2008 at 10:09 am
I know of one cast member- Elizabeth Pargeter who is going to play Angelica
If u wanna contact her the email is
beth-hiya@hotmail.co.uk
BUT DON@T TELL HER I TOLD U!!!
June 13th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
I downloaded the trilogy online from a science fiction course on a Taiwanese university site and read the whole thing last long weekend.
I was enthralled! My wife and I then hired the DVD and I must say I thought it was a pretty good attempt, although with some poor editing and with the ending totally screwed up.
I was looking forward to the part where Lyra released the poor captured daemons from the research facility - that would have done my soul good!
Ben, whist I agree with the thrust of your post, the version of the story I have on PDF specifically identifies the Authority as “God, Yahweh, El, Adonai”. Just as Lyra lived in Oxford, but it was not our Oxford.
All I can say is that the creature that died in The Amber Spyglass was not my God, nor I bet yours or anybody else’s. I so do not want to meet anybody whose God that was! That is the whole point - to make you think again.
Any way, I’m delighted that Time_Warner are going to make the sequels and that there are so many millions of us that love Lyra and her wonderful brave and loyal friends.
June 14th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Are you sure Italy doesn’t have virulent talk radio and Fox News talking heads?
Similar forces do exist in Italy, though I doubt they’d waste too much hot air critiquing movies since they have the church to take care of that for them. Bush is in Italy right now shaking hands with his ultra-right wing counterpart this weekend, by the way. Well, at least Italy has its fair share of liberals to keep things in check and better taste in art.
June 15th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I loved this movie. I wanted to see it a long time ago and never had time.
Yesterday I had a couple hours, so I rented it from iTunes. I’m now going to buy the DVD for my grandchildren. Why do all movies have to have a double meaning now days? I enjoyed it and didn’t think about the pretense when finished. Only how much I wanted to share it.
June 16th, 2008 at 7:52 am
I had never read the books or heard of the Golden Compass before seeing previews for it. I had wanted to see it in the theatre but there were other movies I wanted to see more. I finally rented it and LOVED it! I immediately thought this is a movie I will buy and watch over and over. I thought it was phenomenal. I came across this article as I was trying to find out when the next movie will come out. I’m on the edge of my seat… I can’t wait.
I do agree it wasn’t marketed correctly or enough. But just because it didn’t do well in the box office doesn’t mean it won’t do well as a rental or to be purchased. Also releasing the movie in December is hard enough with rising gas prices and christmas shopping not everyone can go to the movies.
I really hope they make the sequels!
June 16th, 2008 at 9:04 am
<