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

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

by Jeff Giles | November 05, 2007

Summary

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. Back to Article

(61-80 of 141 posts) | Reply

highdough writes:
on Nov 05 2007 04:50 PM

vaodsi,

Live and let live is nice (something a lot of so-called Christians need to do a little more of), but if you see something you feel you should speak out against, then more power to you. Pullman's biggest problems, from what I gather, is not with Christianity, but with the strict dogmatic approach the Catholic Church uses in it's approach to Christianity, which Pullman feels is actually harmful, especially to children. I mean, what the Catholic Church has done with AIDS in Africa is truly repulsive. The Catholic Church certainly deserves quite a bit of the criticism they get.

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gbeenie writes:
on Nov 05 2007 05:27 PM

With very few exceptions, anything the Catholic League is against is almost certainly good for the human race.

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TheBoyWhoLived writes:
on Nov 05 2007 05:31 PM

Pullman is a genius, he has the right to his opinions, and frankly I agree with them. However I am very dissapointed that he has supported the watering down of the film.

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TheBoyWhoLived writes:
on Nov 05 2007 05:33 PM

Pullman is a genius, he has the right to his opinions, and frankly I agree with them. However I am very dissapointed that he has supported the watering down of the film.

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Slipperypick writes:
on Nov 05 2007 07:56 PM

In reply to this comment (#1252542)
Dude... What did Philip Pullman rip off from Narnia?
As someone who has read Narnia and LotR numerous times, my recent discovery of the Dark Materials trilogy shows me absolutely nothing in common, with the exception of talking animals... Which in itself is far from original for anything written in the last few centuries.
Philip Pullman's series is entirely unlike anything I've read, Tolkien and Lewis especially. Nothing in common there.
It irks me that Pullman is as arrogant as he is, though. His books are not, in this parent's opinion, suitable for the average tween, and Tolkien's genius cannot be understated. There is simply no better fantasy writer, and I have sincere doubts that anyone will ever match him.

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the_weasel writes:
on Nov 05 2007 08:17 PM

Pullman hit the nail on the head,

"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."

Funny that those that don't believe always seem to have one thing in common - they are not satisfied. Most likely never will be either. And that's really sad.

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highdough writes:
on Nov 05 2007 08:43 PM

the_weasel,

Way to twist a quote around. I don't believe and I am extremely satisfied. I find it funny that you seem to need to attack ALL atheists simply because one doesn't particularly like your religion.

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Ciaranmv writes:
on Nov 06 2007 12:16 AM

Sounds like a downright boring author to me! What does he mean "LOTR doesn't ask big questions"? It's like he never even read the book. Tolkien invented the modern fantasy, as did C.S. Lewis. Give credit where it's due! It's like some modern sci-fi director saying that the first "Star Wars" was boring and uninventive. wtf?

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MMacKK writes:
on Nov 06 2007 02:55 AM

NORTHERN LIGHTS as it is known, is a fantastic book. Far more enjoyable than LOTR or Narnia.

As a movie, time will tell. But I think Jackson might have outdone Weitz.

The thing I don't get it is the overreaction by the Catholics. I mean, I don't get brainwashed by the religious crap in movies, why would the religious? If you're strong enough in your beliefs, there's no need to worry.

Btw, Save Scrubs! http://usydedu.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6206727682

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Thundaar writes:
on Nov 06 2007 03:27 AM

Who is Phillip Pullman? Oh, he wrote something somewhere that some people are talking about. His comments about LOTR or Narnia is like Eli Roth discussing Hitchcock.

Interesting how Pullman dumps on those books while those authors (and others) cleared the way so his silly books could read and profitable. I hope the movie tanks.

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Temujin writes:
on Nov 06 2007 04:53 AM

LOL @ "anything the Catholic League is against is almost certainly good for the human race." They do give that impression, don't they? Who taught the Catholics how to disagree with things?

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dao_yu writes:
on Nov 06 2007 07:23 AM

There'a a great saying of Tolkien's, something about the difference between allegory & applicability. Allegory has the writer's intent, philosophy, and opinion littered throughout his work with the express purpose of having the reader interpret the story as the writer does (think South Park). Applicability masks the writer's beliefs & opinions, and presents material that can be interpreted by the reader to mean anything based on the reader's own experiences. Tolkien hated allegory, and strove to keep it out of his books as much as possible. (yeah, despite the Silmarillion's whole Illuvatar/Melkor as God/Satan thing.) I had read LOTR a few times, but didn't even know Tolkien was christian until I started doing research on him. You shouldn't be able to tell who the writer is as a person from his work. If he's a good writer, that is.

LOL, christians & catholics protesting always reminds me of Morel Orel.
"Outlaw all the eggs that come from between the legs!"
Everyone else should give up on the christ bashing, Dino Stamatopolous has it covered.

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dao_yu writes:
on Nov 06 2007 07:28 AM

In reply to this comment (#1256211)
LMFAO, I'm sure the Catholic league would've supported the heresy trials of Gallileo.
What a benefit for humanity....

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highdough writes:
on Nov 06 2007 10:03 AM

I don't know what people are more offended by, Pullman insulting Lewis and Tolkien or his stance against Catholicism. You know what? Not every likes Tolkien's writing. Some of you have to deal with that. Same goes for Lewis. You people take it WAAAAAY to personally.

Pullman is a very successful author who has written a very popular series of books. His opinion of other authors or their books doesn't change this fact.

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BrianInSD writes:
on Nov 06 2007 10:13 AM

In reply to this comment (#1258719)
I don't know: I fear that, after Pullman's books cause the downfall of the Catholic Church, his opinions will cause all of Tolkien and Lewis's works to be taken out of print, all existing copies rounded up and systematically destroyed and all copies of the movies based on each series will be taken out of circulation and the original negatives will be burned. Because his opinions are just that powerful.

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jaqu7 writes:
on Nov 06 2007 10:28 AM

BrianInSD

I appreciate the quality sarcasm. Perhaps people are overreacting, but for the most part, I don't think so. Opinions and beliefs ARE powerful. Sure, Pullman's books aren't going to cause the end of the world or anything, but clearly his books are making an impact on some level. At the very least, they are fuel for debate, (one which I would welcome, for the record). I support anything that encourages deeper, meaningful discussion.

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phloide writes:
on Nov 06 2007 10:31 AM

any artist will infuse their belief system into their work, regaurdless if they are Christian (JRR, CS), Atheist (This guy), New Agy/buddist (What the Bleep...), antagonistic (Eminem / Marilyn Manson), Scietologist (L. Ron, etc). It is stupid to think otherwise. I may be a Christian, but I don't expect Elton John or Ozzy Osborne to sing Jesus Loves Me (unless they believes they is a Christian) or to support the religious right (though they has the perfect right to do so). I watch movies (listen to music, etc) on their merit as art. If I hear something I agree with on a philosophical value, then that is fine, If I disagree, then I can afirm to myself why, or maybe even question my on value. Religion, though it may offend, will not affect the true artistic value of a good film, nor will it save a bad one.

There are people who will always "hate" things based on values that are irrelevant, just like someone will use my bad spelling and grammer to break down my arguements, even though the grammer has nothing to do with the merit value of the arguement.

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the_weasel writes:
on Nov 06 2007 10:32 AM

In reply to this comment (#1257004)
Not twisting anything. Just calling it as I see it. As for your satisfaction, well, I'm not here to argue about that. What I have seen though is that many people will say they are satisfied but when it really comes down to it, that's not the case. But only you can know that about yourself. Good luck though.

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BrianInSD writes:
on Nov 06 2007 12:19 PM

In reply to this comment (#1258777)
jaqu7-- You make an excellent point and I too would welcome intelligent debate about these issues. Hopefully, there will one day be a forum where such a discussion is actually allowed to occur. Methinks the RT message board isn't the place, however.

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highdough writes:
on Nov 06 2007 12:47 PM

the_weasel,

Pullman said he was not satisfied with what he read in the Narnia books. It has nothing to do with his satisfaction in life. Obviously you are twisting his words.

And I've met few non-believers who have any need for religion. They are quite satisfied.

(Reply to this)

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