The Golden Compass
Short description
In a world where every person's soul lives outside the body as an animal companion called a dæmon, twelve-year-old orphan Lyra Belacqua grows up among the scholars of Jordan College in Oxford. Children have been disappearing across the land, taken by a mysterious group, and the authorities of the Magisterium are tightening their control. When her friend Roger is among those seized, Lyra sets out to find him, a search that carries her from Oxford to London and on toward the frozen North, where she is joined by Gyptians, a polar bear, and witches.
The film adapts the first novel of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, with a screenplay by its director, Chris Weitz. Dakota Blue Richards plays Lyra, with Nicole Kidman as the elegant Mrs. Coulter, Daniel Craig as Lord Asriel, and voice work from Freddie Highmore and Ian McKellen. It was Weitz's third feature, following Down to Earth and About a Boy, and among its producers were Bill Carraro and Deborah Forte.
Made for a reported 180 million dollars, the film took about 372 million dollars worldwide, a return that fell short of its cost. On IMDb it holds 6.1 out of 10 from roughly 203,000 votes, and on TMDB it also sits at 6.1 from a much smaller base of about 5,000. A critics' rating of 5.8 from 194 reviews places it close to the audience scores, indicating a generally mixed response across all three measures.
What's left behind the scenes
- The film is based on Philip Pullman’s novel “Northern Lights” (1995).
- Initially, Chris Weitz was planned to direct the film adaptation of the fairy tale, but he refused due to the excessive technical difficulties associated with filming. The producers then invited Anand Tucker, known for the film “Shopgirl.” However, he later also left the project, and Weitz again took over the filming.
- The film used three alethiometers. One was closed, the main needle moved in another, and all the needles were working in the third.
- Philip Pullman, the author of the 'His Dark Materials' series, originally envisioned Nicole Kidman exclusively in the role of Mrs. Coulter.
- Filming began in London on September 4, 2006.
- The film's costume designer, Ruth Myers, developed over 600 costumes specifically for the film.
- Religious organizations (such as the Catholic League) condemned the film for the author's anti-clerical stance and allusions to the Catholic Church. The Vatican's official newspaper, "l’Osservatore Romano", published an article criticizing both the film and Philip Pullman's book trilogy, describing his world as "cold and soulless, devoid of hope."
- Daniel Craig, who plays the mysterious Lord Asriel, has previously worked with both actresses in the project: Eva Green in 'Casino Royale' and Nicole Kidman in 'The Invasion'.
- In early 2007, it was reported that New Line Cinema had hired renowned screenwriter Hossein Amini ('Dove Tails') to begin work on the script for the second part of 'The Golden Compass'.
- According to the book: Alethiometer – a special device that reveals the truth and predicts the future, capable of providing an answer to a question mentally formulated by its user. Amber energy – a type of electrical current used in the world of Lyra. Bolvangar – a northern Experimental Station where the Oblation Board hid the children they had kidnapped. Daemon – the soul of every person, embodied as an animal that resembles them. In childhood, daemons constantly change their appearance, reflecting the ever-changing nature of children. In adulthood, they take a permanent form that best reflects the person's inner world. Dust – mysterious high-concentration particles discovered in the Arctic Circle region. The Oblation Board – henchmen of the recruitment center responsible for the disappearance of children across the country. Gyptians – a nomadic tribe living in kayals (long boats) on the canal. Severance – the process of separating a human being from their daemon. Jordan College – a prosperous college in Oxford, serving as the primary center for the study of experimental theology. The Magisterium – a city council and the main governing body in Lyra's world. It currently attempts to control the entire population, thereby destroying freedom of choice and labeling Lord Asriel's research into Dust as heresy. The Northern Lights (Polar Lights or in Latin 'Aurora Borealis') – streams of charged solar particles of exceptional density and strength, invisible on their own but causing a glow when they interact with the atmosphere. Lord Asriel believes that behind the Northern Lights lies a majestic city located right in the sky. The North – a place of stunning beauty and diversity, yet fraught with danger; it is home to armored bears, Tartars, witches, and many other wondrous creatures. In a remote northern settlement, Lord Asriel managed to photograph Dust and the silhouette of another world reflected in the Northern Lights. Panserbjørne – armored bears that inhabit the northern region of Svalbard. Although they do not have daemons, panserbjørne wear special armor that serves as the embodiment of their soul. Photogram – a type of photographic image; a slide. Samoyeds – northern hunters who kidnap Lyra and bring her to Bolvangar. Spectres (spinning things) – small mechanical insects rumored to consist of some mechanism and stolen souls. Svalbard – a cold, treacherous northern region inhabited by armored bears. Tartars – a warlike tribe living in the north.
- According to Dakota Blue Richards, who played the role of Lyra, the most difficult stage of creating the film was the green screen filming.
Auditions in India
Casting calls in USA
Castingi w Polsce
Кастинги в Україні
