I read the trilogy by Philip Pullman about six years ago. I thought it was a nice, hard-nosed relief from the usual run of hobbit/elf/noble-warrior type of fantasy fiction that I gave up on when I was 17. Following the Lord of the Rings trilogy I am not surprised there has been an effort to present these books on film. However, I wasn't quite prepared for the furore from religious groups on the grounds of it's alleged atheistic content.
While it is true that Philip Pullman has been elected to the council of the Humanist Society, the film displays no more anti-religious themes than any other fantasy adventure movie you care to name, Chronicles of Narnia included.
Am I missing a trick here or is it simply another example of knee-jerk reaction from uninformed moralistic watchdogs?
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"What may seem depressing or even tragic to one person may seem like an absolute scream to another person, especially if he has had between four and seven beers."
Dave Barry
Please keep the "Labelling" to a minimum in this forum.
In regards to the public outcry at the source content for the film, i feel some sympathy for those who are concerned with its message.
What i've heard from all the professionals, is that Hollywood has done an excellent job of separating the movie storyline from the anti-catholic content of the books. I've read a snopes and truthorfiction.com review of the entire situation, having not seen the movie or read the book, both articles came down both for the movie and for the concerned parties.
I think at issue is the idea that children will see the movie, be interested in the books and read the books, which (as per my limited research) do contain a liberal amount of anti-catholic, anti-church ranting. From outright referring to the evil side as the Catholic Church (source: Golden Compass Wiki), to the content of future books being even more heavily written with an anti-church and anti-God undertone. I think the message is there in the books, given what is in print from Mr. Pullman about his own beliefs, and that future novels will attempt to actually "kill God." No official information is available about a possible fourth and fifth novel, Pullman's work of His Dark Materials remains a work of three. I think even the title of the arcing storyline shows Mr. Pullman's bias.
So with that said, i have not passed judgement on the movie, but i respect those pundits out there attempting to inform their audience members, who may think that they are going to see an innocent children's film. While the film itself may be innocent, i won't repeat my original concerns about the source work. The more you know... (ding ding ding...)
Also, no, i don't think Harry Potter promotes witchcraft and wizardry or is of the devil.
