GOLDEN COMPASS REVIEW

There’s been a lot of discussion in the media about whether the new film of Pullman’s THE GOLDEN COMPASS is anti-Christian. What no one seems to have mentioned yet is how heathen it feels.

Some Christian groups are up in arms because the villains in the piece belong to the hierarchy of the “Magisterium”. In the film their faith is not mentioned, although the book makes clear that this is a rather odd evolutionary development of the Catholic Church. But really, the Catholics shouldn’t be upset, as in Pullman’s version, the Church did away with the Pope some time ago. The Protestants shouldn’t be upset, as this kind of oppressive hierarchy is exactly what that good German revolutionary Martin Luther was fighting. In fact no Christian who truly follows the guy who got a reputation as a rabble-rouser for criticizing the Pharisees should have any problem with this film at all.

Nor do I think those who objected to the deletion of religious elements should complain. Any film that attempts to convey an entire novel has to simplify and select. In my opinion, this version did a pretty good job of retaining the essence of each episode, although, as usual in an adaptation, some of the complexity of character and plot development was lost. The deletion of all kinds of elements was pretty even-handed, and in any case, though we don’t get much detail, the moral and religious conflict is clear.

And there are many reasons why pagans in general and heathens in particular should like the film. For one thing, the basic conflict is between people who believe that some people have the right to impose their views on what’s best for humanity on the rest of us, and those who believe in the sanctity of free will.

Much of the story takes place in the far north. Heathens will particularly enjoy the Armored Bears (the Panzerbjörne in the book, whose original title was NORTHERN LIGHTS). Like vikings in white bear suits, they follow the old heathen virtues. The witches swoop through the air like valkyries. Even the daemons, external souls in animal form, bear a strong resemblance to the fetch as recorded in Scandinavian folklore.

THE GOLDEN COMPASS would be worth seeing for the cast and the spectacle alone. The technology for creating wholly believable landscapes, animals and other creatures has clearly arrived. Showing us new and exotic scenes is what cinema does best. If only the new BEOWULF had been filmed with this technology instead of World of Warcraft style CGI, it would have been a great film. COMPASS also has a world-class cast, including Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Derek Jacobi and (briefly) Christopher Lee. Ian McKellen’s voice animates Iorek Byrnison the Bear.

All-hail the Panzerbjörne!