Golden Compass Stirring up a controversy. Major Spoilers!!!!!

[space_invader64]

I posted something on the forums earlier and a member pointed out that there was a major spoiler in the post and suggested I remove it and give a spoiler warning if I repost it.  I started not to even post anything it but I’m thinking it’s unavoidable that everyone is going to hear about this.  I just saw it on the local news.

There is a boycott brewing upon the release of the film.  It is alleged that the book has antireligious themes. The author of the books, Phillip Pullman claims to be an atheist. In the third book, it is alleged that the boy and the girl kill God.  I have not read the book or seen the movie so I will withhold judgment for more information.

This was printed on the Coshonton Tribune’s website:

“It is being released as a so-called children's movie. Along with the movie comes a trilogy of so-called children's books titled, "This Dark Series." In the movie and series the reviews say the children draw power from demons. God is characterized as a whiny bully, and at the end of the series the children are freed when they kill God.”

Me personally, I am not a supporter of banning things.  I think everything should be available because someone out there likes it.  I just want the information out there so the public can make informed decisions about what they want to see, or take the family to. 

[Trekkygeek]

I remember "The chronicles of Narnia" causing contoversy, but they are just films. The really controversial thing is that Hollywood have not gone with the original title of "The Northern Lights"  ;D

[Darth Gaos]

What I get from everything I have read is that the series is not anti-Christian or anti-faith....it is more anti-religious, or more specifically anti-estalished/dogmatic religion.  I dunno, my faith is not going to be shaken by watching a few movies that may not view the world as I do.  Much ado about nothing.  I don't like or disagree with alot of things but unless there are some extreme circumstances I would never come down on the side of banning/censorship/discrimination.  Let it play, the market will bear out it's popularity.

[KingIsaacLinksr]

I remember "The chronicles of Narnia" causing contoversy, but they are just films. The really controversial thing is that Hollywood have not gone with the original title of "The Northern Lights"  ;D

How did Chronicles of Narnia cause controversy?  oh wait....Christian references...but I can't see why that would be an issue.  But then again...maybe I shouldn't be suprised. 

What I get from everything I have read is that the series is not anti-Christian or anti-faith....it is more anti-religious, or more specifically anti-estalished/dogmatic religion.  I dunno, my faith is not going to be shaken by watching a few movies that may not view the world as I do.  Much ado about nothing.  I don't like or disagree with alot of things but unless there are some extreme circumstances I would never come down on the side of banning/censorship/discrimination.  Let it play, the market will bear out it's popularity.

In my opinion, it shouldn't be much of an issue.  You don't have to watch the movie.  Its not like someone is forcing you to watch the movie.  I say let them do it.

King Linksr

[Jen]

Regarding The Golden Compass, I have heard the grumbling as well. Harry Potter received the same criticisms. I personally can't make a judgment until I watch or read the series. If I find it offensive I can stop reading or leave the theater. I've done both of those things on several occasions.

[Rico]

I finished this book a week or 2 ago and people really need to relax about this one.  There is very little religious aspect to it in my view and I'm certain the movie will dilute even that down further.  It just a fun fantasy tale similar to Narnia in a way and people should just enjoy it for that.  It's a work of fiction.  I really find it amusing how people get worked up about a made up story.

[Darth Gaos]

I have not read the stories but may have to now.  Rico, is God or a god mentioned specifically or is it much more a metaphor/symbolism type thing?  Another reason I want ot read them is I have read/heard that the so-called "message" gets....."stronger" I guess with each book.  I just wanna check it out for myself because I wouldn't want to come across as passing any sort of judgement without actually reading it.  Hate it when people do that...**cough**politicians**cough** etc.

[Geekyfanboy]

I just read an article where they said they took out the who anti religion for the movie. There is no mention of it in the movie. The also cut out the last three chapters of the book because they wanted to have the "Happy" Hollywood ending. I'm kind of glad they did.. otherwise it would have been a very depressing ending.

[Jen]

Good to know. Is the author still alive? If so, I bet he wasn't happy with the changes. Thanks for the info guys. :)

[wraith1701]

If someone finds the film or book offensive, fine; they can avoid seeing/reading it.  If they want to stop their kids from being exposed to it, fine.  But when they try to dictate whether or not the general public can watch a film or read a book, I can't help but get a little angry.  I mean, this is America, right?  Last time I checked, the Bill of Rights was still in effect (despite the efforts of some political leaders). :mad2:

Sorry; I'll be quiet now. :blush

[Geekyfanboy]

I mean, this is America, right?  Last time I checked, the Bill of Rights was still in effect (despite the efforts of some political leaders). :mad2:

Well this is more of religious leaders as opposed to political leaders.

Here's the article that I read.

"Compass" under fire over religious content

By Mike Collett-White Wed Nov 28, 8:39 AM ET

LONDON (Reuters) - The Church is a central theme of Philip Pullman's acclaimed novel "Northern Lights," but there is no mention of it in a new blockbuster Hollywood adaptation.

"The Golden Compass," a $180 million picture released on December 7, is caught between a U.S. Catholic group that has called for a boycott of what it sees as an attack on religion and Pullman purists who do not want the original watered down.

The U.S.-based Catholic League urged Christians not to see the movie, fearing even a diluted version of the book might draw people to read the bestselling "His Dark Materials" trilogy.

Calling Pullman "a noted English atheist," the group said on its Web site: "It is his objective to bash Christianity and promote atheism. To kids.

"Though the movie promises to be fairly non-controversial, it may very well act as an inducement to buy Pullman's trilogy, 'His Dark Materials'."

In the fantasy world created by Pullman, the Church and its governing body the Magisterium, are linked to cruel experiments on children aimed at discovering the nature of sin and attempts to suppress facts that would undermine the Church's legitimacy and power.

Pullman's main character in the books, a girl named Lyra, battles the dark forces controlled by the Magisterium.

But in the film all references to the Church have been stripped out, with director Chris Weitz keen to avoid offending religious cinema goers.

"To me that was about not being aggressive and offending the individual audience goer who might be religious," he said.

"I don't really believe that when it comes down to it, 'His Dark Materials' is an aggressively anti-religious or anti-Catholic series of books."

Pullman has taken issue with the Catholic League and its president Bill Donohue.

"Oh, it causes me to shake my head with sorrow that such nitwits could be loose in the world," he told Newsweek magazine.

SOME FANS DISAPPOINTED

Early reviews of the movie have been mixed, with several praising Nicole Kidman's performance and the special effects in particular. But fans have expressed disappointment at the decision to tone down the books' religious content.

"The removal of their religious motivations makes the institution (Magisterium) incredibly bland, a mere band of thugs with a domineering power for no apparent reason," said fan site www.bridgetothestars.net in a broadly positive review.

Kidman, a Catholic, said she would not want to be involved in a movie that was anti-religious.

And co-star Daniel Craig, best known as the new James Bond, said he felt the film worked as it was, although he would have welcomed the inclusion of more overt religious content.

"I wish there was, because I think the debate that Philip Pullman raises is incredibly healthy," he told Reuters.

Craig likened the controversy surrounding "The Golden Compass" to Vatican objections to the movie based on Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code." That film went on to become the second highest grossing picture internationally in 2006.

As well as removing references to the church, the Bible and sin, the film leaves out the final three chapters in which our assumptions about two of the main characters are challenged and tragedy befalls one of Lyra's friends.

Weitz said his decision to end the movie earlier in the narrative had been influenced by the need for a more box office-friendly happy ending to establish the foundation for what he hopes will be a film trilogy.

He also expected more controversy to come should the franchise go ahead.

"I still maintain that the people who are attacking these films and the books as kind of atheist recruiting posters are wrong, but life is going to become more difficult with them if and when we go ahead," he said.

[Jen]

I don't think they were trying to stop the film from being shown...they were advising religious people not to see it. I agree with you for the most part... I reserve judgment until I see it for myself.

[Jen]

"Oh, it causes me to shake my head with sorrow that such nitwits could be loose in the world," he told Newsweek magazine.

They don't like that he attacks their religion in his books, and that makes them nitwits? If he has a right to make the movie... they have the right  to protest it and I have the right to decide whether I want to watch it or not. That's just one of many things I like about being an American.

[Blackride]

I don't think they were trying to stop the film from being shown...they were advising religious people not to see it. I agree with you for the most part... I reserve judgment until I see it for myself.

I think thats what they are saying also. I would want to know these things before taking my child to see something like this. There is nothing wrong with that.

[space_invader64]

They said on the news last night that the first book was the tamest of the three and the last was kind of out there.  It might be kind of a stretch that the tamest book would transpose into a movie resembling a sequel book.  I think the biggest fear is that the whole franchise will be shot and released.  I think they said they were working on the second film.

I don't like things I don't agree with to be banned for many reasons.  I find it counter productive because that just raises the intrest level.  My local theater refused to play Michael Moore's movies and it just raised intrest.  I saw people get so fired up a about it they just wanted to see his movie more.  And on top of that I think it's saying I know what is good for my neighbor so for his own good I won't let him see something.

Just like Beowulf has things that parents wouldn't want their small kids to see, it is the job of the parent to make themself aware of what is in it and decide if it is right for their kids.