The Golden Compass

jacquie · The Golden Compass

I haven't read the books or seen the movie, and I don't want to start a huge argument about atheism etc, but I was just wondering if the film had caused the same kind of fuss there as it has here?

For instance a Utah teacher actually emailed all his kids parents to tell them they shouldn't see it.

daisydap

yes, i seem to remember a few days ago there was a discussion about it, aparently though nicole kidman has said that if it was denouncing religion especially catholisism then she wouldnt have agreed to do the film, so puts the claims as unfounded

Blossom

Daniel Craig as Lord Asriel.....*sigh* Very Happy

Aknita

Jacquie - having read all three books, I have to tell you that even though they are children's fiction they are among the most captivating books I have read. I cared so much for the two central characters that I cried for them at the end of the third book. They are, in my opinion, better written than the Harry Potter books too.

Essentially I believe the books are good old fashioned good against evil and I do believe that the majority of the people denouncing both books and film have seen or read neither.

And I don't want to be controversial either, but what is wrong with allowing people to watch/read and and deciding for themselves?

edited to say we've had little discussion about the books here

Blossom

I wholeheartedly agree with you Joy...well said...I also absolutely love these books...they are amongst my most fave and I cried when I came to the end of the last book as I so didn't want them to end!! Smile

Can I just say again...just because I have too....Daniel Craig as Lord Asriel *sigh* and he looks great with a beard too! Laughing

gilraen

I too have read the Dark Materials Trilogy and was captivated, although I have to say it took me to half way through Northern Lights to feel that. This is a wonderful woven tale rather than a simple story. The characterisation is wonderful!

I do have to agree with Joy in one sense and disagree with her in another. They are beautifully written and as an adult I appreciated the literary skills that shone from the book, however from the perspective of the younger child the Harry Potter Books are more easily read as they are more simply written, IYSWIM? I'm a plain english advocate!

I hope that makes sense? Smile

As to religion, I agree with the old sentiment, never discuss religion or politics, it is pointless Wink

especially with any sort of fundamentalist/extremist/fanatic etc. You are merely fuelling attention seeking behaviour! Wink

carolinne

is it religious like the narnia books are religious? ie so that you can choose to see it that way if you've a mind to but actually mainly it is a tip top story ......the star wars movies in fact any good v evil movies can be seen like that.

i am really looking forward to going

Auntie Noo

I don't think the whole "religious" argument has errupted here really. I'm a firm believe that if your faith is shaky enough to be rocked by a work of fiction then it wasn't great faith in the first place........ but that's just me!!! Wink

(and truly no offence meant to anyone)

jacquie

Aknita

Mainly carolinne it's a tip-top story, with, as Gilraen says, wonderful characterisation. I'm still in two mind about the film - but only because ( for me ) several of my favourite books have been ruined by the film.

The religion question never occurred to me when I read the Narnia chronicles as a child Confused

I just enjoyed the stories.

Auntie Noo

Funnily enough I'm just listening to the Narnia stories from audible - they're great. Never too old for a good children's classic!!!

carolinne

gilraen

Narnia, LoTR, HP, anything is open to question by some.........this is why argument is futile and irrelevant IMHO.

murdo

Agree...I am convinced that Lost In Space is a parody of working in the moden NHS...but there you go!

gilraen

Lost in Space? MMMMMmmmmm Comedy of Errors sometimes, Androcles and the Lion often and The Italian Job as A4C maybe...... Laughing

Sprite64

Aknita

Well now I have finally given in and been to see this this afternoon. I always have low expectations when I see the book of the film iyswim, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised, and actually enjoyed the film for what it was. The girl who played Lyra was very good, and the scenery and effects were very good too, especially in the snowy North. Nicole Kidman was quite sinister, but the daemons were disappointing imo.

It will be interesting to see if they carry on and make "The Suble Knife". On the strength of this, I do hope so.