ROTTEN TOMATOES: Golden Compass Author Doesn't Care for Narnia, Lord of the Rings

Golden Compass Author Doesn't Care for Narnia, Lord of the Rings

James Dobson most likely not amused.

by Jeff Giles | November 05, 2007

It won't reach theaters until December 7, but The Golden Compass -- which adapts the first installment in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy -- already has some people up in arms, and the author doesn't seem to mind one bit.

Of course, Pullman is no stranger to controversy; his books have long been targeted as anti-Catholic by various media watchdog groups, and even though Compass director Chris Weitz took pains to whitewash the story's more overtly religious themes for the film, that hasn't prevented boycott threats from the Catholic league.

Pullman made an appearance in New York last week, and MTV Movies was on hand to get his answers to questions about His Dark Materials and The Golden Compass. He didn't pull any punches in his responses:

Pullman [described] how he finds the "Lord of the Rings" books trivial in their lack of asking big questions and doesn't find C.S. Lewis' answers to the big questions in the "Narnia" books satisfying.

Daring to express a public opinion about Tolkien and/or C.S. Lewis' books, Philip Pullman? Oh, you know it's on! Cue the hysterical reactions!

Source: MTV Movies

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(1-20 of 141 posts) | Reply

Heath Huxall writes:
on Nov 05 2007 06:58 AM

'The Golden Compass' looks great. However, I don't really like Phillip Pullman.

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0LDB0Y writes:
on Nov 05 2007 07:15 AM

Who isn't anti-Catholic?

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Orangecinema writes:
on Nov 05 2007 07:27 AM

ok, here's my @&!#!\ hysteria: everyone's entitled to their own blah blah blah, who cares...

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thereign writes:
on Nov 05 2007 07:33 AM

Pullman's just bitter because LOTR & Narnia are more well-known than his book. Big damn deal.

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Gimy writes:
on Nov 05 2007 07:36 AM

can't wait till this comes out and i get the "REAL STORY" from jesus freaks protesting at the theaters. loved it during Da Vinci. i've already gotten the "don't go see golden compass...its about killing our god!" bs email. think i'll go out, buy a new jersey devils customized jersey with Jesus on the back, #69...and protest the protestors...

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giertson writes:
on Nov 05 2007 07:38 AM

Well, then I guess nearly all books are trivial and most authors not daring enough.

Course there are plenty of better wordsmiths than Pullman, JRR and CS included.

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Daniel Aaron writes:
on Nov 05 2007 07:46 AM

the man himself said he set out to undermine christianity and i find it funny for someone who hates tolkien and Lewis to borrow so heavelly from both just proves who he is and what he is about the books have blatant slams on christianity even for a supposed "fantasy adventure"
Here is a quote from Phillip Pullman , He told the washington post for a piece published in Feb 2001 "I am trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief".
That being said is fine good luck trying friend you cant. There is more....
Consider this oft-quoted line from Ruta Skadi, an important character and witch in the trilogy. She says that the Church throughout all history has tried to control every natural impulse, then adds, "That%u2019s what the church does, and every church is the same: control, destroy, obliterate every good feeling."

Another character, Mary Malone, a scientist who used to be a nun, declares that Christianity is a "very powerful and convincing mistake, that%u2019s all."

That being said if you agree with him fine but Narnia and or Middle Earth never set out to slam anyone but to expand upon Christian virtue (notice Gandalph never wanted to touch the ring of power out of fear knowing mans heart is weak and will fail and give in to it's temptation) and that was it.
This Kook is cannot hide his bitterness and lets it shine on the page and i get's passed of as a "story for the whole family"
Anyway if there is anyone in here who does not hate God and does Love the Lord and his virtue i suggest staying away from this one or coming out angry and if you have kids dont let this pied piper get in their ears with this blatant Narnia rip off with a hate filled twist. File it under Anathema and take them to see the bee movie again or somthing...

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insanemansam5 writes:
on Nov 05 2007 08:21 AM

hmmm...another loud of mouth trying to strum up controversy and of course looks like the public is falling for it hook, line, and sinker go figure

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clamman27 writes:
on Nov 05 2007 08:28 AM

There's an interesting article on this in Entertainment Weekly.

The Catholic/Christian groups want to boycott anything that exposes kids to non-Catholic/Christian ideas. Nice way to prepare them for the world. In their eyes the worst thing a kid can do is convert or become... an atheist!

Rather than talking to their kids about the different beliefs and different kinds of people in the world, they preach that they are the only ones to be saved and everyone else is damned and wrong. It's completely crazy.

Boycott the movie. Who cares? The media fuels these stupid stories. it's a free country and if you don't want to see it, don't. Why is that news?

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Gimy writes:
on Nov 05 2007 08:28 AM

insanem...isn't that what religious people do EVERYDAY? isn't that why you guys pray to windows with smears on them, claiming its the virgin mary. or gathering around a p2ss stain under a bridge and swearing its the second coming of christ cuz it LOOKS like a dude?

undermining a religion is easier than predicting britney's next car accident. its all about believing something thats not there simply to make yourself feel better about your insignificant life. everybody had to deal with the "go see narnia, its about christ!"...now you guys can deal with this media frenzy. get over it

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MadmanCody writes:
on Nov 05 2007 08:28 AM

so...how does his books show that he's a better writer? because he took the same basic themes and twisted them? thats not creativity. btw Christians and Catholics shouldn't have computers, it makes them too annoying, nobody else cars if a film is blasphemous, but you guys should be happy, because this article says the shaky themes have been totally edited out, which makes this film seem completely bull****.

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MadmanCody writes:
on Nov 05 2007 08:29 AM

so...how does his books show that he's a better writer? because he took the same basic themes and twisted them? thats not creativity. btw Christians and Catholics shouldn't have computers, it makes them too annoying, nobody else cars if a film is blasphemous, but you guys should be happy because this article says the shaky themes have been totally edited out, which makes this film seem like a complete waste of time.

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pearcaravel writes:
on Nov 05 2007 08:38 AM

I don't think it's fair to criticize FANTASY for not being INVOLVED ENOUGH IN THE REAL WORLD. Some people enjoy the detachment. I wonder what he thinks of Frank Herbert?

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witherwings writes:
on Nov 05 2007 08:40 AM

Pullman ain't that good of a writer. But whatever. The story was okay. Who cares that the third book was preachy beyond all effectiveness (sort of random in its preachiness). Let them make a movie.

How many kids were converted by Chronicles of Narnia? 0
How many kids will turn atheists by His Dark Materials? 0

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crudebob writes:
on Nov 05 2007 09:01 AM

I didn't think much of the book and judging by the early word on the movie version of The Golden Compass it's going to be a major box office bomb. It would be wise for the studio to put a muzzle on Pullman because The Golden Compass is going to need as many generous LOTR's and Narnia fans as they can get if that have any chance of saving this Christmas turkey.

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Elixor writes:
on Nov 05 2007 09:12 AM

Sounds like he doesn't like LoTR and Narnia, because they aren't preachy enough. Well good. They're fantasy books. They don't have to be preachy. They could be, but it would probably ruin their entertainment value (at least for me). I haven't read Pullman's books. I'll see the movie and then decide if I think they'll be worth my time.

I'm with Witherwings. There's no conversions happening with these materials, if there is, these people will be converted by the next religion they come across anyways.

I'm only interested in this movie and it's source material if it's creative and entertaining.

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Rockslide writes:
on Nov 05 2007 09:17 AM

I don't understand why everyone assumes all Christians are the same zealous stereotypical crazies. I'm sure that everyone of you who's bashed an entire religion of over 2 billion worldwide know many Christians who aren't crazy. And again on that, I am not Catholic, but I know many Catholics and they are not all crazy either. They do not all form some picket line and burn down movie theaters. Don't define so many with the acts of so few.

That being said, I agree that Pullman isn't that great of a writer. Golden Compass was good but then he got totally preachy and bitter. He sounds more like a one time believer who's dog died and God didn't save, so he went all angry tantrum child and wrote a hate letter. If you read the full trilogy it really seems like he himself believes in God but is overly angry at Him, like a teenager who rebels against a caring parent.

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TheGreatOne13 writes:
on Nov 05 2007 09:22 AM

Damn I dont wanna bash the Catholic religion or its supporters...but Im getting really tired of these damn protests of films that are made for entertainment...who cares seriously?

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Racer Z writes:
on Nov 05 2007 09:29 AM

I find it pretty classless to publicly criticize another author's work to which his will inevitably be compared. Besides, what "big questions" did LOTR need to answer? I get sick of all these self-righteous, liberal *******s preaching to me all the time. Why does every story have to have some deep political or social statement? Can't we just have a great story?

What a prick. I was looking forward to these films, but I'm having serious second thoughts now. And NO, I'm not Catholic, so I could care less about the religious implications.

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Bane Of Anubis writes:
on Nov 05 2007 09:31 AM

I've only gotten through the 1st book and as far as writing goes, Pullman is fairly adept (good, concise description, well-paced, diverse characterization -- horrible beginning to the 1st book, though). It's too bad that he gets preachier (started heavily toward the end of book 1 and from what everyone says, only ramps up). As Elixor said, the books won't convert anyone not already easily swayed (though, in fairness, children are frequently more pliable -- not always a bad thing). Preachy books tend to make people think less than subtler ones b/c either you're preachin' to the choir or you're alienating people with your overt disregard of their beliefs.

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