Today’s Western Mail features additional quotes from Philip Pullman on the renewed controversy this week over the watering-down of His Dark Materials’ religious elements for the first film of the trilogy, The Golden Compass. The author has been a consistent backer of the movie adaptation and told the paper, “This must be the only film attacked in the same week for being too religious and for being anti-religious – and by people who haven’t seen it. All these stories have been generally mischievous and they have all been written without knowledge of what the film is like. As far as I know, these people have not seen the script or shots of the film. Why not wait and see.”
Pullman added, “I’ve been kept informed with what’s going on – I have very friendly and happy relations with the film-makers and I’m very happy with what they are doing. It’s a very complicated special effects film so it’s taking a very long time to get right. The last I heard, they were recording the music with a very big orchestra in London.”
This is the only sensible thing I have heard about this whole unnecessary attack. The Catholics ranting about it probably haven’t read the book and the secular body joining the fray probably haven’t been paying attention to what is being done. HDM is small potatoes in the scheme of things, both bodies should focus on more serious issues i.e. the troubles/problems plaguing the Catholic Church, and the problems turning the world into a war zone for the secular body like trying to meet up with the religious leaders and asking them why they keep picking up fights in God’s name!
Well at least one good thing to come out of all the recent fuss is the apparent increase in awareness of the film in the mainstream press. Which, in the long run, will probably mean a better pox office performance.
I would LOVE to hear a sample of the score!
its always good to hear some words of comfort from him, but cutting the end still is very recent, so, im still sad about all this.
Philip Pullman is happy with the film. If the creator isn’t worried, then all of you shouldn’t be worried either. If anyone complains the film will ruin the HDM story and everything it stands for, then basically you’re saying Philip Pullman is wrong. I dare you to debate it with him. 😉
“All these stories have been generally mischievous”
That’s a cute way of putting it. It’s reassuring to know though that Pullman is such an ardent supporter of the film.
Bless you.
Everyone speaks evil of what they don´t know right.
Pullman´s completly right: watch the adaptation first -after you can speak the eveliest of things.
Is there anybobody who knows a little more about the score?
Like Hardy says, i can’t wait anymore to hear something by Alexandre Desplat. I am very happy to know that they are working in London…
Pullman´s completly right: we don’t have to be worried.
Dear friends;
If someone knows more information about the recording of the music, The Golden Compass score…I will be glad. Thank you all.
To be honest, Pullman has been very excited about absolutely everything that’s been happening with the film. I don’t think he’s had even one negative word to say about it.
You might say this means nothing but good, but to me it means he’s like a little kid about the whole business. Just imagine getting to see your characters on screen! (Also, it can’t be -too- horrible, eh? XD)
I don’t like this changes I think the new line could be more brave and put of the things that have in the book. Because always when change so much never become good. Like Eragon and The dark is rising…
i’m afraid…
(sorry for my english, i speak portuguese)
I can’t wait to hear the score… 🙂
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This film will not change the books! And millions will read them if the film is a success. Yes, it is only a story, but this story paints a pretty good picture of the bad sides of the organised religions, not only the Vatican. It will make people think. If the film helps getting the message out, it is good. Whether it does that by telling it or by selling the books doesn’t matter. No film can change what I feel when I read the books.
Some things work better in books than in films. Look at the Potter films. The books have a lot more depth (and sex jokes), the films have the action.
The trailers for TGC look great! But I don’t expect gay angels drowning killer-priests!
If Pullman seems childishly pleased with the Film, than maybe because he takes it less seriously. There is a level where it is just suspense, adventure and entertainment. I love the fact that Lyra fights the church, but I love her because she is such a great character.
Let’s wait and see what we feel when we see the movie.
Changes in a film adaptation of a book are inevitable, and certainly prefererable to watching a movie that tries to follow the book EXACTLY (for some of the older crowd, the first, animated, Lord of the Rings movie comes to mind.). The best thing you can do is stick to the main idea behind the plot like glue, remember all the most important scenes and hope to god people like it.
I seriously have no problems with New Lime making a few adjustments, so long as it’s in the spirit of good story telling/movie making.
Also, I’m not surprised Pullman backs the movie… He certainly can’t go around commenting how bad the movie is.. it’d be horrible publicity and I’m pretty sure New Line could sue him for that kind of thing.
Unless he’s signed a contract limiting his speech – which seems unlikely given his minimal involvement with the film – then he can say whatever he wants.
I don’t think that Pullman’s unequivocal endorsement of the movie is necessarily a reflection of a childish or naive attitude. The impression that I’ve gotten from Pullman is one of integrity at least in a literary sense. He has put so much work into creating these incredible stories that I don’t think he would devalue them by endorsing poor adaptations. If the movie didn’t meet his standards he would say so or at least he would maintain his silence.
I am not questioning Pullman’s integrity. I get the same feeling that he has high stadards of morality and integrity, it’s just a question of sense. I would hope as much as you do that Pullman would not endorse a poor adaptation of HDM, and certainly I don’t mean to imply that New Line’s adaptation is in anyway below par (how could any of us?). But if YOU where a highly acclaimed author (meaning you have a decently large following) and you know your fans give a lot of weight to your opinion; and one of the larges movie studios in the industry, one specially acclaimed recently for great book to movie adaptations (meaning it’s probable this is going to be just about the best movie adaptation your book is ever going to get).. would YOU critizise the movie much? Wouldn’t you just be happy your book is being made into a movie that might appeal to millions of people? I know I’d protest if they tried to change the idea behind my story, but as for the technical aspects, a few cuts there, add a scene here… well THEY’RE the movie experts, let them do what they feel will make the movie better. As for wether these changes are ‘good’ or ‘bad’, none of us (including Pullman) can be certain of that until we’ve seen the finished product can we?
Hi Everyone, my company (aston experience) supplied a car to one of the main percussionists working on the golden compass score. I was invited to sit in the morning and afternoon sessions at abbey road studios. They were recording the final battle (as it was marked on the score sheets) It is an incredible cue, the theme is lush and powerful. I think its the most lyrical work Desplat has written. During a break Mr Desplat told me he was going for a John Williams sound, from what I heard he has achieved this. I don’t think any of you will be dissapointed. When it comes out let me know what you all think. Regards Adrian J Moore MD http://www.astonexperience.co.uk