Culture & Youth

Religious row takes over Hollywood blockbuster of Philip Pullman novel

A row over religion has engulfed the movie version of ‘The Golden Compass’, one of Philip Pullman's children’s novels from the series His Dark Materials, as critics say that the Hollywood film waters down the anti-Catholic themes in the book so as not to offend.

A row over religion has engulfed the movie version of ‘The Golden Compass’, one of Philip Pullman's children’s novels from the series His Dark Materials, as critics say that the Hollywood film waters down the anti-Catholic themes in the book so as not to offend.

The book rejects organised religion and in particular, the Catholic Church, but this has been taken out so as not to offend followers in the UK and USA.

The expected blockbuster, named ‘The Golden Compass’, after the American title of Pullman’s novel Northern Lights, will star Nicole Kidman and James Bond star, Daniel Craig.

Film makers have said that they have stayed true to a majority of the magical narrative in the novel, but the sinister organisation known as the Magisterium has, however, been changed, so that the film will now appear to be a more general widespread attack on dogmatic authorities.

Pullman has said that he believes the “outline of the story is faithful to what I wrote, given my knowledge of what they have done”.

However, the National Secular Society, which the author is an honorary associate - has decided to speak out on the alterations from the novel.

Terry Sanderson, president of the society said, “It was clear right from the start that the makers of this film intended to take out the anti-religious elements of Pullman's book. In doing that they are taking the heart out of it, losing the point of it, castrating it.

“It seems that religion has now completely conquered America's cultural life and it is much the poorer for it. What a shame that we have to endure such censorship here too.”

Nicole Kidman, however, who is Christian herself, has defended the movie. She said that the novel “has been watered down a little ... I was raised Catholic, the Catholic Church is part of my essence. I wouldn't be able to do this film if I thought it were at all anti-Catholic.”

The children’s novel tells the story of Lyra, who battles against a dominant religious authority called ‘The Magisterium’, which condones the abduction of children for experimentation.

Movie director Chris Weitz, who directed British hit family comedy ‘About A Boy’, starring Hugh Grant, assured that the film would be a fair reflection of Pullman's novel.

He said, “In the books the Magisterium is a version of the Catholic church gone wildly astray from its roots. If that's what you want in the film, you'll be disappointed.

“We have expanded the range of meanings of what the Magisterium represents. Philip Pullman is against any kind of organised dogma whether it is church hierarchy or, say, a Soviet hierarchy.”

Added: Friday, December 14, 2007, 21:09 (GMT)

We should never give our money to the makers of a movie like this!! And we should keep our children away from it!! Philip Pullman is trying to get into their heads at a young age, and corrupt them!!

Karen G, chicago, Illinois

Added: Monday, December 3, 2007, 0:40 (GMT)

“We have expanded the range of meanings of what the Magisterium represents. Philip Pullman is against any kind of organised dogma whether it is church hierarchy or, say, a Soviet hierarchy.” Uh-huh. That would explain all those references to Stalin and gulags and communism in His Dark Materials. /sarcasm

Ellie M., toronto canada

Added: Wednesday, November 28, 2007, 12:18 (GMT)

Why on Earth do we still have thwe constant sabre-rattling whenever someone tried to shake a deeply help belief... I have read all of the 'Dark Materials' books and can see past the casting of 'The Magisterium' as the Catholic Church gone mad... The books are an attack on Dogma, not on faith... And it's just this kind of knee-jerk reaction that the faithless point at and go on to label us religious nuts... Our faith cannot be shaken by a work of fiction can they? How can a childrens story hope to expunge over 2,000 years of teaching from your soul? Did Dan Brown subvert the whole Christian world with his fiction? No... It would be impossible.. you're playing right into their hands acting like this.. Why not let people read these books and watch these films and allow the debate to be generated? Why tell people what media they can and cannot experience? It sickens me that you think people's faith is so fragile that it can be washed away so easily..

Rob Grimes, Derby, England

Added: Thursday, November 8, 2007, 21:16 (GMT)

I challenge Philip Pullman to attempt to produce a film and write a few books about Allah (God as He is referred to by Islam) then let's see how the Muslims react. Only a FOOL says in his heart that there is no God Pullman - you have shown yourself to be a FOOL.

Peter J Storm, Enfield

Added: Friday, October 26, 2007, 13:38 (BST)

I don't think we need to call a ban or boycott on this movie. A better way to handle this, I believe is to teach our children how to hold secular and christian movies up to the truth in the Bible. So that we do not live in fear of things that are against what we believe but learn how to hold it up to the light and realize what is truth and what is not. As an actress myself, I hold the right to express what we believe as very important even if someone elses belifes conflict with my own. I long to understand why Philip Pullman hates christainity and the catholic church so much and to show him the love of Christ in a way he might not have seen before. What is it saying to him if we totally boycott his art and choose not to even try to understand. I myself am going to see the movie so I can better undertstand a fellow artist and so I am equipt to help children to ask the right questions and hold the movie up to the light and see while it may be a fun movie it is not what you want to base your life on. The Bible is the only authority and foundation of beliefs I want to build my life on.

Jessa Thomas, Fl, USA

Added: Tuesday, October 23, 2007, 15:19 (BST)

why has there not been a call to ban the golden compas? I make a habit of reading books before recomending them to my nephew, and was shocked by this trilogy. the last book tells children eve was a hero for choosing the apple and the kids team up with the rebel angels to kill God! This is a book our schools are recomending kids read, and we are wasting time trying to ban harry potter because there is magic in it when the golden compas trilogy promotes santanism!

carlos, USA

Added: Monday, October 22, 2007, 23:03 (BST)

Philip Pullman, like any atheist, likes to twist his words around to make it look like he is the "victim" when Catholics speek out against their rhetorical lies. As far as Nicole Kidmann is concerned, she needs to realize that being brought up Catholic does not mean you are Catholic. I don't believe she is being honest with this film. After all, she is part of Hollywood and we all know how they judge the Catholic church.

Rebecca, Mpls., MN

Added: Monday, October 15, 2007, 14:57 (BST)

how are they going to handle the third book? The Golden Compass is tame. The Amber Spyglass is the real issue. Sounds like Nicole Kidman should have actually read the books.

Abby, USA

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