The Golden Compass. Further religious hypocrisy

**Siиdяed** · 11-25-2007 01:01 PM

Lucid, films can have symbolism, or deeper meanings or be giant allegories for other messages. It depends how we interpret them. A shorter version would be a poem. Trees by Philip Larkin could be considered to be a simple poem about trees, or it could be about humanity's underlying fear of death (something Larkin struggled with). You see? Films are the same, the needn't be quite as simple as they appear. It's nice to enjoy a film for entertainment values, but every so often I like to see a film that demands a little thought as to underlying meaning.

Alright Xaq, I can see your point. This is how I should have responded:

Originally Posted by Xaqaria

Well, since the movie isn't out yet; I haven't seen it, but I can't imagine how Armored talking bears battling each other could have much to do with religion one way or the other.

Well, Xaq, without having seen the film yet either, I can't really comment. But having read the book on which it is based on (Northern Lights, or Golden Compass in the US) which is part of the his Dark Materials series, I can give you a reasonably reliable answer (provided they don't make massive changes to the original, which I honestly doubt they will).
The armoured bears are just part of the world in which Lyra exists in. It is a fantasy novel (more so in the first book than the others, though we see the connections later), though (to quote Wikipedia):

As the trilogy progresses, it acquires allegorical layers of meaning, introducing a broad range of ideas from fields such as physics (quantum physics), philosophy (metaphysics, philosophy of religion and, arguably, a degree of hylopathism), and theology (biblical symbolism).

I'm sorry you haven't read the books yet, and would seriously recommend them, and hope you will enjoy the film as much as I do, you sweet little man.

...God, I'm a dick.

**Xaqaria** · 11-26-2007 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by Siиdяed

Lucid, films can have symbolism, or deeper meanings or be giant allegories for other messages. It depends how we interpret them. A shorter version would be a poem. Trees by Philip Larkin could be considered to be a simple poem about trees, or it could be about humanity's underlying fear of death (something Larkin struggled with). You see? Films are the same, the needn't be quite as simple as they appear. It's nice to enjoy a film for entertainment values, but every so often I like to see a film that demands a little thought as to underlying meaning.

Alright Xaq, I can see your point. This is how I should have responded:

Well, Xaq, without having seen the film yet either, I can't really comment. But having read the book on which it is based on (Northern Lights, or Golden Compass in the US) which is part of the his Dark Materials series, I can give you a reasonably reliable answer (provided they don't make massive changes to the original, which I honestly doubt they will).
The armoured bears are just part of the world in which Lyra exists in. It is a fantasy novel (more so in the first book than the others, though we see the connections later), though (to quote Wikipedia):

I'm sorry you haven't read the books yet, and would seriously recommend them, and hope you will enjoy the film as much as I do, you sweet little man.

...God, I'm a dick.

I'd have to disagree. The problem with movies is that they cost a lot more than books do to produce. This means that in order to make a movie, you have to be sure that a much larger percentage of the population is going to want to see it than you would have to worry about with a book. Because of this, movies cannot blatantly push a message that is going to alienate a large demographic like religious people (which currently makes up about 86% of the United States).

I would not be surprised if having not read the books, I was unable to identify any clear symbolism for or against religion after watching the film. Most likely it will simply be a story about a little girl, an esoteric compass, and some burly armored bears fighting each other.

**Siиdяed** · 11-26-2007 07:43 PM

Unfortunately, Xaq's probably right.

Which is sad. That Pullman allowed them to make it under the US title instead of the original was a bad omen from day one.

Though I believe the Church will be in it, if not in this film then in the two following (provided they attain the rights

) as it's a fairly inescapable part to the story. Asriel's attack on the Kingdom of Heaven (and the founding of his Republic of Heaven), when we see God, Metatron, all the angels, etc.

**cuddleyperson** · 11-26-2007 10:27 PM

.... ITS NOT A COMPASS!!!

It's an aletheometer!!!

Argh why, why was this done!!!

And i much prefer the book covers if the UK version to...

UK:

USA( and other countries i believe)( I DESPISE THAT FIRST NON UK COVER!, thats not Iorek that's a wussy bear!!):

**Siиdяed** · 11-26-2007 10:46 PM

The Golden Compass refered to in the US title is not the alethiometer, it was originally to be the series name and refered to the drawing instrument of the same name.

Why I have no idea.

American publishers simply thought it would be more simple for the American readers, in the same way that Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone became Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
I don't know how to feel about this, to be honest.

**cuddleyperson** · 11-26-2007 10:49 PM

^^

but Sin isn't it called the Golden Compass or at least Compass throughout the movie? From the trailer did he not say " it's a golden compass" to which i assume she replies " Are you fucking blind mate, wheres North on this thing, i see an eagle, a skeleton, a heart and a load of other random crap."

**Siиdяed** · 11-26-2007 10:55 PM

I expect in the movie they'll refer to it as a golden compass, yeah.

Curse you Americans, changing all our words with your big Hollywood dollars.

**thegnome54** · 11-27-2007 02:54 AM

Originally Posted by cuddleyperson

^^

but Sin isn't it called the Golden Compass or at least Compass throughout the movie? From the trailer did he not say " it's a golden compass" to which i assume she replies " Are you fucking blind mate, wheres North on this thing, i see an eagle, a skeleton, a heart and a load of other random crap."

No, the trailer I saw said "It's an alethiometer! It tells the truth."

Personally, one thing I was worried about was that they would 'pretty up' Lyra for the movie - in the books, I feel like you aren't supposed to particularly like her at first - she is crude and childish. Her development into a character you are forced to love is one of the key parts of the book, for me.

Happily enough, the trailers seem to reveal that she is indeed crude and childish at the beginning, and has her accent nailed perfectly too

**Carôusoul** · 11-27-2007 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by cuddleyperson

.... ITS NOT A COMPASS!!!

It's an aletheometer!!!

Argh why, why was this done!!!

And i much prefer the book covers if the UK version to...

UK:

USA( and other countries i believe)( I DESPISE THAT FIRST NON UK COVER!, thats not Iorek that's a wussy bear!!):

Wow. You're right; the US cover has a pussy bear on

**cuddleyperson** · 11-27-2007 10:45 PM

yeah it might have been better if it was produced in Britain by British people. After all it's a British Author and it's set mainly in Britain( bar the traveling, but i mean London is in a large part of all three books).

Ah well, since it comes out on the 5th. I'll probably watch it sat/sun 8th or 9th or the weekend after.