The upcoming release of The Golden Compass movie has upset lots of people because (I’m told) that God dies in the film. I have no idea if this is true or not - I’ve yet to read the book (I know, I know) and certainly haven’t seen the movie. In any case, Barnes and Noble has a nice video of Phillip Pullman sharing details of how the book and movie came about. I found it interesting.
Kris said,
I had this conversation with a family I know about the Harry Potter books. How do you KNOW it’s bad if you haven’t read it? The conversation was rational and actually led to some members of the family reading the entire series - and enjoying it!
Shelly said,
In college, a classmate was very uptight about that movie about Jesus … what was the name of it? Came out in 1988, 1989 … anyway, she went with the class to see it and came back saying it was the best movie she ever saw. Is The Golden Compass the one with Nicole Kidman? I read that the author is an atheist and that’s where all the uproar is coming from. Heaven forbid, differing opinions put out there to the world at large …
Becky said,
I HAVE read all three books in the series. I am not Catholic but was appalled at the demonization of the Catholic church in these books. If nothing else convinces you that these books are an attempt to convince children there is no God this should: In book 3 one of the “good” characters states, “The Christian religion is a very powerful and convincing mistake, that’s all.” I think the thing that really bothers me is that these books are marketed as children’s books and I will tell you that I would not let any child of mine under the age of 17 or so read them.
Becky said,
Not the same Becky as above, by the way…
My kids and I haven’t read the books (my eldest is only 10 and I can’t even get my boys interested in young Master Potter), but I’m considering reading at least the first one so that I can better appreciate “The Science of His Dark Materials” by Mary and John Gribbin, which I’ve heard about and find intriguing.
Becky said,
Just double-checked and the proper title is “The Science of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials”.
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COD said,
November 7, 2007 @ 6:58 am
I think that actually happens in book 3. The movie is based on book 1. I’ve only read book 1, and as I understand it, the God that dies really isn’t God. However people boycotting a movie they haven’t seen based on a book they haven’t read generally aren’t known for being rational.