| The Golden Compass | |
|---|---|
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:The_Golden_Compass.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Chris Weitz |
| Screenplay by | Chris Weitz |
| Based on | Northern Lights by Philip Pullman |
| Produced by | Bill Carraro Deborah Forte |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Henry Braham |
| Edited by | |
| Music by | Alexandre Desplat |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by |
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Release dates |
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Running time | 113 minutes[1] |
| Countries | United States United Kingdom[2] |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $180 million[1] |
| Box office | $372.2 million[1] |
The Golden Compass is a 2007 fantasy adventure film film written and directed by Chris Weitz that is based on the 1995 novel Northern Lights by Philip Pullman, the first installment in Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, which was published as The Golden Compass in the United States. It stars Dakota Blue Richards as Lyra Belacqua, Nicole Kidman as Marisa Coulter, and Daniel Craig as Lord Asriel, alongside Sam Elliott, Ian McKellen, and Eva Green. In the film, Lyra joins a race of water-workers and seafarers on a trip to the far North in search of children kidnapped by the Gobblers, a group supported by the world's rulers, the Magisterium.
Development on the film was first announced in February 2002, but difficulties over the screenplay and the selection of a director (including Weitz departing and returning) caused significant delays. Richards was cast as Lyra in June 2006, with Kidman and Craig joining soon thereafter. Principal photography began that September and lasted for several months, with filming locations including Shepperton Studios and also on location throughout England, Switzerland, and Norway. With a production budget of US$180 million, it is one of New Line Cinema's most expensive films,[3] and prior to release, the film faced criticism from secularist and religious organisations due to the source material's anti-religious themes, which caused several changes to the film in post-production.[4]
The Golden Compass premiered in London on 27 November 2007, and was theatrically released in the United Kingdom by Entertainment Film on 5 December and in the United States by New Line Cinema on 7 December. The film received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for the casting and visual effects, but criticism for its pacing, characterization, and screenplay, drawing unfavorable comparisons to Pullman's novel. The Golden Compass has grossed $372 million worldwide but was a box office disappointment in North America which directly contributed to New Line Cinema's 2008 restructuring.[5] The film won Best Visual Effects at the 80th Academy Awards and Best Special Visual Effects at the 61st British Academy Film Awards.
- ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
mojowas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "The Golden Compass". bfi. Archived from the original on 27 May 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
- ^ McClintock, Pamela; McNary, Dave (6 December 2007). "Will 'Compass' find audiences?". Variety. Archived from the original on 31 December 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
- ^ Josh Tyler (22 July 2009). "Comic Con: Chris Weitz Calls Golden Compass A Terrible Experience". Cinema Blend. Archived from the original on 15 July 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ Staff and agencies (29 February 2008). "New Line merged with Warner Bros Pictures". The Guardian. London.